In several days, DTE will host one of Metro-Detroit’s most anticipated rock tours of the season.

Shinedown, who’s accompanied by Puddle of Mudd, Chevelle, Sevendust, and 10 Years will grace the stage on Saturday starting at 5:00. Barry Kerch, who’s the drummer and an original member of Shinedown, opened up on the band’s success and history.

OP: How did Shinedown get their name?

Kerch: “The name came from an old painting that was in our old bass players house. And when we were looking for names for the band our singer said ‘Hey man, that would look really cool if you had a light shining down on that painting.’ Then it got shortened and became Shinedown.”

OP: How long have you all known each other? How’d you meet?

Kerch: “We initially met in Jacksonville, Florida. Then we lost some members, did some minor changes and then we picked up a new bass player and a new guitar player. And We’ve been together about 10 years. It’s a long sorted journey.”

What makes this tour so special, especially for this year, is that it didn’t get cancelled. At the beginning of the 2010 concert season, several mainstream headliners, including Christina Aguilera and Limp Bizkut, were forced to cancel tours due to low ticket sales. And Kerch believes their selection of bands allowed for a successful tour.

“All these bands are friends of ours. And bands we’ve wanted to tour with and haven’t had the opportunity,” the University of Central Florida graduate said. “We’re lucky enough to pick bands people really want to see because we’re one of the summer tours that are actually selling tickets.”

When it comes to touring some may wonder what it’s like to be on a bus going from city to city. But as Kerch explains, there’s more positives than negatives.

OP: What didn’t you expect when you started touring?

Kerch: “I didn’t expect the amount of work that it takes to tour. I think a lot of people look     at it and expect it to be glamourous which it can be at some points but overall it’s     a lot of hard work. We probably spend 300 days out on the road. It’s a lot of time     in cramped spaces and time away from people you love.”

OP: What do you enjoy most about performing live?

Kerch: “The crowd response. It’s better than any drug in the world. You get up there and you feel something. And every night it’s going to be different even though you’re playing the same songs over and over again every night. It’s in your blood. It’s absolutely amazing.”

OP: Are there certain cities you enjoy going to the most?

Kerch: “Where ever they show up! As long as they show up every night it’s going to be a great time. I love New Orleans. Historic cities really. But if it’s got a cool vibe, and cool places to go a chill out, and good down home bar to finish the night off with, that’s my kind of place.”

Shinedown delivers bass pounding performances with a metal edge. Couple that with well thought out lyrics and a genuine love for music and fans, it’s easy to see how they would find success in Detroit. Before the band’s album sales reached the multimillions, Shinedown was playing in smaller venues, like Harpos in Detroit.

Now having their feet grace the stages of all types of Detroit venues, there was only one question to ask. How do Detroit fans differ from other fans?

“Fans from the Detroit area and even into Chicago are avid rock fans and they get into the concerts a lot more. Detroit seems to be a little bit more aggressive than most,” Kerch said. “And that could be because it’s just a hard workin’ town. There’s a difference, and it’s good difference. It almost reminds me of Europe, because Europe gets into the shows a lot more than some places do here in the states.”

If the forecast stays true, and mother nature doesn’t take a turn for worst, Saturday should be a perfect day for a concert.  DTE is expecting a large turn out but tickets are as low as $20 for a lawn seat. With free parking, that’s $5 to see each band, three of which are legitimate headliners by themselves. For more information on ticket prices visit www.palacenet.com