Bio: Utilizing deceptively simple instrumentation, Denny Bowen (drums), Nolen Strals (vocals) and Bruce Willen (bass) create a cacophonous wall of sound as the Baltimore trio Double Dagger. Occasionally described as “very ... (more)
Bio: Utilizing deceptively simple instrumentation, Denny Bowen (drums), Nolen Strals (vocals) and Bruce Willen (bass) create a cacophonous wall of sound as the Baltimore trio Double Dagger. Occasionally described as “very loud pop” or “angry pop”, Double Dagger creates music that is both visceral and melodic. Double Dagger’s live energy is intense – they prefer to be close to the audience be it in a club or a basement – an energy that is the essence of the band. This dynamic combination of energy, melody, angst and playfulness is captured so exquisitely on their debut for Thrill Jockey.
More, Double Dagger’s third full-length album, was recorded by Denny and Bruce between December 2008 and January 2009. The band set up shop in the abandoned/trashed office on the fifth floor of a building that houses the Current Gallery, an artist run gallery and studio space in Baltimore. The building is slated for demolition and everything above the third floor is in a general state of disrepair, lacking both heat and electricity. The band powered their amps, recording gear, and a few space heaters with extension chords run out windows and down to floors that are still functioning. Denny set up the drums in a separate room and smashed a hole through the wall so that they could see each other while playing. Old cubicle dividers and ceiling tiles helped with soundproofing and acoustics. Despite the harsh conditions, recording in such a way allowed the band to spend extra time on the album, giving them the opportunity to get everything sounding the way they wanted, as well as allowing them to experiment with some additional textures: the drone of a harmonium, as well as the white noise and static of a broken toy keyboard. Adding a few cheap mics to the mix, gave it all a bit of a rough edge. The album was mixed with Rob Girardi at his Lord Baltimore recording studio.
The end result is the closest Double Dagger has come to capturing their live sound and explosive energy. While their lyrics have always come from a critical angle, More is a bit more personal in nature. In part, the title is a reference to the band’s home of Baltimore. The issues tackled and the critiques and conclusions reached aren’t always simply defined, many of the songs deal with conflicting and contradictory dualities. The songs however are not all frustrations, they are also full of hopefulness and even playfulness.
Double Dagger isn’t the only artistic outlet for the trio. Denny has a solo project called Smart Growth, which is mainly sample-based and he’s also the lead drummer in Dan Deacon’s current touring ensemble. Bruce and Nolen are also graphic designers and artists who work under the name Post Typography. The studio’s work has appeared in the New York Times and Wired as well as on many album covers. The French design/art imprint Pyramyd recently published a monograph of Post Typography’s posters, lettering, illustration, and other design work. Post Typography is currently writing and designing a book entitled Lettering & Type, to be published in fall 2009 by Princeton Architectural Press.
Double Dagger plan on playing a basement or club near you shortly after the release of More in the early summer of 2009. “Older people who don’t want to damage their hearing or get harassed by Nolen will stand in the back. Younger people will stand at the front and get crazy. At least that’s how it usually goes.” – Bruce (less)
