DARK THOUGHTS

Asked if he ever tires of the constant comparisons his band gets to the brothers Ramone, Dark Thoughts’ singer and guitarist Jim Shomo gives an emphatic “No!” aside, we definitely work hard to have a Ramones sound. I've called our band a Ramones band many times; I think it's the most fitting description I can come up with.”

INTERVIEW WITH VOCALIST / GUITARIST JIM SHOMO BY JOHN B. MOORE

Philly-based pop punk trio Dark Thoughts wear their Ramones influences with a sense of tenacious pride that can only come from a band that calls the City of Brotherly Love home.

On their latest LP, Must Be Nice, that Ramones flag still flies high. But far from being a glorified cover band, Dark Thoughts have perfected their own satisfyingly original take on their influences, building on that ’70s punk foundation with a lyrically modern take on the genre.

In fact, their influences are fairly difamily a few times; it's always a blast.” verse—within the punk genre. While there’s not exactly an overall “I dunno if it would be surprising, theme to this record, there is a more but I listen to a lot of Clash and The cohesive sound than on their first two Jam for sure,” Shomo says. “Profesalbums. “A lot of the songs are a little sionals, Eddie and The Hot Rods, heavier,” Shomo says. “We felt a bit U.K. Subs, Cockney Rejects. Amy more comfortable trying stuff out this [Opsasnick, bass] loves The Newtime around, so they just kind of came town Neurotics, Toy Dolls. Daniel pretty quickly. I could say that some [Cox, drums] is a big Adicts fan, but of the songs have a heavier personal beyond the obvious stuff, we all love meaning for me, but that's just my imhardcore and punk. Daniel has a pression. It's more that people have deep knowledge of a lot of goth and them for themselves. For what it's post-punk; Amy's main is normally worth, though, I'm really pleased with Japanese hardcore, I mostly reach how this record turned out.” for U.S. hardcore. Add all that, plus The Methadones, and that’s pretty “A lot of the songs are a little heavimuch it. I mean, to set it straight— er,” Shomo says. “We felt a bit we’re punks; we like punk, ok?” more comfortable trying stuff out this time around, so they just kind Must Be Nice came out in Decemof came pretty quickly. I could ber 2019 on Stupid Bag Records say that some of the songs have in the U.S. and Drunken Sailor Rea heavier personal meaning for cords overseas. Their connection me, but that's just my impression. to the beloved, U.K.-based DrunkIt's more that people have them en Sailor came about thanks to for themselves. For what it's worth the label’s founder, Julian Steventhough, I'm really pleased with son, stumbling across the band’s how this record turned out.” music organically. Along with a brief East Coast tour “We were on tour a little after our in January, going all the way to first record came out, and Julian Florida, Dark Thoughts have lined just emailed us out of the blue,” Shoup a few shows in February. In mo says. “Turns out it was a perfect March, they are flying out to play a match. He's a great friend, and the show in Athens, Greece, then headlabel is great as well. We've gotten ing to London, U.K., with plans for a the chance to go and visit him and his full U.S. tour in the spring. �� ��

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL THORN

DANCE PARTY PUNK BOIDS

DBOY HOMETOWN: New Jersey ALBUM: Sorcery out Feb. 20, via Bangs and Burns RIYL: Contrast. Empathy. Release.

Dboy are what happens when a band respects your mind and your time. New Records in Human Power is a record-setting display of punk proficiency, one that somehow works equally well if you let the bombastic music take over your body or if you pay attention to the ideas at play. This is both the most interesting and engaging punk record in recent memory and one that doesn’t need your attention to be enjoyed. It’s a masterclass in contradiction. The band collectively break down their intent:

“Boiled down, Dboy serves two purposes: INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND BY NICHOLAS SENIOR One, to end sonic austerity worldwide. Two, to free global subjects from aesM ontreal’s BOIDS specialize in a special kind of sonic ecstasy, and their unique dynamic has never been more evident than on their latest tween. We think that maybe you can find a lot of joy and positivity amongst the snakes, dancing in the storm and stress of life all around you.” ly nail the mix of bizarro and beautiful, Quel Drag feels a bit more restrained in its oddities while keeping the band’s loveably weird personality intact. It’s just so damn fun. thetic degradation, regardless of its manifestations.” “As such, every song is an exercise in efficiency,” they say. “There's no real point in taking three minutes to say something that could be said in two. Talking too much is an expression of those who are too uninmasterpiece. Quel Drag, out now via Stomp Records, highlights how existentialism, pop punk, new wave, and the desire That all means Quel Drag is ironically named—this is the opposite of a bummer record. So, how do the band keep a “I think we wanted to set out to find some harmony between being weird and being fun,” spired to realize that they have nothing good to say. It might as well come through in fast, audible expressions of love, or come through in silence. Our creative process reflects this.” to get on the damn dance floor can find common ground. The group’s unique take on dance punk is a weird and wonderful positive attitude with all that's going on? “Maybe there’s no changing they reflect. “It would be easy to make a record that’s so weird nobody would pay attention. The real challenge is to frame “We want to liberate the global audience from their boredom and give them hope through effectively placed smoke and mirrors,” the Dboys continue. “New Remixture indeed, but it’s their thematic twist that both calls you into their world and keeps you enraptured. some things. That being said, we have a choice in how we digest what we have to swallow. Posi breeds positivity (our comour true, weird selves in a way that still makes people want to dance and sing along. We took a look around at punk music cords in Human Power gives the control back to our creatures of strange circumstance, underdogs, and the international network of Dboy scouts as a whole.” bined initials are PMA, after and saw that there was room With the world so full of negaall), and I think that looking at for more danceability.” tivity at every turn, BOIDS focus things honestly together, all “We decided long ago,” they on finding some smiles amidst the curve balls we have been It's rare for a band to be able to note, “that we are not an overtthe metaphorical snakes. through as a band, has created capture the frustrations of modly political band. We’re polita space where we can highlight ern life while also being able to ical people, and our actions “It was really special that we the positivity that’s around us write tales with lasting power. can have political motivations could get such succinct artwork all the time.” BOIDS walk that precarious or intentions, but no, we don’t to help transmit the themes of tightrope between being politiwant to be the band that writes the record,” the trio collectively BOIDS have previously joked cally aware and calling for unity, the obvious songs. We want to note. “Life can be full of snakes that they are “90 percent water, and an uplifting spirit. Their be the band that brings people trying to drag you down, sap 10 percent weirdo, 100 percent goals are aligned to what could together for the dance party. your energy, and ladders are BOIDS,” and while there really succinctly be labeled as “having ‘Strength through community sometimes few and far bearen’t any acts that so perfectfun and not being assholes.” through music.’” �� �� ��

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