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Dan Vapid and the Cheats – “Sour Pauline”
Less than a year after the release of their previous full-length, Dan Vapid and the Cheats have returned with a brand-new studio album, titled Welcome to Dystopia. It features 16 tracks in total and comes out September 23rd on Eccentric Pop Records. We’re pleased to be premiering the album’s first single below, called “Sour Pauline”. When asked about the inspiration for this song, Dan Vapid said “I was thinking about the toxic people that I’ve encountered over a lifetime when the song ‘Sweet Jane’ by the Velvet Underground was played on shuffle. I’ve probably heard that song a hundred times, but on this occasion the title ‘Sour Pauline’ popped into my head, along with a melody. From there, the remainder of the song quickly followed.”
When discussing the record’s overall theme, Vapid indicated that a common thread is present throughout the album, as it was written entirely in 2020. He said, “Welcome to Dystopia is an unfiltered response to everything I was (and still am) feeling about what faces us as a country and society. It’s mostly angry and dark. There’s not a lot of sunshine, rainbows and lollipops here…most people use social media to convey what they are thinking and feeling. For my own sanity, I try to stay away from social media as much as possible and prefer music to be my outlet.”
Check out the video for “Sour Pauline” below, which was made by Henry Weintraub from Memorable But Not Honorable, (a cassette label based in Eugene, Oregon). Vinyl and CD pre-orders for Welcome to Dystopia will be available starting September 16th from Eccentric Pop. Also, be sure to catch the Cheats when they play Cobra Lounge on November 19th with The Methadones, The Copyrights, and Mikey Erg. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.
Dan Vapid and the Cheats
Today, Dan Vapid and the Cheats released their fourth full-length, called Escape Velocity. They continue to build upon the groundwork that was laid on their previous album, this time taking it a step further with their willingness to explore new stylistic territory. At the same time, they’re able to do so while still preserving the core sound that fans have come to appreciate. Additionally, singer/guitarist Dan Vapid’s songwriting proficiencies remain in top form, while the other band members, (guitarist/singer Simon Lamb, bassist/singer Dillon Dunnagan, and drummer/singer Gabe Usery) provide significant contributions throughout, which really helps to solidify Escape Velocity as a complete record. We recently spoke with Vapid and talked about the album’s unique recording process and about what inspired its overall concept. We also discussed Vapid’s feelings regarding playing shows during this stage of the pandemic, how the band is already planning on returning to the studio and more.
Continue Reading…The Methadones Announce Chicago Show
We’re thrilled to announce that The Methadones will be playing their first hometown show in nearly five years this summer. Since initially disbanding in 2010, the band has only played twice, (an abbreviated set in 2011 and at Red Scare’s tenth anniversary show in 2015). After forming in 1993, they went on to release five studio albums, a split record with The Copyrights and finally a compilation album in 2010 that contained all the songs from their various singles, (as well as the final five songs they ever recorded). While often labeled as pop punk, The Methadones’ sound was truly a lot more multi-dimensional. Elements of classic Chicago punk and power pop were often present, along with an emphasis on vocal melodies, intricate guitar leads and introspective lyrics. In short, very few bands hold up this well over time. The band has yet to reveal any details as to their planned setlist, but rest assured that they’ll deliver a career-spanning set. The Methadones will play Chop Shop on Saturday, June 27th with support from Direct Hit!, Dan Vapid and The Cheats, and Capgun Heroes. The show starts at 7:00 PM, is 18+ and tickets go on sale this Friday.
Dan Vapid and The Cheats
Tomorrow, Dan Vapid and The Cheats are releasing their latest full-length, Three. We spoke with singer/guitarist Dan “Vapid” Schafer in detail about how the album came together. With the band’s last record coming out almost six years ago, Schafer explained how moving to downstate Illinois and the addition of a new bassist and drummer, amongst other factors, influenced the making of the Three. The outcome is an album that combines various genres into a cohesive work, and also contains some of the best songwriting of Schafer’s career. In addition, we discussed what recording was like, the inspiration for certain songs and what else the band has planned for this year. Be sure to listen to one of the record’s songs after the interview, called “The Sky Is Electric Blue.” Continue Reading…
Dan Vapid and The Cheats – “The Time We Get”
On March 15th, Dan Vapid and The Cheats will release their latest album, titled Three. We’re premiering the record’s debut single below, “The Time We Get.” When asked about the writing and recording process for this full-length, singer/guitarist Dan Vapid described the various hurdles the band faced. He explained, “I’ve been writing songs since our last record. Writing is the easy part of the process for me since it can be done at home. The issue I kept facing was scheduling rehearsal and recording time while juggling three kids, a new job, and selling and buying a home. It took a lot of effort, but we figured out a way to get it done. With many of the sessions for this record, I was putting the kids to bed, then driving 45 minutes to St. Louis, tracking for two or three hours and then driving back home so I could work the following morning. It was crazy but I got through it.”
“The Time We Get” was actually the last song written for the album and was finished only a few weeks prior to being recorded. While addressing some of the things that inspired the song, Vapid said “Like I mentioned earlier, I had so much on my plate, music kept getting placed on the back burner. I find life is often this way. So much happens in our day-to-day lives that has a way of obstructing the very things we would rather be doing. We need to be cognizant of this. Whether we live to see old age or die tomorrow, we will never know. Hence, do the best with the time you get.”
Take a listen to the song now and preorder the album via Eccentric Pop Records here.
The Addisons – “Down Down Down”
On August 9th, The Addisons are scheduled to release their second EP, Here It Comes Again. Recorded and produced by Mike Felumlee of The Smoking Popes, the record finds the band noticeably advancing their interpretation of Midwestern indie/punk. The Addisons’ roster consists of singer/guitarists Dave Lysien, (Not Rebecca, Textbook) and Tom Counihan, (Not Rebecca, Tom Daily). Anchoring the rhythm section is bassist Rick Uncapher, (Textbook, Dan Vapid and the Cheats, Noise By Numbers) and the newest addition, drummer Jesse Carmona, (Gods Reflex, The Braves).
When asked about recording with Felumlee, Counihan said “I’ve been playing and recording with Mike on and off for over 20 years, since I played with him in the Smoking Popes. He played drums on a bunch of my solo recordings, so it was very natural to record with him.” He added, “I just like the tones of the recordings. Mike and I have similar tastes in music, so the mixes, especially the drum sounds, are right where I like them.”
We’re streaming one of the songs from Here It Comes Again below, called “Down Down Down.” When speaking of what inspired its creation, Counihan said “The song came together really quickly. I wrote it in my car at lunch one day. I had my guitar in the back seat and I started and finished in less than an hour. I recorded it onto my phone and sent it to the rest of the band right away. The next practice we started working on turning it into a full band version. I don’t write songs nearly as often as I used to, so it was great to have it be so painless.” Take a listen to the track now and on Thursday, get the record here.
Dan Vapid and the Cheats
Photo by Katie Hovland
With the release of their second LP, the aptly-titled Two, Dan Vapid and the Cheats have cemented their status as one of today’s leading pop punk bands. Recorded by Matt Allison at Atlas Studios, the album sounds great and does a masterful job of highlighting the detailed songwriting. The record contains both classic and contemporary elements of pop punk, resulting in a collection of songs that’s sure to please lifers and newcomers to the genre alike. Without question, this release serves to reintroduce the band and position them for a promising and exciting future. We recently spoke with singer/guitarist Dan Vapid and discussed the album in detail. We also talked about lineup changes, the decision to self-release the record, future plans and more. Lastly, make sure to listen to “I’m a Contrarian,” which is streaming at the end of the interview.
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