Post-punk rodeo core band Dead Tooth, from Queens New York mix high energy hooks, brazen lyrics and dirty sax. The band released Birthday Boohoo in October and will be on a European Tour from November 10 – December 3. Included are UK dates in London, Manchester and Nottingham on November 15, 16. and 17.
How did your band first start? Is there a story to tell about it?
It’s kind of a complex origin story. The original line up was Dylan DePice, Jason Smith, Andrew Bailey(DIIV) and myself(Zach) which started around 2018. I had somehow managed to trick my friends into playing with me for little to no money. After a few years the pandemic disembodied that line up. Dylan had a baby, Andrew moved to LA, Jason left the rock world to pursue a career in musical theater. We were sitting on this EP “Pig Pile” that I was really excited about and wanted to start playing out live as soon as things started opening up again so I started to rebuild. I was working at this kava bar in Bushwick during lockdown where I met John and Taylor. John was a regular and after 6 months of serving him coffee we realized I’d actually sold him weed at this show we played together in Baltimore years before with his old band “Friend Roulette” and my old project “TAOTSS” at the Crown(RIP). One day Andrew couldn’t make a gig and knowing John had big fat music chops so I asked if he could learn the lead parts on sax with a day’s notice. He said yes and totally crushed it. Taylor actually came into the fold as a stand-in for Andrew in a music video. If Taylor puts his hair in pigtails and shaves his face they look pretty similar so when I couldn’t afford to fly Bailey back for the Hot Summer video he had a friend shoot close ups of him playing out in LA and then I had Taylor stand in playing guitar in the wide shots here in NY. It actually worked pretty good and during shooting I noticed Taylor was crushing the guitar parts so I asked him if he just wanted to play in the band for real. Andrew was becoming less and less available with DIIV tours so it became a full time position. Our bassist James, found us on Spotify when Liars popped up in his algorithm. He was a huge fan of Jason(our old bassist)’s playing. He came to a show and his vibes were immaculate and then he booked us on this DIY rooftop show with his other band Raavi. I was blown away by his playing and the band in general. When I needed another bassist he was the first person I called. The drummer is always the hardest part. Our latest, Mikey Diamond of Big Girl is SLAYING. He’s replacing Ginno who can’t tour with his job. Ginno’s left some tough shoes to fill but Mikey has huge feet and a ton of sass. He’s a great hang and seems to be down to play in his underwear which is major points scored for team Diamond. Hey Mikey! This is me mentioning you in the interview. You’re crushing it dude.
What was your first gig?
I literally can’t remember
How has your music/live performances been received by fans?
People love it. I get texts from people all the time saying they need it. It feels like we’re some kind of crack cocaine or something
What three words best describe your musical style and why?
Fermented rodeo core. We keep improving with age and rodeo core is just the best genre
Who are your biggest musical influences?
The Cramps, Yuno Miles and the sweet sounds of Buster Bailey
Tell us about your new release.
Our latest single Birthday Boohoo just came out on Greenway Records with a completely psychotic remix by Oliver Ackerman of A Place to Bury Strangers. It’s almost 5 minutes long and it’s about taking a bunch of mushrooms and walking into your own surprise birthday party in the middle of an existential crisis.
What inspires your lyrics?
Love, the degradation of the natural world, personal sadness, phonetics, the impending machine takeover, blockbuster films, the dark voice of reason, family, friends, things that feel good to scream at strangers
How do you hope listeners will feel after hearing your music?
Like they just got out of freezing cold water
Do you have any upcoming tour dates?
11.10 Insel | Berlin, Germany
11.11 Molotow | Hamburg, Germany
11.12 Glocksee | Hannover, Germany
11.13 Kult 41 | Bonn, Germany
11.14 Vessel 11 | Rotterdam, Netherlands
11.15 Shacklewell Arms | London, UK
11.16 Big Hands | Manchester, UK
11.17 Saltbox | Nottingham, UK
11.19 Supersonic | Paris, France
11.20 Le 3 Pieces Muzik Club | Rouen, France
11.22 Deus Ex Machina | Bordeaux, France
11.23 Black Flag | Seignosse, France
11.24 Bonberenea | Tolosa, Spain
11.26 Loco Club | Valencia, Spain
11.27 Wurlitzer Ballroom | Madrid, Spain
11.28 Lebowski | Turuel, Spain
11.29 Sala Corleone | Sabanigo, Spain
12.1 Kinnet | Kusel, Germany
12.2 Café Kairo | Bern, Swiss
12.3 Detune | Milan, Italy
12.4 Trenta Formiche | Rome, Italy
What are your band working on next?
A full length!
Listen to Dead Tooth = Birthday Boohoo here: