Chosen by Monk
The second collaboration to come our way in little more than a month from this Denver punk collective sees them teaming up with Sleaford Mods frontman Jason Williamson on the latest taster of their imminent third album:
Speaking about the latest single, Dead Pioneers frontman Gregg Deal told me:
While it’s easy for me to say I’m proud of every song on [the album] ‘Wagon Burner’, I’d be remiss by not admitting this one is one of my favourites… the way it came together with [bassist] Lee [Tesche] at the helm of this one.
This song feels like a level up for us, a piece that brings together elements that are 100 per cent Dead Pioneers with some other elements that are new. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, but we really are about the art of this work. ‘The Worst Among Us’ is in this camp, recognizing that we sometimes will find lightening in a bottle more than once while on the Dead Pioneers path.
On teaming up with Jason Williamson, he continued:
I wish I could express how excited I am to have [him] on this track with us.
Lee introduced me to Sleaford Mods in 2021 when we met and pulled together ‘Bad Indian’. In the space of the original idea of Dead Pioneers being “spoken word with punk riffs”, Lee pointed me to Sleaford Mods and their then new album ‘Spare Rib’. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’ve been proper obsessed with Sleaford Mods since.
This feels like another full circle moment for ‘Wagon Burner’, and I am sincerely humbled to share space with the likes of Jason Williamson.
Colonialism, imperialism, theft, murdering, oppressing and death? All the things a song needs, capped off by [Jason’s] unmistakable cadence and voice. This song was an important one lyrically, in presenting some personal experiences while acknowledging the more general grievances of colonialism and imperialism.
This moment in the world’s history is more poignant than most for a song like this. Saying the things that need to be said on a political, social and cultural level is wildly important right now.
Picking up the story and the theme, Williamson dialled in:
“Nabbing lands, traditions or symbols with cunning chicanery or beady eyed brute force” How could I not be on a tune with lyrics like these. ‘The Worst Among Us’ is the kind of song that revitalises the idea of punk within the listener. Wrapped up in some weird Cure/Sisters Of Mercy vibe to boot. [I’m] very honoured to be included.
- ‘Wagon Burner‘ will be released on 26 June via Hassle Records.
- Dead Pioneers will play two headline shows in Galway and Dublin, before making their ÜK festival debut at 2000Trees on Saturday 11 July. They will then play three co-headline shows with Petrol Girls.
