A Dirty Dozen with DEAD ROMANTIC – April 2021

According to a recent press release: “British rock band DEAD ROMANTIC has announced the release of their debut single “Yesterday.” Dead Romantic’s full-length debut studio album will be globally released on June 25, 2021. Although the modern rock crew are only freshly formed, they have already amassed a dedicated fanbase.  Expressing a sound that draws from the heaviest riffs to radio pop sensibilities, the quartet hits you with a sonic melting pot reminiscent of such acts as 30 Seconds to Mars, Bring Me The Horizon, Foo Fighters, Bad Flower and Architects. The band’s lead reveal “Yesterday,” combines powerful riffs, crushing grooves and anthemic vocals. Dead Romantic is Dan Taylor (vocals), Chris Horrocks (bass), Adam Breeze (drums), and multi-platinum record producer Mike Krompass (lead guitar). ” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our single “Yesterday” is available everywhere and is going to radio as we speak. We’re super excited about it and in just a few days we’ve hit over 100,000 views. I know that doesn’t mean much but being a new band, we’re very excited about it. Its a great start for what’s to come for us. We really feel like there’s something for everyone on the album. “Yesterday” is a song we think everyone can relate to because it’s about not letting the past consume you and being strong enough to say ‘no I’m not going to allow somebody else to make me feel that way.’ The video was really fun to shoot too, there’s so much awesome shit going on. I don’t want to give too much away but it looks awesome, if you’re reading this you should go watch it as soon as you’re done. 😉 I think that people will find little nuggets every time they listen because the track is full of ear candy, percussive elements, synth parts that might not be heard on the first listen. Even in repeated sections there’s always something new as the song builds. As far as treats for the die hard fans to find, we’ll leave those to them to find, we can’t just give it up, it would ruin the fun!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Dan: Everyone in the band probably has a different answer for this one, but for me it was a point in my life where I felt I was a little bit weird compared to other kids at school because I wanted to dress a certain way and listen to rock and metal and stuff, then I grew up a little and realised that I was stupid to give a fuck what they thought. After that realisation I then had the confidence to front a band, I put myself on stage and I loved it so much that I never looked back.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Mike: For me Michael Jackson was definitely an early musical influence, MJ really opened my eyes to the world of musical hybrids and seemed to always blend rhythmic and rock. There was always some killer guitar shred master with him on the tracks or live, whether it be Van Halen or some other guitar hero. The Beatles of course, for song writing and then Shred guitar god’s and hair bands LOL… Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather and Nuno are likely my top three players… That being said my influences span from 40’s jazz to modern metal bands and everything imaginable in between. There’s never just one for me… there’s too many amazing talents that have had an influence on my life.

Dan: I’d have to agree with Michael Jackson, I used to dance around my room as a kid haha. Ones that stick out in my memory are Slipknot, they really opened my eyes to heavy music; the self titled album was one of the first albums I think I ever owned. And in terms of live shows, I went to see Taking Back Sunday in Liverpool when I was like 16, and Adam Lazzara blew my mind. He’s influenced me so much as a performer and the way I express myself on stage.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

As a band we’d have to say, in no particular order, 30 Seconds to Mars, Bring Me the Horizon, Foo Fighters, Architects and probably Paramore. However, there are so many artists and bands that influence us all individually so five is definitely not enough haha!

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Mike: Man, that’s too tough… Paul McCartney? Dave Grohl? Yungblud? Hmmmmm… I would say Yungblud would be a perfect collab for Dead Romantic from a sonic and stylistic perspective.

Dan: I would love to write with David Bowie. That would be an amazing adventure. But that would probably be a little tough now (RIP) so I’d say let’s get a Yorkshire supergroup together, Bring Me the Horizon, Yungblud, While She Sleeps and Dead Romantic on a northern banger!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Dan: There’s a little bit of pop, a little bit of metal and a lot of rock that we hope can connect with people around the globe. The album is pretty eclectic but its equal parts heavy and catchy. You’ll sing along, and then you’ll throw yourself around like a maniac haha. We’ve had really positive feedback on the tracks so far, so nothing cringe. But people will say what they’re going to say at the end of the day. They’re entitled to their opinions and were cool with that. We’re just going to do our thing.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Dan: We take turns getting the brews in. As long as there’s a constant stream of tea and coffee there’s no issue. Just so long as Chris doesn’t get near the JD, we don’t all want covering in puke! HA!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Mike: I was 23 and I was playing with Elton John and I shouted over to the sound guy “Hey, can I get some more of Elton in my monitor?” And I was like “Fuck I’m playing with Elton John!”

Dan: I saw Keith Lemon in a supermarket in Spain. Mental.

Adam: Getting the thumbs up from Gene Simmons before hitting the stage was pretty crazy.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Mike: The best part of being a musician is being able to do what you love every day. And if I couldn’t be a musician I’d probably get into archeology or ancient history.

Dan: Yeah music is life really, every day doing this is a gift. But if I couldn’t make music, my dream job would be acting or something, some other job where it pays to be a bit of a weirdo haha.

Adam: Down hill mountain biker!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Mike: We’re not tired of answering any questions because we’re open to talk about anything, but I would much rather answer questions about the creative process, how we get the sounds we create, what gear we use etc. rather than questions about who we would compare ourselves to. It seems like everyone is always asking for comparisons but the best bands have no comparison. Being described as a band that has a unique identity I feel is the sign of a great band. Not that we aren’t flattered by some of the comparisons and are more than grateful to be able to get our music out to be in a position for anyone to care to ask us anything at all :).

Dan: A great question is always “Would you like a cup of tea?” And the answer is of course “Yes”. But I wouldn’t complain about any interview questions I’ll talk to anyone about anything, I’m happy to have the opportunity to talk to people about my music.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Mike: All of us would probably have a lot, but that’s life and those kind of things lead you to other things that may not have happened if you weren’t in that situation. So you take it as a learning experience and move on. I’m not keen on dwelling on the past but fuck have I ever done some really idiotic things.

Dan: Most people would say they’ve made mistakes or missteps in their lives but they mould us into who we are. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the stupid shit I’ve done in my life.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Mike: Any Beatles record, because they revolutionised modern recording. All the gear we use now was invented with the Beatles. And that’s when an engineer would really need to know their shit.

Adam: Nirvana – Nevermind would be awesome, or Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age to see how they got some of those sounds. I’d just love to see the creative process.

Adam and Mike: John Mayer, just love him as an artist.

BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?

Dan: I miss both playing and going to live shows, it’s the best part of music. I also miss being able to go out to eat and go to the pub for a pint with mates and family and stuff, although I bet that’s what a lot of people miss.

Mike: I miss people and connecting, live music and just feeling free to do as you wish without the worry of getting ill or doing something illegal by living your life.

Adam: Getting sweaty in a room full of people who are there for the same reason you are, playing music as loud as possible and losing yourself in pure musical ecstasy.

DEAD ROMANTIC LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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Category: Interviews