Several weeks ago, Red City Radio played Bottom Lounge and we caught up with singer/guitarist Garrett Dale before the show. We talked about their new EP on Red Scare Industries, SkyTigers, including how it was written and recorded, as well as the origins of its unique title. SkyTigers finds Red City Radio further uncovering their own distinctive sound, while simultaneously making strides with their songwriting capabilities. We discussed what motivated the EP’s style, in addition to some seemingly random topics, like professional wrestling, Charlie Chaplin, Death Row Records and more.

Bill – What was it like working with producer Mike Kennerty, (The All-American Rejects) on this record?

Garrett – Mike Kennerty is a magician, a sexy, sexy magician, (laughs). I would not only highly recommend checking out all the albums that he’s had a hand in, including Masked Intruder and the Garrett Dale EP, (laughs). But as far as SkyTigers, he’s a wonderful guy to work with. He knows his shit, he’s very talented and he’s a very passionate music fan. And so are we, so we get along so well. And we all have an excitement for elevation, ya dig?

Bill – Nice. What do you like best about how the record sounds?

Garrett – Man, my band. The background vocals aren’t in the background, they’re right in your face with the harmonies and everything. I love it, we love it and we hope that everyone shares the same feelings.

Bill – Were these songs that had been written for a while or did you end up doing a lot of writing in the studio?

Garrett – We never finish songs all the way. And I’m not talking necessarily musically. Musically, we usually kind of know where we’re going. This was probably the most comfortable way we’ve ever done it. Some songs were mostly finished, some songs weren’t, but it was a very easy and flowing process. We just kind of picked the right notes and chose the right avenues to explore. I always leave a little bit of the lyrics to finish in the studio. I like that because it gives it a sense of being off the cuff. Every time you sing something it loses just a little bit of its magic…

Bill – Some of the spontaneity…

Garrett – Yeah, some of the feeling. You lose that if you’re not feeling it when you’re recording.

Bill – Very cool. Where did the title SkyTigers originate from?

Garrett – Well, I’ll give credit to my man Ryan Donovan, our guitar player, he came up with the term. But it’s just about elevating yourself. It’s an elevated level of consciousness that is a reachable goal to every human, to being the best that you possibly can be and maybe being a little better than that. Just being open, happy and being able to listen, love and spread good vibes.

Bill – Awesome. I feel that this record definitely incorporates some new styles that your band hasn’t used before. Where do you think these influences come from?

Garrett – Drugs.

Bill – (Laughs). Strictly drugs…

Garrett – Next question, (laughs). Um…I wouldn’t call it influences necessarily. I grew up listening to everything from country to rap music, from Marty Robbins to Tupac. I love all that shit. I love rock ‘n’ roll, a little KISS. I love just good music, all genres. And I love professional wrestling. I’m a big fan. And something that I like about wrestling is that the best wrestlers are the ones where their characters are just amplified representations of their own selves. When you take yourself times a thousand, those are the real great wrestling characters. You can relate that back to music. When you elevate what you love and who you are times a thousand in your music, it can get a little out there, a little strange. But if you wrangle it in you can make some magic, make something pretty. The world wants to hear it.

Bill – Absolutely. One of my favorite songs on the EP is the title track, which samples dialogue from the 1940 movie The Great Dictator. Did you intend from the beginning to use those sound clips or did the idea come after the song was mostly finished?

Garrett – Like anything wonderful that happens in life, it came smooth and naturally. It wasn’t planned. I don’t want to go too deep into the workings, but the inclusion of Charlie Chaplin was the last bit of addition to the recording. We always knew it was going to be there, even though we didn’t know it was going to be that, there was always something. And I’ve always loved that speech. I brought it to Mike and we messed with it. He edited it the way that it came out and we fuckin’ loved it.

Bill – What led to you guys teaming up with Red Scare for the EP’s release?

Garrett – Toby Jeg, (Red Scare owner) is one of the realest motherfuckers out there and we’ve always been a fan of Red Scare. Our last label got bought out a month after our last album was released and it kind of fell on deaf ears. And Toby believes in Red City Radio and we believe in Toby. And I tell you what man, Red Scare Industries is the new Death Row. The new Death Row Records, baby, and Red City Radio is proud to rep that shit.

Bill – (Laughs). Awesome. Compared to a lot of bands, you guys really do tour a lot. What do you enjoy most about playing shows and being on the road?

Garrett – I’m a music fan. I love playing guitar, I love meeting people and I love watching bands that we’re on tour with. I’m overwhelmed with positive vibes every night when people can take the songs that we sing home with them and mend that in with wonderful times in their lives. In that way, not only our band, but all bands…you’re able to heal the fuckin’ human spirit. As a music fan, I understand that completely. I listen to Roy Orbison and he heals my spirit. That’s what I do for a living and the living is good. I say that not from a place of egotism, but from a place of responsibility. I have a responsibility to put my hand out there and reach out and to grab someone else’s hand. It’s my obligation, it’s my calling, it’s my choice, it’s a fuckin’ curse, but I’m going to do it until the day that I physically can’t anymore and then probably a little longer after that too.

Bill – That’s right. What does the band have planned for the rest of the year in terms of touring?

Garrett – Well, we’re coming back to Chicago at the Subterranean on June 1st. Then we’ve got a few other shows before we go to Europe and the UK in June and July. We’re playing The Fest in the fall, but as of right now that’s all I think we can really announce. Just rock ‘n’ rolling, kicking ass, forgetting names…

Bill – (Laughs). Where are you guys at in terms of writing your next album?

Garrett – (Long pause, followed by Dale singing, at full volume, the first verse and chorus of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by the Righteous Brothers). “You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips / And there’s no tenderness like before in your fingertips / You’re trying hard not to show it / But baby, baby I know it / You lost that lovin’ feelin’ / Whoa, that lovin’ feelin’ / You lost that lovin’ feelin’ / Now it’s gone, gone, gone, whoa-whoa-oh.”

Bill – I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve never had anyone break into song, so thank you for being the first…

Garrett – The answer to the question lies somewhere in that comment, I’ll tell you that much.