After impressing us here at Backseat Mafia with their past single, ‘Violently Blue‘ and ‘Die’ we had to learn a little more about the South London alt-rock newcomers Dead Air before they drop their forthcoming sophomore EP, ‘Elements’, due out on the 7th of February 2025 via Fly Tip Records.
Give us a potted history of the band
Lyle and Rich met in the halls of Leeds University where they started the band, no name as of yet. They had a few practices on campus, mostly doing covers and coming up with the beginnings of original ideas. Lyle was the first of the two to move down to South London where he came to my (Reuben) family’s record shop. He came in looking for punk, which I had none of, but trying to make a sale we kept chatting music.
We spoke about playing guitar (I had not discovered the bass then) and on a second visit he came back and asked if I would join the band. After watching a vid of Rich playing with the foo fighters and hearing what the lads had in the locker, I said yes without any hesitation. This all happened a couple months before Covid kicked off, so we didn’t really start hitting our stride until the world opened back up again.
Who inspired you to start making music
My start in music was inspired by my sister, she started the piano back when we were 9 and I despised how much attention she got within the family. So through sheer jealousy I picked up the piano and constantly strived to keep up with her musical talent. She then picked up the violin so I in turn started playing the viola. This went on for a while.
And the one or maybe two records that inspired you artistically
Songs for the deaf by Queens of the stone age has had a huge effect on the band’s writing especially in the early days. The driving riffs, distinct harmonies and dry sound of the record has had a profound effect on the writing and production of every record we’ve worked on.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say
It’s always difficult to say and I think the bands which we sound like have really changed with this new record. But QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE are a constant for us, TURNSTILE is another band which we have taken a lot of inspiration from.
Tell us about your new track
“Violently Blue” explores the idea of two beaten and broken souls who are plagued by circumstance. As one half unravels, so does the other, revealing the fragility of their new bond in the shadow of inescapable prior trauma”. The outro ‘A different place / A different time’ acknowledges how their bond could have been salvaged, if they only had the luxury of different circumstances.
We’re releasing the track with FLY TIP RECORDS, who have wholeheartedly taken us on and given us the freedom to focus on the art and how we want the world to see us.
Where can we get hold of it
You can find it on all major streaming platforms and you can support the band by purchasing it on Bandcamp
Tell us how you write
The writing process has changed a lot over each project. Currently we work individually, building the bare bones of a song at home. Then we bring our favourite demos to the practice room where everyone adapts the parts to their own style. The key thing we’ve tried to do is see out the original writer’s vision before we start messing with the song too much.
Tell us about your live show what would be your dream gig
Our live show is hectic, there’s no click track so we play faster than the recordings. We’re here to give a high energy performance, be covered in sweat and leave it all on stage. We just get lost in the music on stage, it’s one of the few places in life you can really let loose.
In terms of our dream show, naturally QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE would be a huge act to work with. Here’s hoping we get that chance. Also sharing the stage with DEFTONES would be a dream come true.
What can we expect from you in the near future
We have a release coming out in January, which we are so excited to show to the world. It’s the beginning of a new era for DEAD AIR. With that, thank you to FLY TIP RECORDS for getting us over the line with the project and setting us up for an insane 2025!
Tell us your favourite records that are rocking your headphones/tour bus/stereo
Easily Khublai Khan “The Hammer” an absolutely brutal track with a great two step section in between. If you’re looking for primal, headbanging beats this is the band for you.
Also “Rockman” by Mk.gee. A fantastic writer who’s really pushing the sound of guitar music. Much softer than Khublai Khan
Check out the bands single Teeth Grinder, below:
Pre order the EP here
The band are also set to embark on a UK tour. See below for dates
24.02: The Hug & Pint, Glasgow
25.02: Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
27.02: The Adelphi, Hull
01.03: Little Buildings, Newcastle
06.03: The Castle, Manchester
07.03: The Victoria, Birmingham
08.03: The Smokehouse, Ipswich
08-10.05: FOCUS Wales
