For Want Of
Voyage In Coma
Cassus
Lord Snow
Not to mention bands on the comp that I already loved, doing covers by a band that I adore:Coma Regalia
Carrion Spring
Foxes
Republic of Dreams
Adobe Homes
Itto
Utarid
Todos Caeran
Innards
Sed Non Satiata
Now that I have my rant out of the way, let's quickly talk about the record. The songs range from what I consider good to what I consider not so good. I NEVER listen to a comp and expect to like even 25% of the tracks - because I expect variety, and with that will come styles of music that I just don't enjoy. On this release, I would say I enjoy about 80% of the record. For a compilation, that is relatively unheard of! Bands like Carrion Spring and Sed Non Satiata belt out versions far superior to the originals. Republic of Dreams and Adobe Homes offer up Orchid covers that stay true to the originals but have the individual band's distinctive style. Then you have Foxes, who completely changed their version of "...And The Cat Turned To Smoke" so it sounds almost indecipherable from the original. And for god's sake, naysayers, we already have a perfect version of the song - so a different take on it is a good thing! Plus, I really like the Foxes version. Then you have other versions that some people will like, but rubbed me the wrong way, such as the Silencio, Ahora, Silencio! cover which I cannot stand (especially considering "A Visit From Dr. Goodsex" is one of my favourite Orchid songs) and the Piano Bastards cover required a visit from Dr. Earache.
If you want to find a slew of new bands, check out this comp. If you love Orchid and could use a new spin on old songs to include in your listening repertoire, check out this comp. If you want to support a new kick-ass label run by an awesome guy, check out this comp.
STREAM the entire compilation on the DOG KNIGHTS youtube page! Start below with the title track by Voyage In Coma. It's amazing.
Contacting DOG KNIGHTS about this interview was one of the primary reasons that I started this blog. When decent and proper screamo began fading into relative obscurity by the late 2000s, I was ecstatic to see that a new record label had, in my mind, continued where Level Plane left off when Greg Drugy closed its doors shortly after his band, Hot Cross, parted ways.
Let's take a quick look through at my top 5 DOG KNIGHTS releases thus far, which were all released in the last 6 months!!!
1 - Epilogue Of A Car Crash. A Tribute to ORCHID
2 - CAPACITIES - There is No Neutral 10" and check out their interview here!
3 - TEL FYR / TODOS CAERAN - split 12"
4 - GLLIAN CARTER - Sinking Ships 10"
5 - OLD SOUL - Tidal Lock 12"
If you like DOG KNIGHTS Productions or want to know more about Darren, the brains behind the operation of the label, check out his exclusive interview below!
A big thanks to Darren for agreeing to do this. I started this blog in a vain attempt to promote Animal Faces and DOG KNIGHTS, so thank you for pulling through and helping me realize my goal! You are in inspiration, and one big-ass Converge fan.
Grab DOG KNIGHTS stuff in North America in the Zegema Beach Records store
Orchid Tribute cd
Orchid Tribute LP
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What was the catalyst for the foundation of DOG KNIGHTS Productions?
I’ve been buying/collecting records for over 10 years.
After discovering Deadformat, I started spending all of my money on records.
After a while I started selling/trading. I really enjoyed packing up records, offering
a good service and making friends online with like-minded people. About a year
later, I wanted to start my own label. I didn’t just jump into it, but worked
out what I liked about other labels and what I think other people expect from a
label. I try to make every release special and do something different. Y'know;
be creative and stand out from everyone else!
Can you explain where the name DOG KNIGHTS
comes from? (my guess is that it’s what you call your dog(s), as you may or may
not enjoy dressing it(them) up as a knight(s) – too many brackets)))))
Haha, I wish. Although, I’ve googled Dog Knights a few
times and found ‘dogs dressed as knights’ and have been tempted to dress my dog
Charlie up like that, too.I got the name ‘Dog Knights’ from a couple of things. I originally thought it would be good to start putting on shows in Brighton to raise money for releases. Pretty much the next day, I realised this was a stupid idea. But I had the name ‘Dog Knights’ as it’s a (kinda lame) play on words for ‘Nights’.
I was also playing Okami for the second time and got to the part with the ‘legendary dog warriors’ and it worked for me. If you haven't played this, give it a go. It's one of my favourite video games. Such a beautiful game.
And obviously dogs are just awesome things.
What has been the most difficult part of
running a label?
I guess that it took a while for the label to get noticed
by people. It was pretty hard to deal with when I was putting so much
time/effort/money into releases that I thought were great, but having them go
unnoticed. After a year, it got a lot easier though and stuff started to sell
pretty well. Now I get a lot of support from people all over the world, and I
appreciate it so much.
Now, its just hard to stay on top of everything! I still
do everything myself, but Maddie takes care of all the Photoshop stuff for the
website, record packages and general layouts. Also my friend Rodrigo is pretty
much a member of the Dog Knights Familia, since he’s done so much artwork for
me and DK bands over the past few years.
Space is also an issue. My warehouse (bedroom) is
literally full of boxes. So many that I cant move around in it sometimes!
What has been the most rewarding part of
running a label thus far? (I’m sure working with the bands is one answer, so can
you provide a second one?)
Working with bands that I love/respect is definitely one
of them, but I personally find it so rewarding when someone cherishes a Dog
Knights release. There are currently around 10 Dog Knights Collectors (that I
know of) who own every single release. Some even collect every variant. Its
amazing when people get behind what you’re doing. That, and making so many new
friends all around the world is pretty crazy.
Its pretty difficult to just name one, but I think it would have to be Grappler. They’re starting to get some attention, but they deserve so much more. I guess they’re a hardcore band, but there’s so much more to them than that tag. Pure emotion and drive. They’re going to be huge one day. They’re also some of the best people I know.
Same goes for We Came Out Like Tigers.
How do you decide on which bands you will
release records for? Do you generally contact them, or do they send you demos?
There are a few different ways. For a lot of them, I’ve
discovered them on FB/Bandcamp/etc. and sent them an email, but a few have
contacted me. I've met some bands at shows, made friends with them, and then go
on to work out a release together. I try to listen to every demo I receive and
get back to everyone, but the email game is pretty hard to stay on top of these
days. If any of these bands read this - sorry for not replying!
There are a few different ways. For a lot of them, I’ve
discovered them on FB/Bandcamp/etc. and sent them an email, but a few have
contacted me. I've met some bands at shows, made friends with them, and then go
on to work out a release together. I try to listen to every demo I receive and
get back to everyone, but the email game is pretty hard to stay on top of these
days. If any of these bands read this - sorry for not replying!
I’ve heard from people that running an
independent label doesn’t always pay the bills - on its own, at least. So, if
you don’t mind me asking, is this your full time job? If not, what is?
You heard right. I put all of my time into the label at
the moment, but it isn't a full-time job. I started when I was at Uni about 3
years ago. Since then, I've moved back home as my very relaxed part-time jobs
will never cover rent (part-time carer, part-time driver).
Who were your primary influences (bands or
other labels) when you started DOG KNIGHTS?
Labels: Deathwish Inc. When I started collecting, I bought
so many releases from them. They have influenced me greatly as a label. The
only thing I hate about the label is that they almost never make it clear which
side is A or B. And what speed it is. It's literally the worst thing in the
world when you play a 7” at 33rpm on side B by mistake.
Bands: Converge, Orchid, PG 99. All because they have
released so many good records; most of which have great packaging.
What was the motivation behind the idea of
the Orchid tribute? What isolated hurdles did have moving forward with the
creation of the Orchid tribute, as opposed to a standard release?
The band properly got me into collecting/buying records,
which helped me discover loads of other great bands, which led to starting the
label. So if it wasn’t for Orchid, Dog Knights wouldn’t exist.
I gave deadlines for the bands. These deadlines got
pushed back by about 6 months, as all the bands had to record and get the
tracks mastered. Example: One band said yes, stopped replying for months, said
yes again, changed their band name, then months later told me that parts of the
song were recorded. That was the last email I got from them. Also, Full of Hell
was the first band to say yes, but the last band to send their track. I love
their cover though, so I can forgive them.
Basically, I had to chase up 24 bands for 1 year and deal
with about 7 bands not knowing if they wanted to take part or not. Still worth
it.
You mentioned to me that some people were against
or just plain unhappy with the idea of an Orchid tribute compilation. Can you
shed any light on that? How did you respond?
There were definitely a few naysayers. Some just thought
that Orchid was too ‘sacred’ to cover…
Some thought I shouldn’t have asked screamo bands to
cover Orchid, but how would that work? I would have had to literally email
hundreds of random bands hoping that they liked Orchid. I'm pretty sure that
email would have confused a lot of people.
A couple of people were just dicks. Comments like ‘they ruined that song’ and
nothing else. That was about the Foxes cover, which is probably my favourite on
the record. They completely changed it; some people wanted crazy covers, some
people wanted clone-covers; proof that you can’t please everyone. I’m
definitely happy with all of my choices though (including the artwork). It took
about a year to put together, but its been worth it. It’s a shame that Raein
‘forgot’ to record their cover though, and that Comadre pulled out at the end.
What are your favourite Orchid songs?
"…And The Cat Turned To Smoke"
"Destination: Blood!"
"None More Black"
What is your favourite Orchid song that wasn't covered on the comp?
"Les Desorde Ces’t Moi"
I asked you about a 2nd tribute album
before the Orchid tribute was released, and you mentioned PG 99 in passing as a
possibility for another band worthy of a covers album, is that something that you're still
toying with? What other bands would you like to see tribute albums from?
(whether it be you releasing them, or someone else)
I don’t have any plans to do a second tribute record, but
it could happen I guess. Releasing original music from new and exciting bands
should definitely be priority #1. However, if any bands reading this thinks a
PG 99 tribute would be a cool idea, get in touch…
Do you have any tips for people trying to
start a label?
It's not essential, but I put all of my free time into the
label. It's not my ‘full time job’, but if I have a couple of free hours, I will
use it to find a way to improve the label in some way. So if you live a pretty
hectic life with a full time job, have plans to start a family, in your final
year of university, it might not be a great time to start. Making time to talk
to your customers, making friends with bands you work with and posting out
orders as soon as humanly possible is essential for me. If you are considering helping
out with a release, listen to the full record a lot. A LOT. If you start to get
bored of it after a few listens, you probably shouldn’t go for it.
How did you get into 'screamo'?
Discuss your thoughts and opinions
regarding the ‘screamo’ genre.
There are a lot of bands doing some interesting things
right now. A lot of them aren't pushing
boundaries but can still be pretty fun to listen to. It would be nice to see
some more experimenting though, and not just copy the classic bands…
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What is your:favourite release of all time? (all time + Dog Knights)
All time: Converge – Jane Doe
DK: This is such a hard question, but I think it has to
be We Came Out Like Tigers – Agelessness and Lack, because that’s the release
I've listened to the most.
choice for best cover art/packaging? (all
time + Dog Knights)
All time: The Mars Volta – Frances The Mute 4xLP set in a
plastic red cover, with glow in the dark vinyl
DK: The We Came Out Like Tigers wooden boxset from last
year. Those took a long time to sort out, but everyone who owns one loves it…or
at least I hope they do.
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Regarding live shows:
best show you've ever been to?
Converge @ The Kingston Peel a few years ago was
crazy, since it's such a tiny venue.
I also saw Mogwai about 6 years ago and that
was something special. I really need to see them again.
The best band I saw recently was Killie from Japan. I
never thought I would get the chance to see them. Possibly the best active screamo
band right now.
It's gotta be Orchid. Or PG 99.
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Your recommendations for:
movies?
The Prestige, Sympathy for mr vengeance, and any film by
Park-Chan-Wook
books?
I don’t read as much as I would like to, but I’ve read
every book by Brett Easton Ellis a few times. Avoid ‘The Informers’ though…
anything else you would like to recommend?
Play the following videogames:
Okami, Dishonored, The Last Of Us, Silent Hill 2, all the
Zeldas, Shadow of the Colossus______________________________________________________________________________
Is there anything else that you would like to say?
It means a lot to be able to work with someone who is helping shape this
community in a positive and downright kickass way.
Its been a pleasure, thank you so much for the interest!
TOP 10 (aka 12)
Converge – Jane Doe
Envy – All The Footprints You’ve Ever Left And
The Fear Expecting Ahead (or A Dead Sinking Story)Poison the Well – Opposite of December
Orchid – Gatefold
Fall of Efrafa – Elil
The Mars Volta – Frances the Mute
Majority Rule – Interviews with David Frost
PG 99 – Document #8
Dillinger Escape Plan – Calculating Infinity
Boris – At Last Feedbacker
Buried Inside - Chronoclast
Hopesfall – Satellite years
TOP CONVERGE FULL LENGTHS
Jane Doe
You Fail MeWhen Forever Comes Crashing
Poacher Diaries
No Heroes
Petitioning the Empty Sky
All We Love We Leave Behind
Axe To Fall
Halo In A Haystack
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Additional links:
DOG KNIGHTS website
http://www.dogknightsproductions.com/DK/enter.html
DOG KNIGHTS store
http://dogknightsproductions.bigcartel.com/
DOG KNIGHTS bandcamp
http://dogknightsproductions.bandcamp.com/
DOG KNIGHTS facebook
https://www.facebook.com/dogknights
DOG KNIGHTS youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/DogKnightsPromotions
DOG KNIGHTS tumbler
http://dogknightsproductions.tumblr.com/
DOG KNIGHTS twitter
https://twitter.com/DogKnights
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