I absolutely loved my guests on this week’s Freakquency, they were lively, chatty and at times seemed completely insane but it was brilliant to have people with so much energy and enthusiasm in the right mix without seeming to over the top.
They instantly reminded me of Madness with a mixture of actively catchy lyrics, inventive use of instruments not usually mixed with punk including a trumpet, saxophone and apparently even bagpipes along with their quirky nick names (like Number 2 and Jinj) I don’t think it’s hard for anyone to link them to Madness but maybe just the next generation version with modern lyrics and an extra get up and go vibe.
I was lucky enough to have the members of Dregs of Society who came to the studio perform two acoustic tracks live on air (Cherries and Monkey Man) much to the delight of the mass of you that joined us in the Phoenix FM chat room and from that small snippet I can only imagine they are well worth seeing live with the atmosphere they create in their music and with each other.
Possibly my favourite and most energetic and quirky band of the year!
Dregs of Society are based in the Essex/Herts area, their members come from Nazeing, Wormley, Hoddesdon and Stanstead Abbots! The band was created late in 2005 in and were formed from bands Falling for Advances and The Broadcast, Chris played bass in The Broadcast and Dan played bass in Falling for Advances, Rhys played drums in both cos he likes to spread his love. Dan, Rhys and Chris then came together cos they loved punk and ska and being idiots so much. Dan moved over to guitar because he has the less stumpy fingers out of Chris and Dan. They hadn't really done much with their other bands so they tried to actually do stuff that bands do, you know, play gigs and record songs and stuff. They did loads of parties where they did cover songs which was fun but the first gig where they actually played some of their own songs was at the Duffys Birthday party in February 2006. No-one can really remember anything from that cos everyone was drunk.
Along the way they picked up a Stevebiscuit on Trumpet who raised the musical bar in the group by about 500%. They then thought that they'd try to record some songs on a computer programme that was lent to them by Jeffro, they recorded four that weren't really that good, but people seemed to like em but that was more cos of the comedic value of how bad they were. In the summer of 2006 they played loads of proper gigs at real venues like the Harlow Square and the Hertford Marquee. People were surprised and impressed, but mainly at how they managed to play through whole songs without stopping cos one of them forgot how it went. They played to no-one one night then 100 another night and broke lots of gear and got lost in London lots. They also made loads of really cool friends at those gigs (Frog Stupid, Tagnuts, JB and the Gang, and loads others) and were loving it. Always a friendly band, Dregs of Society are always keen to have their mates guest star at shows and parties and collabarate with anyone who wants them. Their live show is more of an energic party than a show, with lots of props and other instruments coming in.
After the mini summer tour they then decided to record in a proper studio with a guy called Rob who turned out to be a genius. It took some effort recording the songs but they now have a demo that u can pick at one of their gigs or one of their houses. They then lost their Stevebiscuit to further education but you can still catch him at some of our gigs. They then gained a fine looking guy by the name of Mike Dodd to help them out on Saxophone as well as a fine looking girl by the name of Jade Williams to help them out with their terrible singing. Also, after lots of silly feuding between Dan and Chris, Dan left/got asked to leave Dregs of Society. Despite him being the most talented and one of the founding members of Dregs of Society, they didn't want to stop so they brought in Joe the Hoe to replace Dan. They also hoped the Hoe would attract more females due to him being a Hoe. After a while they also realised that Jade was simply too good a singer for a dodgy ska punk band so they let her free in to the open where she may frolic! It then turned out that Joe the Hoe had a friend called........Number 2! He now plays trumpet and has a really deep and amusing singing voice. The core current line up was now made up of five members know as Joe the Hoe, Number 2, Arnivore, Fez and "Unknown Drummer". Then they found a Jinj, he now plays as well.
From 2007 onwards, the Dregs of Society had found a new work ethic and actually started to play with some bigger bands such as Sonic Boom Six, Fandangle and Scroobius Pip! "Sax Offenders", their debut EP/Album/Thingy was also recorded, again with the Rob the Legend and gained generally good reviews by fans and pundits alike! They also developped a strong local following which started to branch out when they learnt to drive. Keen to get out of the area, throughout the Summer of 2007, the Dregs of Society played such places as Leicester, Ipswich, Clacton, Reading, Windsor, Cambridge, London and Leamington Spa. They also landed a place at Rock at the Castle, being their biggest gig to date, in front of an audience of hundreds of people. The following autumn, the sexy Michael Dodd broke away from the doom and gloom of England and went to party on down in austria (or possibly australia) as a ski instructor. On the upside, during their "Easter Dreg Hunt Tour" in 2008, a decent young man named Hector Mackie (that's a real name, not a nickname by the way) started playing bagpipes for them. He impressed them so much with his windmilling they've decided to keep him!. They now are booking more dates and writing new material.........so beware.......
We're completely DIY, no label, no booking agent, no management and no website because we can't afford the web space. We're so DIY, our snare drum is currently held together with a piece of string and some Gaffa Tape! Seriously!
Now Remember That Dregs Of Society Love You Long Time.
Especially Chris.
WANNA HEAR MORE? WANNA A CD? WANNA BOOK US TO PLAY? JUST SEND ALL QUESTIONS TO dregsofsociety@hotmail.co.uk! DANKE!
Hey! Tell your friends, put our banner on your site!
Or even add our music player!!
BIG THANKS TO KEV WHO DOES ALL GRAPHICS AND MOST OF THE MYSPACE CODING!
NEW ALBUM - SAX OFFENDERS!
This is the new album from Dregs of Society! Roughly 20 minutes long, it's a bargain at £3.50 and it comes with a free badge! It was all recorded at City Studios in Welwyn apart from the last track which was recorded live from the Harlow Square! It's somewhat of a collective piece, featuring the "talent" from 8 different people including:
Chris Arnold: Bass, Lead Vocals, Bike Horn
Joe Webb: Guitar, Backing Vocals, Monk Number 1
Michael Dodd: Saxophone, Backing Vocals, Monk Number 2
Steve Wright: Trumpet, Backing Vocals
Rhys Troake: Trumpet on Tracks 2 and 6, Spoken Word on Track 1
Dan Munday: Guitar, Backing Vocals on Tracks 3,5 and 9
Jade Williams: Soul Vocals on Track 8
Rhys Dudley: Drums
Tracks!
1. The Philosophy of Number 2!
2. Leave the Band!
3. Burlesque House!
4. Rhys Stabbed Me In The Back!
5. Pre Think The Pre Nup!
6. Don't Call Him Stephen!
7. Soul Punk!
8. 3 Second Memory!
9. Cherries!
10. Burlesque House on a Jamaican Tip! (Live!)
All Music By Dregs Of Society! All Lyrics By Chris Arnold!
A nice little album with all the favorites! Available for £3.50 at all our gigs! If you fancy one sent to you just send an e-mail to dregsofsociety@hotmail.co.uk and will we sort you out! A very good investment if you suffer from depression and/or irregular sleeping patterns!
Miss the songs that used to be on the myspace!? Check out Burlesque House, Don't Call Him Stephen and 3 Second Memory on Purevolume!
SAX OFFENDERS - REVIEWS
"Hertfordshire ska-punkers the Dregs of Society have released this, their second independent EP with aspirations for further recognition. Formed in late 2005, the quartet have gone through their fair share of trials and tribulations already, with members leaving on an almost regular basis. With this in mind, it is remarkable that they have produced a 10-track EP of such quality.
Undoubtedly a little rough around the edges, The Dregs’ comical lyrics and infectious, catchy riffs have won them many fans. Songs such as “Cherries” and “Don’t Call Him Stephen” are a real assault on the senses, and are reminiscent of the rawness of early Bad Religion. All the members of the band are equally strong, with frontman Chris Arnold’s lyrics complementing those of guitarist Joe. Drummer Rhys plays at a phenomenal speed, while the brass featured (trumpet and saxophone) only help to make the CD more uplifting.
The Dregs of Society’s infectious brand of ska-punk is something that not many new bands are currently playing. We should support bands like this in order to keep a thriving British music scene. With many more gigs planned, one can only hope that the success they deserve comes their way."
From: Dan Stoten, Expose Newspaper
"Dregs Of Society is the type of band you can imagine being a right hoot live. Their contagious, comedy-tinged ska-punk lends itself perfectly to wacky live antics – think crazy on-stage outfits and full-on stage invasions.
Hence, with ‘Sax Offenders’ we’re given jangling off-beat guitars, strolling basslines, rousing brass sections and funny lyrics that cover such highbrow subjects as not getting ripped-off by a prenup, threatening to leave the band, and drummer Rhys stealing a girl from a fellow band member. The latter episode obviously hasn’t damaged relationships too much (although the band’s MySpace address might suggest otherwise).
The sextet from Essex/Herts certainly offers plenty of well-crafted songs to get you both skanking and moshing. Vocally, it brings to mind Australian punksters Frenzal Rhomb and musically it rocks like NOFX bumping into ska loons Lightyear. The very punk ‘Three Second Memory’ is a sonic whirlwind, clocking up less than 50 seconds and with interesting female ‘soul’ vocals, while brass-heavy tracks like ‘Leave The Band’ and ‘Don’t Call Him Stephen’ are just plain daft, bespoke for the circle pit.
A few years ago, the likes of Less Than Jake and Mad Caddies had their deserved spot in the limelight, only to be eclipsed in recent years by the influx of angsty, floppy-fringed fashion-core. Dregs Of Society provides a refreshing return to the sunny ska-punk flavour that you can’t help but take a real shining to. Saxy stuff, indeed."
Welcome to Hack Movies! Welcome To Strangeville! Welcome to the most offensive underground independent films in the world!
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Let us leave you with our newest promo video for our upcoming feature length film, CockHammer! Enjoy, and remember, keep it underground, keep it Hack Movies!
Thanks gang! Kevin Strange Transmitting from between the legs of a fine ass Hack Hottie
Cheers boys, we'd love to play a gig with you sometime if you know of any support slots or festivals we could join you at? We'll keep an eye out for you too. Keep up the good work. Bill
Welcome to Hack Movies! Welcome To Strangeville! Welcome to the most offensive underground independent films in the world!
Visit HackMovies. com for news, DVDs, Merch, sexy Hack Hotties, and FREE videos!
Let us leave you with our newest promo video for our upcoming feature length film, CockHammer! Enjoy, and remember, keep it underground, keep it Hack Movies!
Thanks gang! Kevin Strange Transmitting from between the legs of a fine ass Hack Hottie
my papa says that you might be playing the y soon aparantly tom told him is this truee? cause we will all come and watch if that be also enquiring as to whether you are free in november to play a gig for the Youth Debate in epping but you might be back at uni etc etc
hope all is well and that you are good! xoxox claire
Alright lads Will we be enjoying the pleasure of seeing you guys next sat? I lost the ep I bought last time so I need a new one =] Love Declan I.A.R xxx
But 6th of September would be too fucking perfect - got S|T|M a gig on the 5th in Newbury and was looking for a gig on the 6th to spread the cost of travel from Devon.
Hi Chris. No problem mate. I'll get the film to Jake at Next Big Thing Produtions for editing. Yea I'm still recording bands, so get yer arse into gear and let's ROCK. All the best Bob
