It’s been a couple years since my last interview with Dredg, and within that time, I’ve become infatuated with Dan The Automator projects Handsome Boy Modeling School and Lovage. As I get reacquainted with Dredg vocalist Gavin Hayes and guitarist Mark Engles over dinner on Sunset Blvd, Hayes chimes in on the renowned producer.
“Dr. Octagon, Handsome Boy, Lovage — he’s done a lot of great work. Growing up in the Bay Area, most people dig at least one of his things.”
Dredg, who recently released their Dan The Automator-produced effort, Chuckles & Mr. Squeezy, have quite a bit in store in the coming months: a current US run with The Dear Hunter, two music videos set to drop, and an upcoming European stint that includes a few dates with Linkin Park. In the midst of supporting their fifth studio effort, Engles reminisces on albums previously released, and humbly admits, “I actually wanted to be bigger than this. I thought I could pay my rent, buy a house, and raise kids — but that’s not really happening.”
I sit down for a candid conversation with Dredg to discuss Chuckles & Mr. Squeezy, to get in-depth insight on Dan The Automator’s music philosophy, and to talk highlights from the band’s 18 year career.
From left to right: Mark Engles, Gavin Hayes.
Engles talks more on Dan The Automator.