Eight years ago, a force of nature was formed in Austin, Texas. That force was Hans Gruber and the Die Hards. Since then, this ska punk has been creating lovely chaos ever since. Not only do they swim in the ska punk pool, they tread water in a variety of genres resulting in a complex sound that transcends any genre.
The band has a new album coming out called With a Vengeance, and it’s chock full of commentary about politics and the world around us today. Ahead of its May 3 release on Ska Punk International, Hans Gruber and the Die Hards stopped by to premiere the video for the third single on the album, “My Friend Chuck.” The song is a frantic hardcore punk and thrash number about a regular at a bar members of the band would drink at. Check out the video below!
Along with the video premiere, Kurt Armstrong, the band’s lead singer answered some questions about the band, the album, and their opinion of a certain movie’s status as a Christmas film. Make sure you give it a read, and then pre-order the new album on CD or cassette from Ska Punk International.
Some bands fall into a trap of putting out the same album over and over again without innovation, but that’s not an issue with you. It feels like you innovate and evolve from song to song. Is it challenging to make all of your influences live in harmony from song to song?
Hahahaha actually I think the fact that we let all our influences live in harmony makes songwriting easier! Knowing each one of us can bring, literally, anything to the table takes the pressure off worrying if we’re moving in the “wrong” or “right” direction. It’s the old idea of making the art you like and hoping people jump right in with ya.
The new album is With a Vengeance. It was written and recorded during an unprecedented time with a global pandemic and all. How did all of the weirdness in the world influence your writing and recording of the album?
Prior to the pandemic, Chris and I had written most of the album. In early 2020 we had just finished up the best tour of our lives and decided to hit the ground running to record. Honestly between tour and rehearsing we had, maybe, 4 days off? So we’re rehearsing, finishing up writing additional material and finally we get into the studio and start some tracking when the world stops. It’d be months before we can even pick back up, first for our 7”, then gradually more. The entire process ended up taking almost two years, including member changes. So, if you can imagine, we want more than anything for everyone to hear this.
What’s the overall theme of the album?
For us, all our songs, between all albums, sit amongst a few themes – the obscure, the occult, life’s mysteries and conspiracies, true tales that sound untrue, and our own twisted way to digest how the world moves around us. How people are taken or not taken in by influences/apathy/conformity/arrogance/ignorance. Once we had the album title, musically, we all kept leaning into the heaviest or most “With a Vengeanc-y” we have sounded yet, while simultaneously recording songs that no punk or hardcore lover would think of as heavy or full of vengeance – we love the irony of that.
Your new single is “My Friend Chuck.” Who’s Chuck?
Chuck was an older Nuevomexicano at this bar Rosey and I used to drink at in Gallup, NM. He was mostly harmless, had tons of interesting stories, but every once in a while he’d say some things that were off color or downright offensive. But, as you spoke to him, you could tell he was really trying to work on a lot of stuff, especially in a world moving on with or without him. I tried my best to paint an honest picture of this man who will forever live in my memory.
Ska Punk International is releasing the new album. What sold you on working with Chris?
Having someone who believes in what we have created as much as us (if not more) has been incredibly uplifting & motivating. Once we all felt that excitement from Chris it was a no brainer & his communication and continued passion has been unmatched. It’s nice to work with someone who will regularly get back to you within a few hours, if not minutes sometimes (even if the answer is “I don’t know” or “let me find out”). The whole Ska Punk International community has been super friendly, helpful, and excited for us in this process!
When I think of trying to compare you to other bands, the only band that comes remotely close is The Blue Meanies. Have you ever gotten that comparison before? What’s your opinion on the Meanies?
With this release in particular we’ve gotten it quite a few times and we’re not mad about it! All three of us definitely love the band and would count them as one of many influences on us over the years. Rosey in particular sees this as a HUGE compliment ‘cuz those meanie horn lines are chef’s kiss & super difficult!
With the world opening back up and a new album to promote, you’ve got a batch of touring coming up soon. What can folks expect from a typical Hans show?
I heard that if you get stage fright you should imagine the crowd naked. So I start the show by stripping to my boxers, to put the crowd at ease. Rosey follows up by rolling around on the floor a bit with her saxophone while Chris pushes the pedal to the metal and the journey begins. Eventually a bag of tricks opens up and we have cowbells, claves and even a guira pop out… along with a multitude of sock puppets as a teaching tool. By the end there should be a second line, to celebrate our set and to mourn its end.
What is your take on the state of ska music in 2022?
With all the amazing ska releases of 2021 (Joystick, Flying Raccoon Suit, Best of the Worst as tops over here) it felt like an insurmountable task to have a better ska year – then Escape from the Zoo’s Countin’ Cards comes in hot to keep that momentum rising – this album feels like the most honest writing I’ve heard from Jesse’s multitude of projects & it’s in the running for my album of the year.
What new bands are you really digging these days?
A few of us caught Soul Glo’s set, well the parking lot set up, at Fest last year and fell in love instantly (their album Diaspora Problems is also in the running for album of the year). Out of Dallas some friends of mine started up a super fun Cumbia project Cayuga All Stars and dropped an EP not too long ago and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Rosey has been digging an Austin local folk punk outfit called Dirty Genes, and Chris has been chatty about another local band, User Unauthorized.
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
Absolutely, yes. Ho ho ho now I have a machine gun check the soundtrack listing.
Any last words?
Gas got expensive and touring was missed for two years! Come out and support every band everywhere. We all need it… and places to sleep!