The band is set to release Hope You’re Dope, the band’s 4th EP and a title that explicitly chronicles Cooper’s battles with mental illness. He opens up in this release like he never has before as you can hear him recount vivid memories over the past several years.
The band went into the studio in July 2014 with famed Chicago producer Matt Allison (Alkaline Trio, Smoking Popes, The Menzingers) and Justin Yates to bring this EP to life. Already having worked together on the band’s acclaimed debut LP Victoria!, the finished product has already turned plenty of heads that have listened.
Although being a band for over six years would perceivably make Downtown Struts more comfortable in their skin, singer/guitarist Dan Cooper still emits an air of trepidation with new material that gives the Chicago native an authenticity that can’t be replicated.
“The EP is a concept album surrounding my battle with Bipolar Disorder and severe depression. It focuses on those problems and how it affected my thoughts, my relationships, and the band. Each song represents a separate situation and its events,” explains Cooper. This is evident in “Abused” as Cooper sings “But you gotta believe / These pills are setting me free.”
The band will support the EP with tour dates in 2015 and shows around the Chicago metro area.
Track listing: 1. American Animals 2. Bipolar 3. Italian Homes 4. Abused 5. Battle Of Britain
Find DOWNTOWN STRUTS online: www.facebook.com/thedowntownstruts www.twitter.com/downtownstruts Find PIRATES PRESS RECORDS online: www.piratespressrecords.com www.facebook.com/piratespressrecords www.twitter.com/piratespress
Recent Comments