Dead Tired first started as a fun, informal project for its members when they first began writing together in 2014. Flash forward nearly a decade, and with a couple of albums, EPs and countless singles under their belts, it’s safe to say that the fun passion project has become so much more than that. Satan Will Follow You Home, the new album from the band (comprised of guitarists Franz Stefanik and Marco Bressette as well as bassist Nick Ball, vocalist George Pettit, and new drummer Theo McKibbon) finds them settling into a more mature, deliberate sound. That’s not to say that they’ve lost an ounce of their chaotic energy, though. Instead, they’ve harnessed it and created something that leans more into their technical side.
Satan Will Follow You Home is a beacon of growth for the tenured musicians that make up Dead Tired. The album, out this Friday, July 8th proves time and time again that the band have only begun to scratch the surface of what they’re capable of. With a handful of singles out now, and the release quickly approaching (pre-orders are available now HERE) we caught up with guitarist Franz Stefanik to discuss the album’s themes, the band’s growth throughout the songwriting process and more. Read more below.
Prelude Press: You guys are getting ready to release your new album, Satan Will Follow You Home this week! What are you most excited for fans to hear on the album?
Dead Tired: The cosmic chaos of walls of guitars and pedals, riffs that stick in your head and catchy lyrics/hooks that punch through the noise. We really dipped into this one on the sonic spectrum. Each song has its own amp/guitar/pedal configuration as well as songs featuring upright bowed bass, screeching saxophone, layered vocal harmonies and even rhythmic temple-like chants. So just kinda overall stoked for people to listen and digest this record and hear new things with each listen. There’s lots of layers of sounds to pick out!
Following Full Vol. in 2019, how do you feel you’ve grown as musicians or even just as a group of people? How has that translated into Satan Will Follow You Home?
With this record we elaborated on where we left off, sending the Dead Tired sound into a more elevated and mature atmosphere. Leaving our influences on our sleeves a little more and also flexing a bit more on the technical ability. More complex guitar riffs, shredding solos, technical rippin drums, pummeling screams, and even a few clean vocals from George in the mix. We feel we are finally finding our stride after these musical offerings.
Dead Tired started out as a very casual project, but as time has gone on, it’s clear that you’re all taking it seriously and putting out music that pushes you creatively. Was there a moment when you felt that sort of shift?
It wasn’t until recently with the departure of our previous drummer where we decided to continue and record/finish this record. At that point it was like, “hey let’s do this because we want to not because we have to.” Also we feel the songs were strong and needed to be heard. So we motored on and it almost feels like we have hit a complete reset to the band. Like a new start, especially with the forced break due to the pandemic.
How do you feel you challenged each other to push yourselves or step outside of your comfort zone when writing or playing together?
When we jam and get together it’s a no judgement zone. We want to try new things and not necessarily stick to a formula that we have used in the past. We are also so comfortable with one another that it’s very easy to be upfront and honest if what we are putting down doesn’t vibe with everyone. This record has a few sonic curveballs both instrumentally and vocally that are a perfect example of getting out of our comfort zones and just going all in. We’re not afraid of getting a little weird, that’s for sure!
Is there anything that you learned from each other when working on the new album?
We’ve learned that we are all equally important to this band. We all deliver certain strengths and we play off one another well. It was the first time I kind of realized how talented and strong everyone is too, not just musically but also as visionaries and artistic direction. Also, this record is the first time we had a new drummer in the mix and contributed to make the songs blossom in the coolest way. We hired Ian Romano (Attack in Black, Career Suicide, The Outfit) to play on the record as we departed ways with previous drummer during the pandemic. We gave Ian full creative control of the playing and wiring of drum parts. There were very few back and fourths with him, he really just kinda got it out of the gate. Was exciting to hear the songs with new and creative drums, it totally changed the dynamic of each song in the best way possible.
When you first started working on Satan Will Follow You Home, did you have any major goals in mind? Was there anything that you knew you wanted to accomplish with it?
The goal was a distraction of current events and to keep a spark alive for something we all enjoyed doing as a band/friends. This record helped some of us distract ourselves from not being able to work or do things we were used to enjoying. As a final product we wanted to show people and fans of the band that you are always capable of improving and growing as people, musicians and songwriters. Forever progressing and not just reproducing the same ol same ol stuff. Better stronger songs.
What was the most exciting or rewarding part of working on the album?
The fact we did the damn thing all ourselves (with the assistance of the record label, of course) It’s self-made, self-recorded and self-produced. All in the studio with our other guitar player Marco Bresette at his studio Deadquarters. The songs, the recordings, the art and photography. It’s a time capsule of us, a group of good friends from Hamilton Ontario immortalized in this crazy sonic journey of a record.
What would you like for fans to take away from it?
That it’s ok to try something new, not to stick to a formula. Also I hope fans can connect with that we’re trying to make better music for them to digest. To like really give a shit and bring the heat. As much as playing and writing music is for yourselves, you want people to listen to it and be like “damn they really stepped it up” gets ya stoked!
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Listen to all kinds of music, pick up an instrument, grab a pencil and draw something, create art, leave your mark behind everywhere you go. The stuff people do and create has more eyes on it than you think.
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