Dissident Clone Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Dissident Clone is a two piece band, just me (Patrick) on guitar and vocals and Chad on drums. We are influenced by death metal and crust punk music. I have more of a death metal background while Chad comes from more of the crust punk background. There has always been a crossover between genres, which we are just continuing.

2.You have an ep coming out in March, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

I think it is dark and raw, which is what we are going for. We decided not to record bass guitar because we don’t have one live, so we hope it represents closely our true sound. I recorded everything in our practice space then sent it to Triple4 studio for Jamie Strobach to mix and master. This was my first serious music engineering project.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Waiting to Collapse is about my disgust for Wall Street and the government causing the so-called Great Recession. Servile Sector is continuation of that. Eye of the Wound was written about politicians who continually invoke the “burning bush” allegory for why they seek office. Crushed From Above is a call to acknowledge the creative spiritual fire.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dissident Clone’?

Dissident - to defy your maker. Clone - to know your past. It is about looking around and wanting to separate myself from the stupidity of our culture. At the same time, I feel it is important to take time to learn about history and create my own narrative of how we got here.

5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?

We have no plans of adding another member at this point. There are plenty of great musicians around the Twin Cities we would love to work with, but we like the raw and straightforward nature of being a two piece band.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

There is a core of enthusiastic thrash metal and grind fans that make the scene here great. Any show with Agitate or Plagued Insanity is a good time! A few years ago we did a show at The Hexagon with Triple Crossed, Plagued Insanity and Terrordactyls. We were the first band on and played to a full room, so that was cool. Just this last Halloween we played with Hyldifir and Eternal Voyager at a friend’s basement, a small room that was packed. Its fun playing a show without a stage, so you are just eye to eye screaming at people. I try not to talk a lot during our shows. I figure people showed up to hear us grind, not me pontificating.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the ep is released?

No plans on touring at this point, though we aren’t against it. We are planning on doing some weekend warrior stuff, getting out around the midwest at least.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of underground  metal and grind?

We are still working on getting our music out at a worldwide level, part of why we are working with Tridroid records. So far people who appreciate straightforward no frills music seem to like what we do!

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Continuing to be fast and aggressive. Chad and I enjoy a wide range of metal and music in general, but the point of Dissident Clone is to keep it fast with a few hooks and slam riffs intermixed. For the next release I am working closely with Dan Dittmer who does our art to have a visual theme with the lyrics and music.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Primarily I have to say early 90’s death metal as well as grind from the 80’s to current. Nasum is probably the band Chad and I most reference. Two of my favorite albums last year were the new Cripple Bastards and Internal Bleeding. For music without grind, I listen to a lot of Crowbar and William Elliott Whitmore, and NYHC bands like Madball and Sick of it All. I think Mitch Harris’ Menace album is brilliant, though it would throw the average Napalm Death fan for a loop.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

War and economics. I am always reading and listening to the news. War is my favorite sport. Economics is fascinating to me, especially now that the veil is being removed from our democracy to find out it is an outright plutocracy.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Respect to those who support! Check out Tridroid Records and our artist’s website www.dandittmer.com