A Dirty Dozen with MICHAEL DUNN from WHO THEY FEAR – June 2026

According to a recent press release: “Rising heavy rock/metal band Who They Fear have released their new single and music video, “Whiteout,” marking the latest chapter in the band’s evolving sound and rapidly growing momentum. Combining punishing instrumentals, aggressive vocals, soaring melodic hooks, and atmospheric textures, “Whiteout” showcases the band’s ability to blur genre lines while delivering something emotionally authentic and sonically intense. Built from lived experience, Who They Fear’s music explores themes of struggle, resilience, reflection, and personal growth without sacrificing accessibility or impact. Over the past several months, the band has steadily unveiled four new singles, each signaling a refined creative direction and a bold new era for the group.” We get singer Michael 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?

“Whiteout” is a special release for us tbh because we wanted to try out different lyrics, different source material and different influences! When listening to the song it’s probably going to take you a handful of times to pick out certain riffs, pick out certain lyrics and phrases, this song is just something completely different than what we have ever released before!

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

Warped Tour and going to concerts really got me into music personally! Meeting Matty Mullins, Spencer Charnas, and many more musicians via vips and seeing them perform and hearing how much they loved their careers, really pushed me into this journey tbh!

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

2018, the Broken tour with Memphis May Fire and Ice Nine Kills! Meeting the bands, talking with them, getting advice and hearing about their careers really pushed me towards becoming a musician and starting my own band!

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

Probably Matty Mullins because his music is the reason I’m a vocalist, I’m in love with this genre and honestly why I’m even alive! The Hollow and Challenger truly saved my life!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Video games; I’m actually a really big nerd!

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?

Very heavy but melodic metalcore with 2010s Warped Tour core influences! One comparison I’ve gotten and I haven’t been a fan of in the past was being called deathcore or hardcore or just labeled as the wrong genre! I never wanna be that guy who makes a issue out of it but it definitely makes me cringe when people see our set and come up to me with “you guys were one of the best deathcore bands I’ve ever seen”, it’s almost like they don’t even understand what they are saying.

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?

Um probably Connor tbh, he’s probably the most out going one in the band next to Nick.

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

The last big one was when I played with Crown The Empire and the entire band talked to me and took photos and videos with me! But they also were blown away by my elbow Crown the empire tattoo and the whole overall encounter has just sat with me in the best way possible.

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?

Best part about being a musician is honestly meeting your fans and building those relationships! If I wasn’t a musician I would be playing video games for a living as I have played MLG in the past.

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?

I feel like I’ve been asked every question ever so I’m not sure about this one! The question I’m tired of hearing is “why Metalcore?” Like why this genre!! An to me it’s almost kinda pointless to ask that question because the obvious answer is, this is a genre I love and listen too! But idk maybe that’s just a me thing to dislike that question.

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?

I would have kicked out my old drummer a lot sooner! I regret not cutting the problem of the band in the butt a lot sooner, but everything happens for a reason and that’s why I am here doing what I love today!

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?

The Hollow or Challenger, I would love to be there when Memphis made this album just to see how they managed it! I’ve always been curious about the process!

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Category: Interviews