Before Sevendust’s sold-out show last Friday at the House of Blues, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, the Weekender got the chance to sit down with Clint Lowery, guitarist and backing vocalist.

Weekender: You guys recorded “Live and Loud” in Chicago. What’s it like coming back to Chicago?

Clint Lowery: It’s always good, man. This is probably one of our favorite markets. There’s really no words to say about Chicago. It’s just great.

W: What’s your favorite city to play?

CL: It’s different. There are some cities that are just parallels. Boston, Chicago, New York have been great cities for us.

W: Why are you back to smaller venues after the arena tour with Creed and Fuel?

CL: This is where we are most comfortable. Our fan base is this big so we can’t go play 20,000-seat arenas. It’s where we belong right now.

W: The new album, “Animosity,” is a little softer than your previous albums.

CL: Yeah. We definitely put some softer elements in it. We just wanted the genre to be more showcased. I guess it’s the natural progress when you get older you start exploring the different options. We just go with what feels natural for us.

W: You guys went back home to record “Animosity.” What was it like being back home after recording the others basically on tour?

CL: Well, we did the drums and bass in Atlanta, but did a majority of the recording in Orlando. We just wanted to be in a nice atmosphere. It was great.

W: Is there any song on the album that was more personal for you?

CL: “Xmas Day” is a personal issue with me. It was really kind of a painful element to write about. The subject was really personal. That song for me really stands out.

W: How have you changed from the first album to “Animosity?”

CL: You don’t want to paint the same picture over and over again. We just keep going for different stuff.

W: What’s it like touring with Gravity Kills and Flaw?

CL: We are a lot more musically similar with Flaw, and Gravity Kills does their thing. You don’t want too much of the same thing.

W:W: Who would you like to tour with?

CL: Nine Inch Nails would be pretty wild. We’ve never played a show with Korn. That would be cool if they ever come out of hiatus.

W: What would you say is your crowning achievement as a band?

CL: Woodstock was a big deal. It was surreal. It was over before we knew it.

W: Was that the same day as the fires?

CL: Yeah. We had the luxury of playing on that crazy day. That stuff was just stupid.

W: Where are you guys headed after this tour?

CL: We will finish up the tour with these guys and then get ready for Australia. We will be out with Creed again.