35 years in, and the band also known as DFL are still burning brightly!
Sometimes the past is a difficult place to leave behind. Sometimes the past is a complex intertwining of bands and personalities that over 35 years can lead to a clear and concise point. DFL (Dead Fucking Last) are an amalgamation of so many bands, styles and forms that it is inevitable these forces would vie for influence. In some cases, these elements are counterproductive, for DFL and their latest release, the succinctly titled ‘Fuck It‘, they are the glue that binds the whole enterprise together.
I do like a song that gets straight to the point, and the album opener ‘Fuck It‘ does just that. With Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise, who produced and mixed the album, getting an early opportunity to guest aiding with both vocals and guitar. It starts with a repeated chant of “Fuck It” then gives way to pure, raw punk. Driving, scuzzy guitars, pounding drums andangry vocals provide a strong foundation, then a tempo change and a very slick guitar solo before a return to that slower churning pace. A solid opener.
There’s more of a classic hardcore feel to ‘Paddy Wagon‘, a guitar riff reminiscent of a police siren gives way to a wall of anger, visceral voices and passionate delivery. A rolling bass line leads off ‘Watch Your Step‘, a lyrical recounting of a man and his struggle to have a good time in a world that just doesn’t seem to understand (“Why is everybody fucking with me, trying to have a good time”). The song is very much held together by its bassline.
‘Second Chances‘ cranks up the tempo once more, a reflection on those who have passed and the need to embrace your opportunities, almost a biographical outpouring. This gives way to ‘WWFD‘, another chance for Fletcher to show his skills; this instrumental manages to fit a lot of skilled musicianship and feeling into 61 seconds. There’s a comforting feel to Bang, a throwback to an earlier time and not in a bad way. pure power, pure fun. Of a similar tone and pace is ‘No U Don’t‘, but these are two very different songs.
‘Heavy Is The Head‘ slows things done once more, and to great effect, this is a song that shows the many influences of the band coming together, another quality track. And so, the closer, ‘Tour Talk‘. Fletcher returns one last time for a cheerful little number; “You know you’re going to die, screaming”, is a sample of his lyrics which add such a dark counterpoint to an upbeat and breezy tune. A good way to close out a solid album.
‘Fuck It’ may only come in at 13 minutes, and manages to cram 9 songs into that time (you can listen to the whole of this album AND soft boil an egg in the time it take to listen to ‘Curtain Call‘ by The Damned!), but it manages to fit in a lot of quality in that 13 minutes. This is a display of musicianship and craft that leaves a feeling of a bigger experience.
When the band first formed, current members Crazy Ton and Monty Messex were joined by Adam “Ad-rock” Horovitz of Beastie Boys. Beastie Boys producer Mario Caldato recorded their debut release, and he returned once again to help produce the rough early mixes of Fuck It. That connection to their past is just another nice touch in an album chock-full of them.
‘Fuck It’ is out now – check it out via the links below.
Main Photo Credit: RICH ZOELLER
- Fuck it
- Paddy Wagon
- Watch Your Step
- Second Chances
- WWFD
- Bang
- No U Don’t
- Heavy Is The Head
- Tour Talk
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Heavily influenced by an older brother, I discovered a love of music at an early age, initially with Punk but eventually with pretty much everything. I play guitar and bass to a very low standard and regularly ‘entertain’ my family and dogs with unwanted noise. I am usually found at the back of both gigs and football matches!
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