Having met at a house party, Florida-based punk rockers Dial Drive have been serving up tasty tunes since their debut EP ‘Never Go Home’ back in 2017. Recently, the band unveiled their long-awaited and highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Burning Bridges’, marking a momentous step forward in their musical odyssey.
I took to the record like a duck to water. It threw me straight back into my teenage days and the classic punk rock of the time. I knew I had to find out more about the band and was stoked when vocalist and guitarist Nathan Durazzo agreed to an interview! Chatting with us about the new album, influences, and what his songwriting process looks like, please give a big welcome to our new friend Nathan from Dial Drive!
Welcome aboard Nathan! It’s great to have you here! For those who don’t already know, who are Dial Drive and what brought you all together?
We’re a punk/pop-punk band from Orlando, FL. We started in early 2017 and since then we’ve just been doing our thing playing shows, touring the U.S., and self-releasing our music. We originally met at a house party in Orlando.
Your long-awaited sophomore album is finally out, and I’ve been loving every minute of it! It reminds me of the classic punk rock that filled most of my teenage years. How proud are you of ‘Burning Bridges’ and would you say it deviates sonically from your debut album ‘Wasted Time’?
I feel like Dial Drive is always evolving. We don’t stick to just one genre or box ourselves into one specifically. Our last EP was a post-Covid acoustic album. This album is much heavier. We’re really letting out all the angst.
‘Bury Me’ was a hard-hitting tune that instantly resonated with me – and I still rock out to it a couple of times every day! What does the song mean to you?
We really push ourselves vocally in this song. It’s usually in the first half of the set. It’s one of our heavier ones too, so it was cool to release it as a single to show that this album will have a bit more of a dynamic sound.
You’ve mentioned acts like Alkaline Trio, NOFX, Taking Back Sunday, and Pennywise as being inspirational to your sound. Are there any other bands or artists you’d give a shoutout to for having helped shape your music?
Bad Luck, Free Throw, and Hot Mulligan really got me into vocal frying.
Besides music, what other interests tie you and your bandmates together? Walk us through a non-music day in the life of Dial Drive and its members.
When we’re on tour, Billy and I like to play wiffle ball. We’ll pick a nice park to grill out and have an intense game of one-on-one. My arm is usually jelly after throwing my hardest for 6 innings. Good thing I don’t drum.
Could you tell us a bit about your songwriting process? Not specifically for any song but just in general. How do you take an idea and turn it into a piece of music?
I’m always singing. I’ll be at work, in the car, or at home, and I am constantly humming something. I’ll record it in my phone so I won’t forget and just noodle on guitar until something comes up. There are tons of random lines and ideas on my phone. I’ll Frankenstein a riff with another until a song starts to come together, or bring up a riff at practice and we all work to build on it together.
If you were allowed to collaborate with one musician or band, who would you choose?
Taylor Swift. That would be fucking sick. Alkaline Trio would be cool too. Or getting to work with a producer like John Feldmann.
Thanks so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what comes next for the project?
It won’t be long before you hear more from us. We have about 10 songs written and ready to go. We’re getting back in the studio ASAP!
