Exclusive Interview: American Standards talk “Dopamine Dealer”!

Earlier this month Phoenix Arizona chaos driven Hardcore Punk quartet American Standards returned with a brand new EP in “Dopamine Dealer” mixed by Sad Ghost Studios and mastered by Nada Recording (My Chemical Romance, Bayside, Shai Hulud) that left us wondering why the band are still DIY or DIE and not signed to a major label and touring the globe. You know, with chicks and booze and fire trucks turning up after every show to make sure the tour bus arrives at the next sold out show in one piece. We spoke to the man, the myth and the legend that is vocalist Brandon Kellum about the new record and what has been happening in their camp as of late…

In our last interview you spoke about recording a run of singles at different studios to find out where gave you what you wanted. How did that impact things going into recording “Dopamine Dealer“? “Weep, Phantom Limb, and The Pendulum The Podium were all recorded at different studios. We wanted to find someone the understood the sound but also made the process effortless. Something where we didn’t feel like we were on the clock and could take time to reflect on making the music everything we envisioned. Sad Ghost Studio is local and was willing to let us split hairs to get it right”

The three singles in four years following 2017s album “Anti-Melody ” have been well received but feels like with the EP you’re making a statement about being back and ready to make kick things up a few notches. So why now? “Just like everyone else, we had no clue what was at the other end of the pandemic. For me it’s always all or nothing, so if we weren’t breaking up, we were doubling down”

The sample that brings in “The Dealer” really sets the tone, where did you find that and when it comes to playing the cut live will you use it to introduce then song? “That’s actually Chelsey Louise of the Arizona alternative rock band Fairy Bones. I knew I wanted to play off of Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera” but I wanted to make it our own. We also probably couldn’t afford the rights ha. So having shared the stage with Fairy Bones and seeing the energy Chelsey brings, I was excited to get her involved”

You’ve often said that Social Anxiety plays a major part in your life and your songs. How cathartic are the live songs for you? “The smallest part of being a musician is being on stage playing music. That 30-45 minutes connecting with people and vibing off the energy is everything though. Owe most of my adult life experiences and friends to it”

If we are made up of our genes and our influences, what is in your jeans and who would you consider your influences? “The most obvious would probably be bands like Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, The Chariot and Converge. If you were to trace it back further though, the forefathers would be Refused, Snapcase, Deadguy, Coalesce, Spitfire… all those late 90s, early 2000s Metalcore bands that paved the way”

What’s next for American Standards? Rumour has it you’re already working on a full length album? “Halfway done with writing and just scheduled recording. Hoping to have the new album out by end of year along with some touring and festival dates. If you’ve ever wanted to see us live, this is the year to do it. Everything expires”

“Dopamine Dealer” by American Standards was out 3rd February 2023 and is available everywhere you’d expect it to be including bandcamp.