As someone constantly searching for new music, it’s been a while since I’ve been swept away by a piece of music—something that resonates down to the bone. Something that I ACHE to listen to again and again. That is, until Return to Dust released their new EP, SPEAK LIKE THE DEAD.
The Los Angeles–based quartet, comprised of Matty Bielawski [guitar, vocals], Graham Stanush [bass, vocals], Sebastian Gonzalez [guitar], and London Hudson [drums], breathes new life into the current state of rock—resurfacing that grunge sound we all fell in love with back in the ’90s, but with their own twist.
SPEAK LIKE THE DEAD is an incredible mix of grungy, just-want-to-jam rock like “Bored” and dark emotion like “Abyss.” It feels genuine—and if you ever get to chat with the guys, you’ll feel it too.
Before the release of the EP, we were able to jump on a press call with the band and ask a few questions. Check out what they had to say….
What’s been the most gratifying part about starting this band?
Matty: So Graham and I moved from Texas to La 6 years ago. Graham and I were best friends growing up, we knew each other since middle school. We never really like planned to start a band or anything. We just played music and kind of ran in the same friend group.
I guess the most gratifying part is seeing people resonate with it because you never know if that’s going to be the case if people are going to like your stuff or if you can make a career out of it. Unfortunately, you can’t tell, you can’t have those answers until you’re a couple years into it. So, it feels like a lot of time is spent into it already.
It would’ve sucked if people didn’t like it and we had to go back to college or something. Thankfully people did so we could turn it into a career. So yeah, that’s definitely the most gratifying part right now.
Graham: There is a definitely a slew of vindicating moments that let you know that you’re doing alright, that you’re on track.
And I think one of those is - I think very early on when we started to get DMS from people that weren’t our friends and family. Specifically, the ones that are truly truly heartfelt. Like, “You lifted me out of this dark place and I attribute that to your music.” That’s just like holy shit, ya know.
So, that’s definitely one of the most gratifying things I would say.
What can fans expect from your live show that maybe they don’t get from listening at home?
London: New songs! A lot of new stuff coming out…
Graham: We extend a lot of our bridges and outros.
Seb: I think fans expect real music. Real rock music. Because you can always listen to any band on Spotify or whatever and get a feeling but to go to a show and get that same feeling but more enhanced with the fact that it’s real rock music. playing real instruments. I think is the best part of experiencing the live show, for OUR live show.
Graham: Yeah, I feel like it’s … the bar is low these days. A lot of these, I’m not going to name any names…A lot of bands aren’t playing out of amps and sometimes miming their parts. It’s like cmon, that’s not rock music. That’s not what rock is about. Period.
Real raw rock is what we’re ALL about here at Banded and we know you are too! Give the EP a listen below and catch Return to Dust in a city near you soon.
RETURN TO DUST ON TOUR
Supporting Breaking Benjamin & Three Days Grace
Sept 17 - Darien Lake Amphitheater - Darien Center, NY
*Sept 20 – Louder Than Life – Louisville, KY
Sept 23 - Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, IA
Sept 25 - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre - Greenwood Village, CO
Sept 27 - Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre - West Valley City, UT
Sept 30 - Climate Pledge Arena - Seattle, WA
Oct 1 - Cascades Amphitheater - Ridgefield, WA
Oct 3 - Save Mart Center - Fresno, CA
Oct 4 - Nugget Event Center - Sparks, NV
*Oct 5 - Aftershock - Sacramento, CA
Oct 6 - Toyota Arena - Ontario, CA
Oct 8 - Desert Diamond Arena - Glendale, AZ
Oct 10 - Isleta Amphitheater - Albuquerque, NM