A Dirty Dozen with PAT A.V. from DEAD AIR NETWORK – November 2026

According to a recent press release: “Dead Air Network will release their new single, “Burn This After Reading,” on November 13, 2026. Recorded at Rock Hard Studios in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, the song explores the frustration of competing narratives, unreliable information and the uneasy feeling that the more you try to understand, the less certain you become. Rooted in punk and post-punk in the tradition of The Damned, Dead Air Network is built on the songwriting partnership of Pat A.V. and Dave H., who have been writing and playing together since the mid-1990s. With Chad Phillips of Blanks 77 joining on drums in April 2026, the band’s latest chapter brings decades of shared history into a steady run of new releases.” We get Pat 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?

I had the riff for years. Just never had the right words to it. One day I played the riff for Dave, and he recorded it on his phone. By the next time we got together he had words written. We’ve been incorporating more synthesizers into our music. We added some synths for texture and dropped in my backup vocals behind Dave’s vocals that give it a distinct Dead Air Network sound.

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

I feel I’ve always been into music since I was born, but one definite memory I have is being 5 years old and hearing “Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League. I instantly recognized the drama within the song and was like that is cool.

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

There are too many to mention but I like everything from Joy Division to the Damned to The Blitz to Screeching Weasel to Danzig.

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

I would love to work with Rick Rubin. I think his career speaks for itself.

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

Making music and constantly thinking of ideas for our songs is really how I unwind. Also spending time with my family.

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?

Dead Air Network draws elements from a lot of different bands. I like vintage punk rock and goth music. So that’s really the basis. Whether it sounds like that is for the audience to decide. I had a review once that compared my sound to Alan Vega and Suicide. Which I thought was odd.

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?

We’re usually in a more social atmosphere at a bar or something.

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

I’ve never been star struck. I don’t really care about that sort of thing.

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?

Just being able to write cool songs and express yourself musically is a really underrated talent. If I couldn’t play music, I would want to produce it.

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 don’t really need to have any questions asked. I don’t really look for attention. I’m always down to talk about 80’s stuff. like punk bands, video games, retro toys, and stuff like that.

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?

Everything that has happened has led me to this exact point where I’m at right now. I feel I’m right where I need to be.

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 Damned Phantasmagoria. Came out in 1985 and is one of my favorite records of all time. It’s got a magical quality to it.

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Category: Interviews