Dirty Tactics interview

Interview by: Emma Elstner


Look out! Philadelphia based Dirty Tactics are on to something. Being one of many new bands I saw at Fest 7 in Gainesville, FL, they remarkably managed to bring something new to the table. Without sticking a label on them - their hectic, contagious sound and distinctive, tight vocals pull you in and don’t leave you hanging. Through a raw intensity they deliver…and they deliver well. With an expected new album release in 2009 and U.S. and European tours to follow, Dirty Tactics are an up-and-coming band worth betting your money on. And in economic hardships, who wouldn’t want a safe bet for the future?

- Tell us a little about yourselves - line up, background etc.?
Dirty tactics are Gary, Chris, Dan and we are in between drummers right now. In our spare time Chris plays in a bluegrass band, Gary plays in an organ based bilingual pop group and Dan plays in a punk band. We are the sum of those parts and we are based out of Philadelphia and we are planning to take over the world.

- You released a full length in 2007 and an EP earlier this year. Any plans for putting out another album soon?
We are recording a new album in January/February in Houston with Johnny (Rioux) from the Street Dogs. It’s going to be a lot of fun and hopefully it'll sound like it.

- I saw you guys play at the Fest 7 in Gainesville, FL. What a killer show!
That was one of the best shows we've ever played. Most of the bands on our show that night we had been on tour with or played shows with before so it was a nice reunion. Hopefully we can make it back there next year.

- How was the European tour you did with the Statues last spring? You even played shows in Sweden, right?
The Statues tour was so rad. We were so lucky to get to share that experience with such a rad group of guys. We got along so well with them and our merch guy was our good friend Kalle from the Swedish band Smalltown. We finally got to play with them in Malmö at Cafe Revolt and we were stoked. We love Sweden, can't wait to come back there next year.

- You recently added another guitar player to the band. What kind of impact has that had on your music?
We had always talked about that idea, but from touring so long as a three piece, we became such a tight knit group, we realized we couldn't just have anybody come in and play. Chris had been a good friend of ours for a while and I had played in a band with him before, so it made sense. He also joined around the same time our sound was changing into whatever it is now. I’m sure now that we are writing songs together, they will mold into something new again.

- Anything else you want to add that we should know about Dirty Tactics?
We like watching Twin Peaks and also watching dvds about the universe and saracha.

www.myspace.com/dirtytactics