How Dare You dropped their new album “The King, the Clown and the Colonel” today through Anchorless Records and it is, without a doubt, their best work to date and sure to rank high on those end of year lists that everyone loves so much.
Just before the release we sent some questions to drummer, Zach Swain to find out more about the new album. We also discuss their signing to Anchorless Records, their constant battle against hypocrisy in the punk scene and how “the term ‘punk’ is too generic anymore and is for the most part dead.” Read the full interview here.
How Dare You are a day away from dropping the brand new album. Do you have any pre-release rituals/plans/drinking sessions planned?
Being old and responsible.
Not really, we all have rather complicated lives to tend too. We have put a couple years of hard work into this album so we are very anxious for everyone to hear it. We think it’s some of the best stuff we have written to date. We have a CD release show here in Orlando coming up this week. Perhaps some of us may let lose a little bit. Elliot likes to get drunk and break shit like Fred Durst.
With two vocalists, how do you decide who sings what?
That is a rather natural thing for us. It simply boils down to what works. Elliot and Justin both have polar opposite voices and ideas that they bring to they table. So we just kinda go with what works best for the song.
How does “The King, The Clown & The Colonel” differ from “Comfort Road?”
We tried to make things very, very simple. Just really concentrate on serving the song. We worked with a few faster tempos and tried to continue with a natural progression with our song writing. But I feel like the constant under lining theme to writing this record was to keep things simple and straight to the point.
“The King, The Clown…” is your first release on Anchorless Records. How did your union with Anchorless come about?
Seth and I used to play in an experimental/indie band called Hurrah. Many years ago we were actually one of the first releases on Anchorless records. I was the new guy in Hurrah and was not very familiar with the label at that time. But Seth had always spoken very highly of Neil and what he was doing with Anchorless records. So HDY’s new album was done, Anchorless was one of the first labels we contacted about possibly releasing it.
The new album is an extremely well written album, not only lyrically but the musicianship throughout the whole album is exceptional. Can you tell us a bit about writing the songs and how they come about?
Writing for us has always been a team effort. Each one of us brings an important piece of the song writing pie to the table. Justin is very good at coming up with raw ideas and pieces. Elliot is very good at adding guitar melody’s and making things sounds like us. Seth and I just argue over how many times we should play something and arrangement. It might be a slightly dysfunctional family, but it works very well for us.
Can you tell us what your favourite song on the album? And why?
For me it would probably be “Horizon.” It just came together really well in my opinion. It’s simple, to the point and its fun to play. Its one of those songs that just kinda came to us and was really easy to write. It always seems to be those songs that rise to the top.
What message do you want people to take away from the new album?
We don’t really have a message I suppose. We aren’t trying to break down any walls with what we are doing. Just write good music.
The band bio describes How Dare You fighting back against hypocrisy in the punk scene. What is the worst example you’ve seen of hypocrisy you guys have seen?
GG Allen is punk, finding a way around a problem and using humble means is punk, not giving a fuck what someone else thinks and a little bit of danger is punk. At this point in our lives we can’t live a like that every day. But I still think you can honor those ethics. I think the term “punk” is too generic anymore and is for the most part dead. It’s a music section in a record store, a certain way of doing your hair and not taking a bath.
Hypocrisy? I could be wrong, but I don’t think GG Allen ever worried about album sales, the bottom line, what shirt he was wearing on stage or what anyone thought about what they were doing musically or artistically. Now am I that punk? Fuck no, but is the rest of the scene?
How Dare You is a common phrase/feeling for almost every human. What made you choose this name in particular when you started the band?
I wish I had some kinda of witty response for that. It’s the only name we could all agree on. We had some horrible name based off some religious wall before How Dare You. It was so bad.
HDY are playing Fest this year. Who are you most looking forward to seeing and why?
For us old dudes it’s a once a year vacation to attempt to try and act half our age. Fest really is a special thing, and I hope it stays that way. In a world where liability, the bottom line, and trying to not offend some random asshole plagues any kind of event that large, its pretty impressive they are able to get that many people together and for the most part it seems like everyone leaves their, egos, politics and bullshit at home. To just come to Gainesville, get drunk, play music and have a good time.
What are three things the world should know about How Dare You?
a. 1 of our members regularly shits his pants.
b. 1 of our members constantly complains how busy he is, but it’s pretty obvious he plays words with friends all day at work and we are onto his bullshit.
c. We are old doods just trying to play music for the right reasons. I think those reasons are to have fun and not give a fuck. It makes us happy, so that’s all that matters.
If you could pick one band, from any point in music history, to cover a How Dare You song who would that be (and why)?
Bob Dylan or Neil young. They are the kings of simplicity and keeping things interesting. I would be very curious to hear that. I aspire to be able to have their wit and song writing abilities some day.
Finally, anything you’d like the readers of Dying Scene to know?
Thank you for checking us out, please give the album and listen and see you at Fest!!!
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