Singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer David Stücken, frontman for LA-based rock band David and The Curse, is set to release his debut, An Epitaph For Love. He wrote and produced the autobiographical album; Stücken has said that recording music is his therapy, and on his debut, he tells tales about battling personal demons and feeling the deepest love through an anti-hero lens.

Hometown: I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Orange County.

Homebase: I live on the beach in Long Beach, CA

What's the story behind "Diamond Ring"?

To me, the definition of love is when two people cross paths and decide to unite together down one singular path in perfect harmony. "Diamond Ring" reflects a time in my life when I experienced this sense of harmony with a love of my own. "Take the high road now pretty lady" is a lyric speaking about that path that two people embark on together on the road of life. "Diamond Ring" is a straight up love song written while in love by a hopeless romantic like myself.

Why call yourselves David and The Curse?

"The Curse" represents the drive to keep being relentless in a market of music that is extremely difficult to pursue. I won't stop. I have no reservations. I will continue regardless of trends, the market or the status quo. I'm relentless in my fight to make my songs heard.

Describe your music to people who haven't heard it before.

Refined. Listen to it. The beauty of songwriting is that every listener hears their own meaning.

Why is your album called An Epitaph For Love?

It was inspired by unrequited love and also by the violent state of the world we live in. From the news you see so much anger, and that is something that echoes in this record.

How did you discover music?

I was four years old and singing songs in pre-school. I really liked "The Phantom Of The Opera" and I sang “The Music Of The Night" for all of the teachers. I also saw Jerry Lee Lewis as a kid at Knott's Berry Farm and remember being really angry that I wasn't old enough to dance with the hot teenage girl in front of me. I mean, I was only fucking 4, but I loved rock 'n roll even then!

Music was everything to me. I just knew music was me. I wanted to connect with the world through music and the only way the world connected to me was through music.

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

It was called “Heatheralla." I wrote it about a girl I had a crush on. I guess some things never change.

Does living in SoCal influence your songwriting?

I don't know because I've just grown up here. I was born with the California Dream already in my head. I remember driving up La Cienga Blvd. and thinking as a young kid, "This is where I want to be. I want to play these clubs. I want to work here.”

You've played with TSOL, the Buzzcocks and other titans of SoCal hardcore. How did you end up playing the music that you do -- which is pretty far removed from hardcore?

Well that's just refinement. I have my own sound.

What's your songwriting process?

I write when I least expect. I'll write a song while driving in LA traffic. I record rough lyrics and then add music. For me, songwriting is absolutely nothing I have to force. It just happens. I add the guitars and drums and everything else later. But, I usually write the chorus first.

Who are your musical heroes?

I LOVE the Rolling Stones for their longevity. I also love Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. I could list for days musicians that I love but this interview would take too long. Ok... Don Henley is my favorite singer of rock 'n roll. He can out-perform anyone. Now, that being said, Lightin’ Hopkins (the ol blues man) has a thing of his own. And everything in rock 'n roll is a building block.

Do you have a Myspace story as a musician that you love to tell?

I grew up in the days where MySpace was the main "artery" of music. We used to count our plays. I have a lot of respect for MySpace and thank you for taking the time to talk to me. MySpace changed the industry. You guys made it possible for unknown bands to have an outlet to broadcast their music worldwide.