Double Dagger

Double Dagger are a post-punk trio from Baltimore, Maryland composed of only drums, vocals, and a very loud bass guitar which fills the space a guitar would normally take. Vocalist Nolen Strals and bassist Bruce Willen also comprise the graphic design team Post Typography, which has done work for some very high profile clients, including the New York Times.[1] Hence, Double Dagger made a habit of referring to their style of post-hardcore as "graphicdesigncore" early in their career.

History

The band has been active since late 2002, and have toured around the United States, garnering a large following in the years since forming. Nolen Strals and Bruce Willen had previously been in a group called League of Death, which was initially conceived as a heavy metal outfit, but later became a hardcore band.[2] League of Death broke up in 2002 after a final show with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, giving rise to Double Dagger. Brian Dubin joined the new band as a drummer, and played on the bands' first few recordings, including their self-titled debut album. He left in 2005 and was replaced by Denny Bowen, then of Yukon, formerly of the band Economist, with whom Double Dagger had released a split single in 2003.

Double Dagger have played with a number of high profile acts, including Pere Ubu, Lightning Bolt, The Ex, The Buzzcocks, and Matt & Kim.[3] They have released several EPs, 7" singles, and two full length albums. The band has earned considerable critical praise as well, as evinced by positive reviews in publications such as The Washington Post, Punk Planet, Baltimore City Paper and Rolling Stone.[4]

Current members

• Nolen Strals: Vocals
• Bruce Willen: Bass
• Denny Bowen: Drums

Past members

• Brian Dubin: Drums (2002-2004)
• Lee Ashlin (The Fuses), Sean McGuinness (Pissed Jeans), and Ben Valis (Stars of the Dogon) have all performed with Double Dagger at various live shows.

Discography

Albums

• Double Dagger (Hit-Dat Records 2003)
• Ragged Rubble (Stationary Heart Recordings 2007)
• MORE (Thrill Jockey Records 2009)

Singles and EPs

• Alt+0135 (Self Released 2002)
• Art School Girlfriend/Obey the One Trick Pony' (Hit-Dat Records 2003, split with Economist)
• Luxury (Self Released 2006, cassette only)
• Luxury (Self Released 2007, CDR of four tracks from Ragged Rubble recordings)
• Bored Meeting 7" (Toxic Pop 2008)
• Sophisticated Urban Living 7" (Terra Firma Limited 2008)

References

• Double Dagger's MySpace
• Double Dagger's Website
• Review of 2009 Album "More"
• Down With The Scene: Baltimore Trio Double Dagger cuts through Fashionable Pap with a Different Type of Punk
• Profile: Post Typography
• Interview with Double Dagger on Aural States (Mar 2009)