Interview: The Dangerous Summer
Denver-based rock band The Dangerous Summer have unleashed their new single ‘All I Ever Wanted Was A Chance To Know Myself’. This is the second single from their upcoming LP ‘Coming Home’ which is due out later this year via Rude Records. We recently had a chat with the duo to get to know them a little better.
Who would you choose if you could share a bill with any band?
Kings of Leon. I think Violent Soho from Australia would be a close second. A friend of mine introduced me to the band in 2008. I think the first thing I heard was “Molly’s Chambers” from Youth and Young Manhood. It was raw, grungy, garage rock, and all the band members looked straight out of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. I’ve loved every album since then in different ways. They all show growth and maturity, addiction and recovery, and it’s one of the only bands I can put on shuffle and love every song. Matthew Followill’s guitar playing is insanely unique, and I draw a lot of influence from his lead lines. I love the fact that a lot of their old albums were recorded live, and that’s probably the reason we try to do minimal takes when we’re recording. Even the accidents become part of the song.
Any advice for musicians or bands just starting up?
Don’t be afraid to be misunderstood until you figure out your sound. Chances are people may not like your first body of work, and neither will you sometimes. I have a hard time listening to my old bands, but I can tell it was all a progression to how I play now. Honestly, just have fun and don’t think about anything other than finding buddies who want to do the same thing. I obsessed over all the local bands in my area, went to as many shows as possible (even before I could play), and then practised in my parents’ basement until I was ready to start showing songs to my friends. If your music is honest and you believe in it, chances are others will start to as well.
What Was the Inspiration behind your video for “Coming Home”?
Our good buddy Pat Lawler joined us on our last US tour, and he had a few different ideas for music videos. Once we decided that “Coming Home” would be the first single, he started to check out different locations along the route back to LA, and he found a national park outside of Roswell, New Mexico. Usually, you have to pull permits to shoot at a location like this, but the park ranger was cool and let us set up anywhere. It was super hot and sunny out when we started, but as we got our gear out and started to film a massive storm came in behind us and we rolled with it. We shot for about 20 or 30 minutes before we had to start packing up. Once we finished loading, it started pouring rain and the lightning was really close. Luckily, we caught some of that in the background during takes and it all made it into the video.
What song are you most excited about on the upcoming record?
I’m all over the place lately, but I think my favourite song at the moment is “Someday”. It hits home for me because it’s about being on the road, missing your girl and missing home in general. There are so many moments we’re not around for as musicians, and you try not to think about it but it’s always there. You miss birthdays, weddings, funerals, and maybe even your kids’ first steps. Luckily Facetime has helped a bit, but it’s not the same as being there. It weighs on you after a while.
What’s everyone’s role in the band?
AJ Perdomo is our singer/lyricist/bass player, Josh Withenshaw on guitar, Christian Zawacki on drums, and Matt Kennedy(myself) on guitar and keys. Our new record “Coming Home” is the first time Josh and Christian joined us in the studio, and the first time we all wrote an album together. Some of us actually met Christian on the first day, haha. We instantly started writing and the first song that came out was “Sideways”. I’m already excited about hitting the studio again as soon as possible.
