DAD BOD "PRECURSOR" REVIEW

Bring the nostalgia up! If you already read my last review, you know it, and if you didn’t shame on you. When I reviewed Sister Species’ latest album, I confessed myself to be a huge fan of nostalgic songs, the kind of songs that takes you on a magic carpet ride... and I’ve found it in Dad Bod’s latest album: “Precursor.” I don’t think I can find enough words to describe how absolutely beautiful this entire album is, it is the kind of album that you just can’t pick a song to claim as a favorite because they’re all awesome, hitting you right in the core of your soul and stirring all kinds of feelings. Dad Bod’s is composed of five members, in the delightful vocals we have Callie Marino, who also plays the electric guitar. Now, there’s not one, but two guitar players aside from Callie, which are Wilson Zellar and Noah Topliff. On bass guitar we have Michael McGough and on the drums Alex Gray. They all understand their integral part in making astounding music. The strings in the entire album play a powerful role, even though they are electric, they’re very soft, resembling an acoustic guitar that gives you the sense of being in the woods, jamming with your friends around a camp fire. But if I have to be honest, what really makes this EP dreamlike is Callie’s voice. She reminds me of Amy Lee when Evanescence was just starting, the way she sings is exactly what my whole body and soul feels. There is a certain yearning in her voice, like she is longing for a person to arrive and hold her and never leave her (or is it just me and the feelings I get from her?). The first track “4:9” was the best choice to start this journey, it sets in the mood, it prepares and guides you to what you’re about to experience. The second track, “Elliott” slapped me in the face at the end of the track when she sings “I am not the person I wanna be”, sis… I’ve been there, done that, and I think that’s why I love this EP so much, because I can totally identify with everything she sings in all six songs. If I’m forced to pick which one is my favorite, I’ll have to say track number three “Milkdrinker”, is just flawless. It is well composed, the voice is captivating, and the lyrics reflect what all of us who are still in quarantine are feeling like right now, and I’m paraphrasing: “please don’t let go of me”. To be honest, six songs and twenty-two minutes are not enough, so please keep it coming Dad Bod, we need more bands like you who reminds us that is okay to not be okay and to take a pause to disconnect.

Dad Bod:
On the EP:
Callie Marino (she/they): Vocals, Guitarist, Lyricist, Songwriter
Wilson Zellar (he/him): Guitarist, Producer
Full Band Members:
Noah Topliff (he/him): Guitarist
Alex Gray (he/him): Drummer

(Melodic Noise) How's your day going?
(Dad Bod) Pretty good, can't complain!

(MN) What is your formed/origin story?
(DB) About a year ago I played my first show at a DIY festival in Chicago after posting a clip of an original song on Twitter. After that, I started playing solo around the Twin Cities until I asked Wilson to record my music. After the first time Wilson, Noah, and I played through our songs, we knew we would be playing full-band for a long time.

(MN) Label?
(DB) N/A

(MN) What is the story behind the album's name?
(DB) I wanted to name the album 'Precursor' as a subtle head-nod at the purpose of the EP - a stripped-down precursor to the full band full-length album. The title track is an instrumental piece composed by WIlson.

(MN) Lyrically what stands out on the album?
(DB) Half of the album is from last year and the other half is from this weird 'quarantine' period, so it's interesting to see lyrics approached from very different places in my life.

(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(DB) I don't think I could pin down one single 'inspiration' behind the EP, but I will say a lot of the songs revolve around a similar part of my life at different stages of processing.

(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(DB) I think Wilson does a great job of making all of the songs feel like they belong together. His production style is so sick - it connects songs I never could have originally imagined together.

(MN) Are you locals or transplants?
(DB) I think we've all lived in Minnesota for the past few years.

(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(DB) We love so many bands in the Twin Cities, it's impossible to name them all, but a few we have a special love for are Justgrey, Keep for Cheap, VIAL, Bugsy, Marmalade, Miloe, Alexander Natalie, and Gully Boys.

(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(DB) Our favorite venue to play so far has been our show at The Entry. The stage has been graced by so many legends - really cool to know we're playing on the same stage as some of our favorites have.

(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your shows?
(DB) Fans can expect a much harder Dad Bod sound - we like to boost the energy for the show but still preserve some of the intimate moments within the writing.

(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(DB) Our band member tried throwing a beer can to the back of the room and accidentally hit someone in the face.

(MN) Who are your dream tour-mates?
(DB) One of my dream tour-mates is Rigby. Kelly-Rose Golden is one of my favorite artists, and we talked about potentially doing a tour together when we are able. I also think it would be really cool to tour with Slow Pulp.

(MN) What do you like about living in the Twin Cities?
(DB) I love the sense of community. It's such a well-supported place to be an artist in. I also love the intersection of city and nature.

(MN) Is there anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(DB) N/A

(MN) What are your favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(DB) Quang. Fire.

(MN) Hobbies?
(DB) Honestly, I think we're all pretty invested in music. Other than music, I love to bake banana bread, hang out with my super sweet & supportive friends, and go for long walks.

(MN) What are the band's plans for the future?
(DB) We are planning to drop a full band full-length album around the end of summer. You should also expect some cool visual content collaborations ie music videos and merch!

(MN) Is there anyone you'd like to thank or shout out?
We are donating profits from EP sales towards For The Gworls, a nonprofit dedicated to providing rent assistance to Black trans people - please consider donating.
Also, a huge thank you to Louie Broughten for providing keys on some of the tracks!

Follow Dad Bod on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. And make sure you listen to all of their music and buy merch on Spotify and Bandcamp.

You can also look at Dad Bod’s performance as part of Allergen’s album release show as part of the Melodic Noise Live Concert Series.

Review by: Maureen Cruz, Writer @MaureenEtoile
Interview and edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC