Johnny Siera of Baltimore's (and, um, Australia's) semi-punk group The Death Set rapped with Metromix to give voice to the band's recent and rapid rise to relative fame. Although The Death Set is now touring internationally—acquiring new fans and accolades from all over the globe—Siera (who performs vocals, guitar and keyboard for the band) proves that sweaty, hometown warehouse parties are where the heart is. The next phase? Bring spaz to the world.
Who do you like to go hear in Mobtown?Friends' bands first and foremost. Sweaty, drunken warehouse parties. Rad bands like Dan Deacon, Double Dagger, Smarts, Ponytail, Celebration, Ecstatic Sunshine and lots of others. 92Q for some B-more club, too.
How do you like working with Dan Deacon? Any good stories you care to share?Dan is great, a real positive force on the scene always helping Baltimore bands. He is always going on these ridiculous diets. One time when he was my neighbor, he tried to live off acorns and acorn milk, but instead of getting fresh ones he just picked them up off the ground of the cemetery and got real sick.
What are the biggest differences between Australia and Maryland?Well, apart from the obvious crime rate, lots. It's just easier to stay under the radar here, and live quite minimally cost-wise, with a scene to support more underground, experimental bands. I think a lot has to do also with the population difference. It's just more nerdy and accepting here in B-more instead of glossy and pretentious.
Did you learn any valuable lessons in Europe?Beer is cheaper? Not sure about valuable lessons, but it was amazingly beautiful and super fun. Promoters really know how to look after bands there, which is so, so great. Accommodations, food, drinks, breakfast even. Really rad! The spaces we were playing were also amazing, a real history of bands playing the squats and venues for 30-plus years. The government supports the arts there a lot more, and it's great to see some amazing band stickers of bands who have played the same venues throughout its history.
How do you think your sound has progressed since the 'To' release?Well, live we have a drummer now, sometimes two, so the whole sound is much more dynamic and energetic. We are going to incorporate this into the next record.
Do you think it's hard to recreate your high-energy live shows on a recording?Yeah somewhat because for me the real feeling is what we do live. However, I think it came off pretty good in the recording.
Have you had the intense, dance-party response all over the world you've had previously, or do you find yourself getting into a more stage/audience scenario some places?We try and play offstage as much as possible, but sometimes we have to play onstage, and it just sucks having that distance. I like people bumping into us, knocking pedals over and all that. Feels like there is no distance between us and an audience, which is what we want. But audience reaction definitely differs. U.K. and German crowds were a little more reserved than Brooklyn and B-more ones, but it's getting more 'bonkas' each time we travel through a city. Overall, it's been so, so fun!
Have you gotten a good response on your new release: 'Worldwide?' What do you think fans should expect from it?It's been good. The record is not trying to say anything other than what it is. It's up front, honest, unpretentious and fun. I think people have been relating to that.
What's next for Death Set? Musically? Tour-wise? World domination?Hopefully just continuing to play around the world. We are non-stop touring all this year. I hope the more we tour, the more people will get it and spaz just like us. I can only see things moving forward in the best and most positive way.
