No Age Channel Ramones, Husker Du on Fall Disc
When L.A. duo No Age released their 2008 record Nouns, they made indie-rock dangerous again, sending music fans clamoring for earplugs and aspirin thanks to their unique brand of skull-crushing, hook-savvy noise rock. After spending two years touring relentlessly — plus releasing the Losing Feeling EP last year — guitarist Randy Randall and drummer Dean Spunt are finishing their follow-up, which is due out on Sub Pop in September. “We’re pretty ambitious as it is,” says Spunt, “but we’re definitely trying to shoot higher. The new songs are experimental but there are hooks. It doesn’t sound like a lo-fi pop record. It just sounds like awesome.”
For the new record, Randall and Spunt have roped in a third member (their pal F. Bermudez) to add more textured samples to their already dense, atomic sound. “Adding him helped open up our writing,” says Spunt. “It was like having another brain. And we’ve really been able to make songs that are way more intricate sample-wise.”
Of the 20 songs No Age have written, the band is most psyched for tracks like “Fever Dreaming” — a clattering, monster anthem that’s spiced with cluster bombs of squealing feedback. “It reminds me of a tougher Ramones song but if you were listening to it in a garbage can,” says Spunt. Other highlights include the raucous “Depletion,” which Spunt says has a Hüsker Dü vibe. Overall, Randall, Spunt and Bermudez focused on crafting samples first before developing riffs and beats — a first for the band. “We worked up a large palette of samples,” says Randall. “We’re more adventurous and going down the rabbit hole, not knowing what to expect.”
No Age will unveil many of their new jams this summer, including a September 30th date opening for Sonic Youth and Pavement in Hollywood. And while the band plans to tour with a new member for their upcoming shows, it won’t necessarily be with their pal Bermudez. “It’s a revolving seat,” says Randall. “We’re gonna get Paul McCartney to play with us.” “Yeah,” cracks Spunt. “Or maybe Thom Yorke.”