DEAD TO ME
by Christer Davidsson & Tobias Pettersson, June 2006
Hello Dead To Me! How are you? Chicken: We are doing supremely awesome. Thanks for asking!
What happened to One Man Army? How come you decided to disband?
It's a secret. If I told you, it would crush your soul because you couldn't handle the pure evil of it's truth. It is a secret that cannot be spoken of, for there exists many cultures across the globe who's very survival depends on this secret never being revealed.
Whats the main difference between Dead To Me and One Man Army?
I guess the main difference is that they are two different bands. Different members and different songs. DTM has two singers and OMA had one. Musically I suppose there isn't a huge difference, but there isn't a huge similiarity either.
You got your first album coming out on july 11th called Cuban Ballerina on Fat Wreck Chords. Releasing your first album on FAT is a pretty a big thing, dont you think?
Yeah, it is an honor for sure. We are very excited to be releasing our record with those guys.
How did you get in touch with the guys at FAT?
We are very good friends with everyone at Fat. They have been coming to our shows since day one, and have been very supportive. Not just because they like our band, but because we are friends. As soon as we started to demo songs they expressed interest and of course we were excited about that, so when it came time to record our album they said they wanted to release it. It was pretty much a no brainer for us. We said yes and the rest is history.
After the release of Cuban Ballerina whats the plan? Any shows in Europe coming up?
Well once the record comes out we plan on touring pretty extensively throughout the U.S., and yes we definitely plan on coming to Europe in the near future, so be on the lookout for us!!
One Man Army was a pretty big deal. Do you feel that theres a pressure from the crowd or do you feel that you can take advantage of it?
One Man Army's apartment smells of rich mohogany and leather bound books. They want to be on you.
One Man Army did a tour over here with Frontkick. How was touring Europe different from touring the U.S.?
Way less rednecks over there and the people in Europe are way easier to understand than the people in the southern United States.
Apart from Frontkick, do you like any other European bands?
There are a ton of European bands that we love. The newest Randy record is amazing, and we all just bought that Refused DVD. Good shit.
How did you get in touch with eachother in the band? We know that Jack & Brandon were in One Man Army, and that Chicken is in Western Addiction. Who's Ian?
Good question. We thought he was with you! Actually, Ian is Chicken's cousin.
Dead To Me is a pretty new band to everyone. How would you describe the DTM sound? It's probably an injustice to try and describe our sound with mere words. Can you describe the rain to the parched soil of the Sahara? Can you describe the sea to the clouds over the Amazon? Hardly, my friend. Oh wait, sorry...I thought I was that idiot from Angels and Airwaves there for a second......ummm, we are a punk band that plays punk songs. Plain and simple.
How come you will release a full-length right away? Most bands release a 7 or a split at first. Have Dead To Me been a band on the side of OMA and WA all along?
You guessed it!! OMA and WA were all just practice for DTM!!
How did you come up with the name Dead To Me?
Brandon and our friend Noah Levine came up with it. They think they are tough and would always go around saying shit like, "Who, that guy? He's dead to me". They watch too many episodes of The Sopranos.
If you were running a webzine like Mutiny, whats the first question you would ask yourselves, and what would you answer?
I would ask why DTM sounds nothing like OMA or WA. I would answer that we are punks that love tons of different punk bands, so we have tons of influences and that it's funny what can happen to peoples songwriting when they play with different groups of people.
What are you all up to when youre not playing music? We hang out with each other a bunch and go ride bikes, go to shows and make fun of Jack for playing Planetside online. Brandon owns a construction company so he satys busy wit that cuz some one in te band has to have a real job.
Any news on Western Addiction?
Well, Chad is in Europe right now with his other band the Radio Reelers, Ken is recording a record with his other band Enemy You, Chicken has been busy with DTM, and Jason is in the Gimme Gimmes now, so we haven't been super active lately. We are all writing songs though on our own time and we want to record another record next year for sure.
So, whats the next move for Dead To Me, apart from the release of the album?
Well, tomorrow I'm gonna go to work and then I have dinner plans. Friday my roommate is having an art show party and this weekend is supposed to be sunny so probably lots of sunbathing naked as a band. I get to oil up Jack. Yes!! Called it!! That means Ian has to oil up Brandon!!! I win.
Would you like to add anything before we say goodbye?
Yes, thank you very much for the interview and for doing your web zine. I wish more kids would start there own zines instead of reading every one elses and complaining about them. You rule.
Thank you for answering all the questions! Good luck!!!
Word up!
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