DS Release Feature: Rad Skulls on their new 7-inch “Seeing Rad”

After releasing their demo in November of 2024. The Rad Skulls (ex-members of Latterman, Bridge and Tunnel, and Daytrader) are back with a two song EP, Seeing Rad. This 7-inch features the band doing a great cover of Minor Threat’s “Seeing Red” and a new original song, “Slow Skull.” “Slow Skull” plays on the same melodic hardcore tropes as their demo, and I mean that in the best way. We caught up with the Rad Skulls to talk about Seeing Rad and what’s coming up for them.

What led you to cover Minor Threat’s “Seeing Red”?

Pat: We had been talking about doing a Minor Threat cover for a while, and then one day in the shower, I thought the Seeing Red/Seeing Rad crossover was funny enough that we had to make it happen.

Andy: We were at practice one day when Pat shared the idea of recording Minor Threat’s “Seeing Red” along with an original for a 7” and calling it Seeing Rad. He had even put together an idea for the album cover. Hard to say no to that!

What other bands would you say are influential for the band?

Pat: We all grew up listening to some crossover bands we liked—bands like Kid Dynamite and Lifetime were big ones. More contemporary bands, ranging from Carry On and Modern Life Is War to Strung Out and other Fat Wreck classics, also played a large role in shaping our sound.

Andy: I think there are a lot of bands we all grew up listening to. Pat mentioned Kid Dynamite and Lifetime. I’d add Strike Anywhere too. I was always drawn to bands that could strike a balance between fast, melodic, and aggressive.

What’s the status on the full-length you’ve been working on?

Andy: Still in the works. We’re sitting on around seven or eight songs in varying degrees of completion. Turns out two-minute punk songs can be hard to write. We’ve got an album name we’re pretty psyched about, so that’s something.

Pat: We’re still looking for the right label to potentially put out the vinyl when the time comes.

How did you get Tony Hawk to make a hype video?

Pat: Andy will say we donated to one of his charities and that he was gracious enough to make the video—but in reality, our singer Joe challenged Tony Hawk to a 360 flip mute to fakie, sealed it with a blood pact, and won. So that’s the real story.

Andy: It’s a real “Devil Went Down to Georgia” situation.

Any shows or tours coming up?

Pat: We have a show June 6th in Milwaukee at X-Ray Arcade with Counterpunch, and June 21st at The Rigby in Madison with Irish Goodbyes. Come hang out!