NEW DAWN FADES - Blood From The Soul ... (Usa - Doom/Sludge - Interview with George).

Hello! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music? 
Hello, my name is George. I play guitar and sing for New Dawn Fades. My first real connection to music happened at a really young age. I remember being about five or six, sitting in the car while my mom was inside, auditioning for a band. I could hear her singing songs I recognized from the radio and it blew my mind that she could perform them almost flawlessly. That was probably the first time music really clicked for me (Awwwh, LOVE that story, amazing ! - Ed.). A few years later, in third grade, I picked up the trumpet and started getting seriously into music. By junior high, I had discovered punk rock and hardcore. What drew me to those genres, especially compared to metal at the time, was that they felt attainable. The energy was raw, and the music sounded like something I could actually learn and be a part of. That said, my first actual real taste of performing came from playing trumpet in my Jr High jazz band. Being on stage, feeling that energy, it’s a kind of high you just can’t replicate. At least for me, nothing else comes close. Since then, I’ve always had music running through my head. Whether it’s a riff, a rhythm, or a vocal line, I’m constantly creating in some form. This band is my outlet, it’s how I scratch that itch that never really goes away.

Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above
all – WHY the need to form THIS band?
So about New Dawn Fades… For the last few years, I’ve had a very specific sound in my head. I’ve always been drawn to all kinds of heavy music, 70s rock, 80s metal, 90s grunge, doom, stoner rock, anything with weight and groove. I tried to chase that sound in a few different bands over the years, but it never really came together the way I heard it. So, a couple years ago, I decided to just do it myself. I took three of my favorite songs I had written, recorded them with a drummer, and put them out there hoping it would attract the right people, the ones who heard what I was hearing. That’s how this band came together. I found Corey through a Craigslist ad I posted looking for a guitar player. Same thing with Al, our bass player, he answered an ad. The funny part is, we later realized we had probably been in the same rooms before, playing the same shows with different bands, just never actually crossing paths. The final piece was Steve. I knew him from the local punk and hardcore scene, and originally asked if he could fill in after we lost our first drummer (I had assumed he was super busy and probably not into my style of heavy rock, haha). Instead, he offered to join full-time, which was exactly what we needed. Before this band, we all came from different corners of the scene. I’ve been in bands for a couple decades, most recently singing for Ritual Earth, before that, playing guitar in Halo of Snakes and Aim of Conrad, and if you wanna go way back for the 90s hardcore kids, singing for Autumn. Steve also plays in Saetia, Corey was in Blackhand, and Al played in Green Meteor, which I actually remember booking back in the day.

Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost?
Because we pull from so many different influences, it’s hard to sum our sound up in one word, other than just calling it heavy underground. We grew up on everything from the 70s through the 2000s, and all of that found its way into what we do. At the end of the day, our sound is a reflection of everything we came up on. We take the best parts of those eras and bring them together into something that feels natural and honest. We’ve gotten comparisons to bands like Soundgarden, Corrosion of Conformity, Down, that kind of lane. It’s melodic vocals over heavy, riff-driven music. We’re not trying to reinvent anything or force it into something it’s not. It’s the kind of music you blast in your car with the windows down, sing along to, or pick up a guitar and play yourself. We are the kids in the crowd that are now playing in front of the crowd to anyone willing to listen. We're pretty real about what we do. You should listen to us because our band could be your band. 


 
Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences? How important are the lyrics for you? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics? 
Musically, I think our influences are pretty clear when you hear us. When I was writing these songs, I had a lot of different bands in rotation, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Mercyful Fate (that’s where some of that ’80s metal edge comes from) along with the thrash I grew up on like Exodus, Testament, Overkill, and Anthrax. There’s also stuff like High on Fire and Mastodon in there, and a huge influence from the early Danzig records, that dark, evil tone. Then you’ve got bands like Trouble, Goatsnake, and Queens of the Stone Age. I could honestly go on forever, but it all feeds into the same place. Lyrically, it’s evolved a lot over time. When I was younger, I leaned toward more direct, relatable lyrics, probably from growing up on hardcore bands like Uniform Choice and 7 Seconds. That style was simple, honest, and to the point. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve shifted more toward writing that feels layered, something you can read into. I use a lot of metaphors now. Most songs come from a real experience or a specific moment in my life, but I try to express it in a way that isn’t so literal. Because of the kind of music we play, that usually leans darker in tone. I also went through a big Edgar Allan Poe phase, and his influence definitely stuck with me. The atmosphere, the imagery, that kind of writing leaves a mark. And way back, I was even into The Smiths, so there was probably a time where Morrissey had some influence too, even if that’s not really where I sit now. Lyrics have always been extremely important to me. I grew up in a time where music was physical, you’d sit there with a cassette or vinyl, reading along to the lyric sheet while the record played. That experience stuck with me, especially when I got into punk and hardcore, where understanding what the song was saying actually mattered. At this point in my life, I’ve written about a lot of the major things I’ve gone through, but life doesn’t stop happening. There’s always something new that hits you, frustrates you, or sticks with you. I’ve been open about going to therapy and working through things from my childhood, and sometimes writing is the only way to really get that out. There’s a darker side that comes through in my lyrics. Not in a way that’s meant to be glorified, and not always something I’m proud of, but it’s real. And that’s what I try to capture more than anything.

About your latest release?
Our new release is our debut LP, LORES. We started working on it about two years ago, beginning with the drums at Electrical Studios out in Chicago. From there, we brought everything back to Philly and recorded the guitars and vocals with our drummer, Steve, at his studio, Permanent Hearing Damage. Steve also handled the mixing, and then we sent it out for mastering. The record is eight songs, about 40 minutes, just straight, no-frills New Dawn Fades. If you’ve connected with any of the bands or influences we’ve talked about, I really think you’re going to love this album. I’ve been in a lot of bands and put out a lot of music over the years, but this is easily the thing I’m most proud of. And honestly, playing these songs with this band is the most fun I’ve ever had making music. I think you can feel that energy on the record.

Future plans? 
As far as future plans, right now we’re focused on getting out there and landing some festival spots, hitting the road, and bringing the music to people. We’re also currently in the middle of recording five new songs for a split LP, which is hopefully coming out in early 2027 on Ripple Music as part of the Turned to Stone series. Beyond that, we already have a few new ideas in the works for the next full-length. We’re just going to keep writing, keep jamming, and keep building on what we’ve started. At the core of it, we want to stay active, play festivals, take some shorter runs on the road and keep growing this the right way.

Your most insane dream with the band would be?
Most insane dream? Honestly… probably performing on Saturday Night Live. I know, feel free to laugh, (Why ? Some BIG bands did it, it'd be awesome ! - Ed.) but growing up, that show was a big deal to me. It wasn’t just comedy, it was one of the first places I discovered new music. And in the early ’90s, I remember seeing some of my favorite bands play on Saturday Night Live, it felt like a real moment. Like if you were on that stage, it meant something. Maybe it’s not quite the same now as it was back then, but still… getting to play there would be unreal. Still one of those “made it” kind of dreams.

Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why? 
Honestly, I can’t really say we’ve had a “worst” show with this band. Our best show so far was probably the most recent one opening for The Obsessed. Before that, it was the show just a couple weeks earlier with Stinking Lizaveta. The truth is, we’re getting better every time we play- more confident, more loose, and more in the moment. We’ve hit that point where we’re not overthinking it anymore, we’re just having fun with the songs in front of people. And really, that’s what it’s all about. Those early shows weren’t bad, they were just the beginning.

Next live appearance(s)?
Our next show is Friday, April 24 and it’s actually our record release show, which we’re really excited about. We’ll be playing with Philly bands Deathbird Earth, it’s also their release show, as well as Disappearances, Red Brick, and Stinking Lizaveta (Again! Yay!). It’s happening at Phila MOCA on 12th Street in Philadelphia, and we can’t wait for that one. Looking a little further ahead, we’re also confirmed for Tampa Doom & Gloom Fest III down in Tampa, Florida, happening November 13th–15th. I believe we’re set to play Sunday the 15th, and that’s another one we’re really looking forward to. Aside from that, some things are in the works and of course waiting to hear back from some fest we submitted to.
 
Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name? 
We’re based in Philadelphia, and there’s always an incredible lineup of shows happening here. Some of the best bands are local, and I want to give a shoutout to Thunderbird Divine, Clamfight, Heavy Temple, High Leaf, Rilva, Seismic, Sins of Magnus, Boozewa, and so many more that I’m probably forgetting right now. The scene here is really alive, and it’s amazing to be a part of it.

Last word is yours... 
Nothing else to add! Thank you so much for the interview and for your interest in the band. I hope everyone keeps an eye out for LORES and checks us out if we get a chance to play in your town. And if you’re booking a festival, by all means, reach out to us! One last thing for those who care about physical formats: the album is available on vinyl, and I wouldn’t mind working with another label down the line to get it out on CD and cassette. I’ve learned the hard way, releasing an album is a lot of work! Thanks again for the interview and for everything you do to keep this scene alive. Take care of yourselves.

Credits : 
Live photos : Matthew CLARK.