Some General Press!
Boston Herald - Profile/Album Preview
New Dumb takes a smart, DIY approach on sophomore album
By Barry Thompson / Music
Saturday, April 26, 2008 - Updated 17h ago
"Today, somewhere in Allston, a few post-grads will form a band. An old group, with similar pedigree, will fold. And at least one of those acts will have been influenced by the Pixies. So on paper, the New Dumb isn’t anything extraordinary. In real life - that’s another story.
Foster Hoyt (lead vocals, guitar), Jay Edmands (backup vocals, bass), and Brian Rusnica (drums) conceived the New Dumb in a Boston College jam space, becoming a full-blown band after graduation five years ago. Tonight at the Abbey Lounge they unveil the fruits of their sophomore studio jaunt, “Let’s Get Lucky.” In its six indie-punk ditties, hammered out last winter at Zippah Recording in Brookline, the sunny side of disappointment surfs along solid garage riffage and plunky bass hooks.
If it sounds like the New Dumb is channeling Fugazi’s sonics and Ween’s lighthearted temperament, that’s the whole idea. Drummer Rusnica told the Herald as much over the phone during a lunch break at work.
“We played a pay-for-play festival once, and it was the perfect experience for us to never do that again,” Rusnica said. “There are a lot of ways you can sink a ton of money and waste a lot of time. Doing stuff all our own way has been awesome for us as a personal growth thing.”
Mighty Science Records, a startup label with a hands-off attitude, snagged the New Dumb while copies of “Let’s Get Lucky” were already being manufactured, so the New Dumb isn’t 100 percent DIY anymore. Now it’s more like 80 percent, and the band’s not especially eager to cash in more of its street cred.
“If we could be successful enough to sell the records, and be well on our way to paying for recording the next one, there’d be nothing stopping us from doing that,” said Rusnica. “The three of us are always going to have fun and write songs. That’s just what we do, and we’ll continue doing that until somebody stops us.”
The New Dumb, with Muy Cansado, the Diamond Mines and the Big Big Bucks, at the Abbey Lounge, Somerville, tonight. Tickets: $8; 617-441-9631 or abbeylounge.com.
HeadsUpBoston.com - Blog - Interview and Profile
The New Dumb – January 8, 2009
The New Dumb, formed in 2003, are not reinventing the wheel, and they would probably be the first ones to tell you that. What they are doing is churning out a deliberate brand of post-punk infected with their spastic humor, resulting in a sound catchier than the bird flu.
On stage this 3-piece, comprised of Jay Edmands on bass/vox, Foster Hoyt on guitar/vox, and Brian Rusnica on drums, approach their tunes with a feverish intensity but also with enough self-deprecation to allow for moments of hilarity and hi-jinx. If you like your bands brooding and self-involved then The New Dumb are not for you. On the other hand, If you like bands that look like they are having a blast playing their tunes then do the smart thing and head to O’Briens tonight to see The New Dumb.
Q&A w/ Brian Rusnica of The New Dumb
Q: You are planning to release a DVD of your 2007 tour. What would be the script for the voice-over guy to read during the trailer for the movie?
A: we actually did put out the DVD, i think we made 25 of them, sold ‘em at shows, and gave the rest away to our families and touring friends. the voice-over would be something along the lines of, “JUST HOW HORNY WILL THESE THREE MEN GET, SPENDING 10 DAYS AWAY FROM THEIR GIRLFRIENDS?” i think everyone who actually sat through the DVD ended up liking it, because apparently we are pretty funny and charming people. you can actually watch the first 7 minutes of it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1N8WwQRBw.
Q: There is a distinct air of self-deprecation in the way the band presents itself. Does that come solely from your collective sense of humor or has the band made a conscious decision to set the bar low?
A: yes! self-deprecation is at the heart of everything we do, from the name of the band to the names of the albums and a bunch of the songs, and definitely even into our live show. it’s definitely a collective thing from what we find funny, and hopefully we can make some people smile at the same time as they are hopefully appreciating our actual music. also, it’s probably partially due to how much we dislike bands and people who take their music careers so seriously. we believe in effort, and working hard and sharing our ideas with other people, but hopefully never at the expense of alienating anyone with an overbearing sense of ‘we’re so important.’ the core of our band has always been us as friends hanging out, playing music at practice a couple times a week, and making new friends through our shows. plus, we’re terrible!
Q: What is the most flattering/sickening band comparisons The New Dumb has received from fans, friends, family, press etc…?
A: the most flattering things we’ve ever heard are when people compare us to say the Pixies, Fugazi, or any of those really good bands in between. when people reach a little further and say they hear things like the Minutemen or Ween as influences, that’s really exciting as well. i think we tended to be pretty blatant earlier in the band with what we’re trying to emulate, but after 6 years of doing this, we feel that our “sound” is pretty well defined inside our practice space. the most depressing thing for me personally was when someone said we sounded like the Offspring, although they were pretty fun when i was in 7th grade!
Q: You released your second album this past year Let’s Get Lucky on Mighty Science Records. can you tell us about the label and how you ended up working with them? Also, what, if any, were the differences in the process between you’re self-released record and this one?
A: the label is a start-up based in DC and South Carolina. we haven’t fully explored what working with the label could bring to us, but we’re looking this year to tour more in the summer, and definitely put out another record with their help when it starts to get warm out again.
the best part about the label is how we met one of the founders, Zak Jordon, during our ‘07 tour. we were talking with Zak on the computer about trying to get his band to play with us on a Monday night in Washington, and although we couldn’t get it to happen, he came to the show with a bunch of his friends. we had known him for about 90 minutes in real life, and then we asked him to come on stage with us and sing a Misfits cover. four months later, we were signed to his new label! so i guess the moral of the story is, get in the van, meet people, listen to the misfits and something good will happen.
Q: If you could play a show in Boston with 3 other local bands who would they be and at what Boston venue would you play?
A: i love a lot of boston bands, so it’d be tough to choose! Harris is the first one that comes to mind; i think we do some similar things in the ‘genre’ of a harder indie-rock, so i think our friends and theirs would enjoy the experience. we finally played with them this past april on their residency at O’Briens. plus they’re great people.
i’d also put on Amoroso, who are a band we’ve played with a couple times (once before they were even called Amoroso) and are absolutely brutal. and finally, we’d probably play with Piles, just so we could finally do our awful cover of “Sub-Mariner” in public and thoroughly embarass both us and them. the song is in drop D and 7/4, which are two things that we will probably NEVER have in one of our songs, haha, and rightfully so.
for venue, i’d say Middle East Downstairs because i’ve always wanted to hang out “backstage” during a show i was playing, and after 60 shows in this band, we’ve yet to play in a venue that even has a backstage!
Boston Metro - profile/show preview - July 2, 2009
"This band sometimes sounds sorta like a combination of the Minutemen and Fugazi, though they haven't quite worked it out yet. Still, they're definitely on the way to creating their own version of punk, which is precisely the point of punk if you ask us. Plus, they get bonus points for a funny Kylie Minogue cover."
Reviews for Let's Get Lucky
"Now here’s some fun stuff right here. Know fuck-all about these guys, but they’ve got that enjoyably ramshackle air to their music that makes me think of Radon circa their brilliant first LP (rather than their wretched 2007 comeback...) albeit with an indie rock agenda that means they're sometimes swiping Superchunk's syrupy melodies and others delving into staccato Pixies spikiness. While the lyrics leave more than a little to be desired at times (clue: one song is called ‘Buxom Vixen’) there are plenty enough funky, joint-popping bass hooks, wiry guitar lines and all-round good times to be had to ensure that this one should be a keeper for those that like their indie rock to contain a little levity."
- Collective Zine : http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/reviews/?id=6713 - Reviewed by Alex Deller
"[The] 2008 album Let’s Get Lucky by The New Dumb can be summed up in one word: catchy. I don’t mean that in an ironic way, or with any sort of sarcasm. As I listened to their latest work, I found myself humming along, doing a little groove in my chair. I drew comparisons to The Raconteurs, with a hint of The Hives or The Killers. They’ve got a solid indie/punk/rock thing going on, and they’re worth checking out.
Allston, Massachusetts, band The New Dumb has been around since 2003, when, in their words, “Rock music was ready for a messiah. Instead, they received The New Dumb.” They’ve played mostly in Massachusetts and New York, though a 2007 tour saw them hit places like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. Prior to Let’s Get Lucky, they’ve released This Could Be Disastrous, their debut EP, which came out in 2006.
Let’s Get Lucky opens with “Pea-knuckle,” a cool, entertaining number that really gives you a good feel for their sound – it’s got relatively simple rhythm, but it works. What really sets it apart from other bands’ songs are the vocals – both lead vocals, performed by guitarist Foster Hoyt, and backup vocals, done by bassist Jason Edmands. The group is rounded out by drummer Brian Rusnica (who, according to their promo material, hardly sings).
As I familiarize myself with The New Dumb, both through their music and by checking out their website, it has become obvious that at least one of these guys, and perhaps even all of them, have a great sense of humor. More than anywhere else, this is obvious in their third track, “The Viper The Bison The Weasel The Whale-Man” (from here on out, I’m just going to use TVTBTWTWM). The lyrics for the song are silly, frankly, and this is underscored by the accent that Hoyt affects for the performance. TVTBTWTWM opens saying, “Oh, the viper says/ My poison rests when I’m finally fed/ I don’t believe you/ The bison says/ But the bison is dead.” The instrumental side of things underscores the lyrics with up-tempo beats and explosive hits.
My favorite of this six-track album is the last – “Dance Solo.” It starts with a simple electronic intro, eventually adding in bass, drums, guitar, and vocals. More than anything, it sounds like a bit of Ok Go got mixed in, and that’s not a bad thing. This song is really fun – simple, but fun. “Dance Solo” is easily the best song of the album; it transitions perfectly from electronic-influenced stuff to rocking my face off in the span of about five seconds. On a side note, The New Dumb absolutely made my day with this one – near the end, they threw in some cowbell! Awesome.
Let’s Get Lucky is a cool rock album that is deserving of your attention. From “Pea-knuckle” to TVTBTWTWM, The New Dumb knows what they’re doing, and they do it with a swagger that few can pull off. If you’ve got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, this album would be a great way to spend it."
Independent Clauses - http://independentclauses.com/2009/01/the-new-not-so-dumb/
Reviews for This Could Be Disastrous
"Allston, Massachusetts trio The New Dumb might have a ridiculous moniker but their sound is serious. Utilizing multiple harmonies and hardy riffs, The New Dumb write pop songs wrapped in an enigma of indie rock and proto punk. But unlike so many likeminded groups, they never fall into the traps of discordant noise instead opting for catchy hooks. Imagine Hot Water Music with a singer that could sing like he was in a good emo band."
- Smother.net
"Picture this: The Pixies and Fugazi are playing a show together (for all purposes we’ll say in Allston, MA) but the discotheque located next store has its sound system cranked and random shots of danceable, funktastic tunes keep breaking through the sounds of post/indie-punk. If you are creative and imaginative enough then you may be able to picture The New Dumb’s latest EP, This Could Be Disastrous: six well-varied songs which blend hooks and grooves with stripped-down indie/punk rock.
The album begins with the energetic “Princess,” a well driven song with a deadly bass line that serves as the perfect intro to the album. The follow-up, “Cross-eyed Bear,” is a bit more laid back, but no less enjoyable... not to mention it has a great vocal harmonies. “Rather” and “Awfully Good” both exhibit a good blend of post-punk smarts and pop appeal. But it is “Colossal” that is likely the finest track on the CD, being a perfect amalgamation of their various styles. The final song “Unbelievably Unsuccesful” is a nice way to close out the disc, having a mellow vibe similar to “Cross-eyed Bear.”
Musicianship is more than coherent by punk standards, and you can tell these 3 cats have enough experience playing music with each other that they are in the “groove.” The bass playing is especially noteworthy throughout the disc, with admirable drum work and guitar playing accompanying it. The multitude of vocals is a nice touch and the vocals are raw enough to have the indie-punk appeal, yet in key enough to not make me loathe it like much old school punk-rock. Overall this album may not be to the scale of a tsunami but it will hopefully make some waves in the scene for this hardworking band. The New Dumb have been at it for a few years now and this is album is a positive step forward for any band. Good songs, Good hooks, and a real nice package for the CD."
- Independent Clauses, December 2006
"This could be disastrous, but instead it is quite good. The New Dumb did an impressive DIY release a few years ago and despite the big studio sound tweaks, still sounds very fresh and immediate. Fans of The Pixies, Fugazi, and The Misfits will easily latch onto the energy and the simplicity of the tunes. Foster Hoyt's vocal sounds a little too emo at first but can certainly kick and yowl when the band gets it into high gear. At times the band reminds me of a supercaffinated Firehose. This recording should be played loud and often."
- The Noise, October 2006
"The New Dumb’s greatest success is in making their music sound fun. With a nod to Do-It-Yourself artists and those fueled by the classic aesthetic of Devo and The Ramones, the group’s slightly unpolished pop refrains pump out a smart, short record. At just under 20 minutes in length and featuring six songs, This Could Be Disastrous is more than a tribute to the band’s punk influences — it’s a clever extension.
In their opening track, “Princess,” the band provides all the classic punk rock motifs: snarly guitars, a cowbell, and a chorus of “whoa, oh, oh” backing vocals. The result, however, isn’t a contrived confluence, but something that feels duly authentic. Pushing their tricks a bit further in “Rather,” The New Dumb employs an opening guitar riff that is amusingly intercut with sound bites from former CBS news anchor Dan Rather and continues with some irreverent lyrics and playful music. Though the band draws perilously close to ska territory in “Awfully Good,” they redeem themselves quickly with vocalist Foster Hoyt’s dynamic singing style, which sounds its best on the final track, “Unbelievably Unsuccessful.”
The trick to The New Dumb’s triumph is their willingness to avoid taking themselves too seriously while still recording some serious music. As cheeky as punk can be and as simple as its structure can get, it’s a common mistake to assume it’s simplistic. By performing Kylie Minogue covers in concert (“Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”) and even in their choice of band name, it’s clear The New Dumb seek to disarm their listeners early on. At the same time, they’re willing to pen songs about relevant topics and manage to take us by surprise at each attempt with their singular songwriting style, offering up the essence of punk in a contemporary offshoot that is definitely worth hearing." (Future City Records)
-Len Sousa, New England Performer, December 2006
"Allston-based band The New Dumb recently released its rock/punk-infused debut EP This Could Be Disastrous. In case you were wondering, it's not. It's clear The New Dumb would rather be singing about pure randomness then about the typical love and heartbreak of most indie bands of today. And with that band name, it's obvious the members aren't pretentious...The result: a great EP that needs to be played loud-with the bass up-to be truly appreciated."
- The Berkeley Beacon (Emerson College), October 2006
"I’m not really sure what happened to the old dumb. Seems that just yesterday, the old dumb was busy figuring out what to do about North Korea and weeding NAMBLA members out of Congress. Now there’s a New Dumb, and they play rock that reminds me of Fugazi, but in a newer, less D.C., more Allston-ish way."
- The Weekly Dig, 'Defend Yourself' Profile, October 2006
Well-Rounded Radio Mix #4: (Awfully Good and Colossal): "both are from their debut EP called This Could be Disastrous, which is a really tremendous EP and it could be my favorite of the month."
- Charles McEnerney, Well Rounded Radio, February 2007
More Reviews
"These guys are a no-frills, straight ahead rock band in the tradition of Fugazi and The Talking Heads. When it seems like most local acts are more focused on their quasi-post-punk-emo-esque-b.s. image and rehashing crappy pulp rock, the New Dumb show up, rock their set with solid songs and walk off stage having given you their music and nothing excessive. I dig these guys."
- Dustin Lee, WRBB Radio - "Some Things Considered"
"The New Dumb are the band I've come to see, because the drummer is a great guy with excellent taste in music. His band are a three-piece, playing simple, silly punk songs. ...I like the guitarist's grumpily self-deprecating patter, and some of the songs (the pirate song in particular) are goofy fun."
- Steve Gisselbrecht of The Noise - Live Show Review