Supergroup The Defiant has released their first single, “Dead Language.”
The band consists of five former members of previously established bands including former drummer of The Offspring Pete Parada, former Smash Mouth guitarist Greg Camp, former Street Dogs bassist Johnny Rioux, former member of The Briggs Joey La Rocca on guitar and keys, and lead singer Dicky Barrett formerly of The Mighty Mighty BossToneS.
“Dead Language” discusses anti-social behavior as Barrett sings about the “A/C blasting” while having “everything I need right here at my fingertips” — a reference to smartphones.
“And now we walk like zombies in the land of the lost / A pre-fabricated universe our eyes are all crossed,” Barrett sings as the video shows clips of young folks focused on their smartphones. “Rest In Peace you dead language and the time that you’ve cost / Thank the Lord for opposable thumbs.”
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“All I’ve ever really wanted to do is bring people together and share a message of peace, love, and unity,” says Barrett of the super group. “With that in mind, the music created by The Defiant could very well be some of the best I’ve ever had a hand in making, as well as one of the most important and thoughtful musical experiences of my career. I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
Parada commented on the group’s lineup comparing it to the 1927 New York Yankees.
“This project is a real throwback to when albums felt like books, and songs were integral chapters in a story,” he said. “It’s a tribute to the heartbroken, the misunderstood, the lost and found, the isolated, the fighters, the believers, the wildly hopeful and irrationally optimistic.”
“The diversity of the material is great, too. You can hear hints of The Jam, The Pogues, The Specials and Blur. So many different influences make up this project,” Rioux added of The Defiant. “Those influences, along with incredible unifying and biographical lyrics, have resulted in something I’m really excited about.”
La Rocca also commented on the band saying, “from our similar musical backgrounds and influences to our general life philosophies, we have much in common and a lot to share.”
Parada, who began his tenure with the Offspring in 2007, was kicked out of the band in 2021 after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine citing the drummer had Guillain-Barré syndrome. Parada further noted his doctor advised against taking the vaccination and suggested the medical procedure could lead to further health risks.
The former Offspring drummer detailed the incident in an August 2021 tweet thread.
“I caught the virus over a year ago, it was mild for me – so I am confident I’d be able to handle it again, but I’m not so certain I’d survive another post-vaccination round of Guillain-Barré Syndrome,” Parada said, adding that “the risks far outweigh the benefits.”
Following his departure from the Offspring, Parada partnered with Timcast owner and CEO Tim Pool for a series of songs released by the podcaster.
Pool’s “Only Ever Wanted” was released in August 2022, followed by the release of “Genocide” in November.
In March, Pool released his latest single “Bright Eyes,” featuring Phil Labonte, lead singer of heavy metal band All That Remains.
Pool’s songs were produced, mixed, and mastered by Carter Banks.
