John Dieterich, guitarist for one of the most respected, popular, and experimental indie-rock bands ever, is just like the rest of us when it comes to opening his heart to, and taking care of, animals. Shortly after the April release of Noble and Godlike in Ruin, the 20th studio album by Deerhoof, he gushed to New Noise about his unconditional love for his dog, Ida Strawberry.
Archive for the Interviews Category
Deerhoof Guitarist’s Dog Has an Eye for Spotting … Yup, You Guessed Right
Posted in Interviews on 06/16/2025 by Kurt OrzeckMiracle Blood Have Mad Respect for Converge and a Mad Tour About to Begin
Posted in Interviews with tags Converge, Miracle Blood on 06/13/2025 by Kurt OrzeckPixel Grip Reveal Favorite Bands: White Stripes, Lady Gaga, Of Montreal
Posted in Interviews with tags Lady Gaga, Of Montreal, Pixel Grip, White Stripes on 06/13/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Chicago trio Pixel Grip goes deep on the clutch of songs they treasure most upon the release of their third, no-holds-barred studio album, Percepticide: The Death of Reality. Read what the band disclosed to FLOOD.
Swamp Dogg: ‘Music Makes Me So Happy That I’d Do It After Death, If It’s Possible’
Posted in Interviews with tags Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Swamp Dogg on 06/11/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
With the film Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted now streaming, FLOOD spoke with the soul legend about some of the most memorable moments in the career of an artist who’s seen it all, including a missed opportunity to collaborate with Aretha Franklin due to nervousness.
Comet Gain Burn Brighter Than Ever on ‘Ordinary Outsiders’ LP
Posted in Interviews with tags Comet Gain on 06/10/2025 by Kurt OrzeckNew Noise recently caught up with Comet Gain frontman David Christian to pick his brain, discuss his band’s new record, and ponder when he might decide to embark upon the beginning of the end for the band.
Born Ruffians Frontman Was Bred to Be a Very Good Dog … Owner
Posted in Interviews with tags Born Ruffians on 06/09/2025 by Kurt OrzeckThe stories of how Born Ruffians’ frontman and his wife came to possess their two pups more than 7,000 miles away from their homeland is as touching as the photos they supplied us with for the latest edition of New Noise‘s ongoing Pet Sounds series.
Umlaut Say They’re Having a Lot of Fun With Ex-Mr. Bungle Drummer
Posted in Interviews with tags Mr. Bungle, Umlaut on 06/09/2025 by Kurt OrzeckMelbourne-based rock-meets-electronic group Umlaut are diving headfirst into a new chapter—one forged in chemistry, intuition, and a shared love of unpredictability. Along for the ride this time around is Danny Heifetz, formerly of Mr. Bungle. Read my interview with Umlaut on New Noise.
Mclusky Says They ‘Didn’t Have a Plan’ for Zany New Album
Posted in Interviews with tags Mclusky on 06/09/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Still hooked on the outlandish, ostentatious and even outrageous new album by Mclusky—the British post-hardcore trio’s first in over 20 years? Tag along with vocalist/guitarist Andy Falkous as he gives FLOOD insights into each track on the propulsive, attention-demanding The World Is Still Here and So Are We.
Havukruunu Leader Says Potential Breakup Loomed as Band Made One of 2025’s Best Metal LPs
Posted in Interviews on 06/07/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
“I am semi-proud I have been lasting on this earth as long as I have, in contrast to all the times I have faced the potential demise of my mortal shell, or faced the option to snuff out the candle of life.” -Havukruunu frontman Stefa
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It takes a certain amount of chutzpah to guarantee that an album released in the first half of a year will likely land on many a top 10 list come December. But this writer is prepared to make such a declaration: Tavastland, the fourth full-length from Finland’s pagan black-metal troupe Havukruunu, is one of the very best metal records of the year thus far.
Tavastland dropped in late February after Havukruunu made a big move by switching to Svart Records from Naturmacht Productions, the Finnish black-metal label that issued the band’s first three LPs. To the extent that Havukruunu perhaps moved to Svart to start a new chapter in its career, Tavastland showcases the band members exploring new versions of their quintessential black-metal sound—and enhancing their musical abilities. Further proving the eight-song affair is Havukruunu’s ballsiest record to date, Tavastland is not only an invigorating listen but also a concept album.
The history lesson at issue revolves around how the Tavastians (a Finnish tribe) rose up in the mid-13th century to brutally rebel against the Kingdom of Sweden and the Catholic Church. Tracing that uprising to the modern day, Tavastland is, in essence, a record about fighting for freedom and transcending solitude in our increasingly alienating world.
Havukruunu consists of guitarists Stefa (who also provides vocals) and Henkka, drummer Kostajainen and bassist Humö. The Bad Penny recently had the privilege of picking Stefa’s brain about the massively ambitious record, which appears like a mountain in contrast to previous releases that now resemble hills. Stefa, who writes Havukruunu’s songs, eloquently and transparently (in the truest sense of the term) provided us with many an insight into Tavastland.
Continue readingAussie Punk Trio Clamm Open Up About Their Pets
Posted in Interviews with tags Clamm on 06/06/2025 by Kurt OrzeckWe’ll admit it: When New Noise invited Melbourne’s Clamm to take part in our ongoing Pet Sounds series, we hoped that at least one member of the punk band would have a clam as a pet. Alas, that turned out not to be the case—but Clamm nonetheless made us laugh harder than any other artist involved in our furry franchise.
The Bad Penny (beta) 