The much anticipated fourth dragSTER album, Anti-Everything will finally be released on Digipack CD and as a limited edition Red vinyl LP via John Robb’s Louder Than War Records label on Friday 17th August 2018. The Coventry (UK) based five piece have gained a worldwide unique cult-like following thanks to their enigmatic B-Movie inspired style of song-writing and adrenaline fuelled live performances led by the mesmerizing antics of their lead singer, Fi. Well known for lacing their lyrics with political potency dragSTER have announced details of their fourth studio album which looks set to follow a similar tone to their previous releases. The music is typically uncompromising, a full throttle assault on the senses that draws on both the bands punk roots and dirty born bad rock ͚n͛ roll coupled with ominous predictions and opinions surrounding democracy, biased media, freedoms and the societal grip held by the shadowy elite powers that be. Check out Damned below!
We managed to catch up with the band as they talked about their upcoming release and more!
So how pumped are you for the release of Anti-Everything?
FI: We are really excited about this release, it is our fourth studio album and ,we think, our best so far, we took a long time writing the music and the subject matter. We’re really happy to be working with Louder Than War on the release.
How have the people at Louder Than War helped you with this release?
Diesel: John and Phil have been there for us for most of dragSTER’s existence, they have been fantastic mentors to us from the get go. Regarding the release dragSTER wanted to be on a label we trusted and that put out bands that we love. It is very important to us that the label are as passionate as us, and this shows in the way they market the album and generate a buzz from reviews and airplay, they are very hands on.
Can you tell us something about the upcoming release that no one else knows?
Diesel: Yeah, one of us recorded their part on “Enemies” naked, can you guess who? We also licked Captain Sensible’s guitar for luck. It’s as yet unknown if that will be good luck or bad.
How has Damned gone down with fans so far?
Fi: The song Damned has been well received by fans and DJs all over the UK and Europe. We have even received interest from college radio in the USA. The video for there song has been picked up by Hard Core World Wide and was on their home page play list. We always feel genuinely flattered when other people dig our songs.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Diesel: Me and Ben are big Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster fans, but they aren’t going anymore, there are too many to choose from, probably Pissed Jeans
Fi: T.S.O.L.
What was the first ever gig you went to?
Fi: The first show I went to was Spear Of Destiny, it was incredible and I have been a big fan ever since. I was blown away last year when Kirk Brandon was in Malaga the same time as us and he messaged me. Fan girl moment.
Diesel: I saw The UK Subs at a house in Coventry called The Stoker, it was a mind blowing gig, they were a big influence on me, This was an amazing venue, just a house, but Manic Street Preachers have played there, Dave Grohl and The Jesus Lizard, how crazy is that??
So you have a few gig dates coming up, which one are you most looking forward to?
Diesel: I am looking forward to Playing with Pizzatramp in Bristol, they are a great band and have been getting the success they deserve recently. Ziggy and Jon from Death or Glory Promotions do great work down in the southeast.
Fi: We have a small festival tour in the Czech Republic coming up, we go there a lot and the people are so welcoming and go crazy for our type of punk, if you have to go anywhere go to Prague.
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
Fi: I like to paint, I run about 20 miles a week and I absolutely love messing about the garden.
Diesel: when I’m not writing with the rest of the band I go out to other gigs watching bands, the band travel a lot, tour a lot. If I ain’t sleeping I will be hanging out with our three dogs.