Dananananakroyd Interview

Glaswegian six-piece self-described “fight-pop” band caused a stir at South By South West this year, leaving critics raving about their almost violently energetic live shows. They are about to hit the road for their first ever tour of the European summer festivals, as well as quick stopovers in Australia (including splendour in the grass) and New Zealand. Callum Gunn, the band’s hyperactive front man, took some time for a chat with Album of The Week. Their debut album ‘Hey Everyone’ is out this week and is insane fun, comprising pop, punk, hardcore, sing along tomfoolery and blinding dance rock. Woo!
Album of The Week: Hello callum
Callum: Hello how’ve you been?
Album of The Week: Good how are you?
Callum: Not too bad at all
Album of The Week: Good – are you in the middle of a lot of interviews?
Callum: I am yes – it’s not the kind of emotional torture I thought it was – it’s actually quite enjoyable.
Album of The Week: Okay cool. What are you guys doing at the moment – are you in the middle of touring or are you just about to start?
Callum: Actually we did a show yesterday in Glasgow and then in three days we’re playing in London with the Eagles of Death Metal
Album of The Week: Nice!
Callum: Yeah, we’re just kind of warming up before we go back out (on the road) again in a months time
Album of The Week: And last nights show – that was a home town show?
Callum: In Glasgow yeah, yeah. It was a little show that we put on ourselves, to kind of warm up and get back into the whole head-banging thing, get the muscles aching.
Album of The Week: A lot of friends were there?
Callum: Yeah – it was pretty nice to see everyone so it was good.
Album of The Week: You guys have a heap of festivals coming up... do you enjoy the festivals or do you prefer playing the solo shows?
Callum: Well, we’ve never actually played many festivals, so this is set to be our first festival summer, so we’re all really keen for it. We’re used to being on the other side – waking up in a tent, so we’re all super excited. We’re all really looking forward to it.
Album of The Week: Are you guys excited for coming down to Australia?
Callum: Oh god yeah definitely yeah. Um, that’s kind of like the thing we’re looking forward to most. It’s going to be our first time and we’re playing Splendour In The Grass, which I’ve heard is absolutely amazing.
Album of The Week: It is – it’s in a great area of Australia as well.
Callum: Yeah! I’ve already been told I have to go surfing. Obviously it’s something I’ve never had the opportunity to do in Scotland. Ha ha ha!
Album of The Week: That’s great! So are you planning on doing a lot of touristy things while you’re here?
Callum: We actually have quite a few days off, so we’ll have the chance. I’ve never been to Australia before but I’ve always wanted to, so it’ll be good to have the time to get about and see what’s going on.
Album of The Week: Back to Splendour – we’re looking forward to seeing you play. You guys have quite a reputation for your live shows, what can we expect when you play Splendour?
Callum: Ummm... you can expect a lot of infantile cuddling and childish behaviour and a lot of positive, good vibes and very very loud music. And hopefully people will respond energetically.
Album of The Week: Do you guys have a fitness regime to keep your live shows up to par?
Callum: (laughs) I wish – unfortunately the live show IS our fitness regime. In the beginning all of us partook in a little bit of jogging, but it never really became very serious and we try to keep fit, but it’s not really the case.
Album of The Week: Callum you used the be the drummer right?
Callum: I did, yes I did.
Album of The Week: And how’s the switch? Do you enjoy the singing more?
Callum: Ah... yeah I do. Honestly I miss the drums a little bit, but I get my moments during the live shows cos parts of the songs I get to play the drums. I get my drum fix.
Album of The Week: So there’s a bit of swapping?
Callum: Yeah – we all do a little bit of it at some point.
Album of The Week: In the beginning, how did Danananakyroyd get together?
Callum: We got together about three and a half years ago when two of us, we were all in different bands around Glasgow all playing in the scene that we had a few years ago, and those bands all kind of dissolved so what happened was we all just kind of fell into a unit of bored youth (laughs). And we decided to form a ridiculously fun band – with no real agenda or anything – so we just all got together and started playing that music.
Album of The Week: Do you listen to the critics – getting the positive feedback must be pretty good?
Callum: Well to be honest I don’t really check it too much myself but my mum does ha ha! So I get my reports from my mother who is infinitely proud of her son – bless her heart. She tells us whenever someone has said something good about the band in the newspapaers or anything like that.
Album of The Week: Aw that’s good. You recently had a band member leave how did that pan out?
Callum: Yes we’ve got a replacement in and we’ve done two shows with him to see if it worked and it fortunately does!
Album of The Week: With your album, did you guys record it live – just go in a play it?
Callum: Yep it was recorded in New York with ¬¬Machine (producer) who did Lamb of God and lots of metal bands, and we just went into the studio for two weeks and tried to do as much live as possible, really try to capture the live sound. We’re predominantly a live band so we really wanted to put the essence of our live shows into the record.
Album of The Week: Okay nice. Hey, who does your artwork? It’s pretty cool.
Callum: Yeah! It’s this guy from London Keaton Hensen, a really really talented guy. One of the guys from the band really liked his work and thought this is our man so we got in contact with him online, we kind of struck up a good relationship with him and has a continued part in our work so far yeah.
Album of The Week: We are always interested to hear what other peoples Albums of The Week are and what they are into. What are you listening to at the moment?
Callum: Umm, ahhh geee. This is a hard one. Well kind of catching up on a lot of things and getting back into metal. One album would be Agoraphobic Nosebleeds their latest record Agorapocalypse. Very very harsh record that we’re into at the moment and in no way represents the band but we like it a lot.

Album of The Week: Ok great. We are very much looking forward to seeing you guys down here soon.
Callum: Thanks we are really looking forward to it.
Album of The Week: And hopefully you’ll be able to get some surfing in.
Callum: Oh yes definitely, I am not the best but I will give it a shot.

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