SPEAK FOR THE DEAD
Q The album Speak for the Dead feels like one continuous statement rather than a set of separate songs. When you were writing the lyrics, did you consciously approach the record as a unified message from the start, or did that cohesion emerge naturally over time?
A: I (Jordie, Guitar/Vox) think it was a bit of both. That cohesion is a result of us making sure our message is one that resonates across borders and across generations without becoming a punk rock history lesson. Wars come and go, Empires rise and fall, but the anger of the oppressed is as timeless as it is universal.
Q A strong sense of urgency runs through the lyrics, as if the world is already in a state of collapse. How much of that feeling comes from personal experience versus observing the larger political and social climate around you?
A: Again, it’s a bit of both. Our lived experience is inextricably tied to the socio-political climate we live in. That sense of urgency stems from a personal belief that society isn’t about to fall apart, it’s been slowly decaying for longer than we’ve been alive.
Q The lyrics consistently connect global violence with everyday struggles. Was it important for Speak for the Dead to show how war, politics, and authority directly affect daily life rather than keeping those themes abstract?
A: Absolutely. Our title track and name were directly inspired by stories of my grandpa’s time in Vietnam. Songs like Dread, Lights Out, and Headwound come directly from our own lived experiences and those of people we love. Even punk rock songs fall into the trap of escapism sometimes, so we try our best to always remind people that political issues ARE human issues.
Q Many of the songs balance raw anger with moments of exhaustion and vulnerability. How do you decide when to let that vulnerability come through instead of pure aggression?
A: I think just comes naturally, we’re all pretty angry and pretty damn tired, haha. It’s just about being honest with yourself and your audience. To be vulnerable is to be human, and we would never want to lead people to believe anything less.
Q There’s a strong sense of collective identity in the lyrics, with repeated references to shared loss and solidarity. How important is community to Speak for the Dead, both lyrically and in real life?
A: We’re nothing without the people around us. Our lyrics reflect that BECAUSE we know it to be true in our own lives.
Q The album doesn’t shy away from mental health struggles, addiction, and burnout. Was it difficult to be that open in the lyrics, and did you ever worry about exposing too much?
A: Not at all. I don’t think anyone in this band regrets their past, but we definitely hope we can inspire kids to pull away from the kind of nihilistic self-destructive behavior that’s all too common in punk rock.
Q Authority figures and power structures are portrayed as violent and dishonest throughout the album. Do you feel that anger has intensified over the years, or has it always been part of how you see the world?
A: I’ve always had a distaste for authority, and a belief that we can never truly be free when people are allowed to hold power over others. Are things seemingly worse now than say 30 years ago? Sure, but the systems of power that create suffering are as old as society itself.
Q Religion and nationalism are challenged very directly in the lyrics. Was there a specific moment or experience that pushed you to confront those themes so openly?
A: We’re all 9/11 babies in this band, we watched civil liberties die in real time. Patriot Act, NDAA, Real ID, it’s all part of a bigger plot to turn America into a corporate dictatorship at the expense of the common people. Religion is the tool used by the state to keep us complacent, constantly grateful for what little we have while awaiting some paradise in death that may or may not even exist.
Q The title Speak for the Dead feels like a moral mission statement. Who are you speaking for when you use that phrase, and how do you carry that responsibility as a band?
A: We speak for everyone who suffers and dies in this unjust system. War, poverty, police brutality, homelessness, are all forms of state-sanctioned violence against the people. We’re here to tell the stories of those who aren’t here to tell us themselves.
Q The lyrics often reject the idea of salvation coming from external forces. Do you think that belief shapes how you approach both music and life outside the band?
A: Without a doubt. To us, punk rock has always been about taking matters into our own hands. The community helps itself, we don’t need a savior when we have each other.
Q The language throughout Speak for the Dead is blunt and confrontational. Do you ever feel pressure to soften your message, or is directness essential to what you do?
A: I don’t think we’ll ever curtail our message for anyone. If you can’t handle ugly truths, go listen to Taylor Swift.
Q Many of the lyrics feel rooted in lived experience rather than abstract ideas. How much of the album comes directly from things you’ve witnessed or been through?
A: I think this album balances a bleak personal world view with a sincere hope that someday we’ll actually break our chains and be free. Dread, Lights Out, and Headwound are good examples of songs that directly pull from our own experiences. Others, like our title track, were influenced by stories of family who were broken by the horrors of war. Even the songs that aren’t directly tied to personal experience are still written through that lens; hope for change, frustration with the state of the world, and anger at those who hold power over us.
Q The album highlights how systems of power impact mental health and self-worth. Do you think punk still has a unique role in addressing those issues today?
A: I think punk has really centered itself around issues like mental health and self-love these days. Maybe not across the board, but overall the genre has become a lot deeper than the drunk punx vibes of the 90s.
Q Memory and refusal to forget are central ideas in Speak for the Dead. How do you personally deal with loss, whether it’s people, places, or versions of yourself?
A: I lost both my parents in the last two years, and honestly I don’t know how to even answer that. I just try my best to keep pushing on and be the kind of person mom and dad would be proud of. They taught me compassion, generosity, and unconditional love. I do my best to keep those values at the forefront of my life.
Q Do you see Speak for the Dead as a reflection of a specific moment in time, or do you feel its themes will remain relevant long after this era has passed?
A: Our goal has always been to write music that will remain relevant well beyond our final breaths. We specifically choose to tackle political issues with broader strokes, touching on emotional and psychological responses to power and oppression, rather than citing a specific event or person. Like they say, the players may change, but the game remains the same.
Q How did working with musicians who have such deep backgrounds in punk and metal influence the lyrical direction of the album?
A: I mean, Clay and I alone have been working together for the better part of two decades, and we’re constantly finding new and better ways to express ourselves. The people we surround ourselves with, whether that’s our boys Nick and Eric, or the guys in Resilience, all bring valuable insights to the table. Speak is the culmination of literal years of refining our sound both musically and lyrically.
Q Looking forward, do you see the next chapter of Speak for the Dead pushing these lyrical themes even further, or exploring entirely new emotional territory?
A: Well, you’ll never see us write a breakup song if that’s what you mean. This album paints a great picture of what’s in store for future releases, but if I have my way, things are getting a lot darker, haha. I might end up writing a song for my parents someday, but right now that’s territory I’m just not ready to jump into yet.
