It is Date Night with The Boy Detective
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Michigan ska-punk band The Boy Detective ahead of their upcoming album release "Art Theft" out January 1st!
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Michigan ska-punk band The Boy Detective ahead of their upcoming album release "Art Theft" out January 1st! Additionally, we discussed the ska scene, working with other detectives, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have The Boy Detective join them at On The Shelf. How is everyone doing today?
We are doing great. Just enjoying some time off work with family for the holidays.
2. Mustard wonders which case inspired you to become a detective? Can you recall your first case as The Boy Detective?
The name “The Boy Detective” is actually a specific reference to one of our favorite books, The Boy Detective Fails by Joe Meno. It's probably the most heartbreaking work that we’ve ever read, which is really the opposite of what this band is about. But the name is also in reference to the countless literary boy detectives that we grew up reading and loving: Encyclopedia Brown, The Three Investigators, The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew (this is a “We’re All Dudes” situation), etc.
Our first case was April of 2022. It was with our good friends Shitty Neighbors, Take Weight, and Second String Hero at the Ottawa Tavern in Toledo, OH. It was a great night with lots of friends and not a single crime went unsolved.
3. Detectives are incredibly observant and are able to pick up on things that often go unnoticed by other humans. What are some things that often get overlooked? How can you tell when a human may be lying or hiding potential evidence?
In our experience the stillness of their body will indicate their guilt; it’s hard to hide crimes when you’re skanking.
4. Not only are you detectives, you are musicians. How have you applied your detective skills to music? Is there something in the music industry you have discovered that could be pertinent in the future?
Just last week, one of us detected that the Eb chord we were playing should have been Ebm. Boy, were our faces red.
But the one thing that we have learned, and our advice, is commit. Go out and tour. Play shows everywhere. Play shows with everyone. Have fun but all it takes is commitment.
5. Mustard is curious if The Boy Detective would ever collaborate or work on a case with other detectives? Have you become acquaintances with the likes of Nancy Drew or The Mystery Gang?
We have collaborated on cases several times, most recently on our song A Dreadful Collection of Memoranda that features Camden of D Bloc. We also released a cover of Jumpin’ Jumpin’ by Destiny’s Child that featured Pixie G. of Killing Pixies.
6. You receive a call. It is Vin Diesel. He loves your music about family. He inquires about potentially recording a concept album based on the Fast and the Furious films. Would you accept this offer?
We would turn the discussion into a tribute to Paul Walker by covering the Meet the Deedles soundtrack in its entirety. None of the Fast and Furious films had a soundtrack anywhere near as good.
7. Mustard has observed that humans love origin stories. Can you recall when The Boy Detective first formed?
The Boy Detective originally formed in 2017 as a recording project with just Nic and Benny. It was initially a power-pop-punk band with ska influences slipping in here and there. Nic and Benny recorded the first EP, Dorkus Malorkus, in Benny’s attic. From there Bret joined on drums and we started playing together as a three piece. As more and more ska started making its way in, Nic stopped holding it back and the flood gates opened.
Then, the global pandemic happened and shut things down entirely. But that didn’t mean things stopped moving. As the songs that would become Banned from the Bathtub started taking shape, we moved Benny to lead vocals, recruited our friend Alex to play bass, and added Geridan, Seth, and Lauren on Trombone, Sax, and Trumpet, respectively. This was the lineup that hit the ground running when the pandemic restrictions started to lift.
After a few months of really successful shows, Alex had to step back due to familial issues and Ricky came in and filled that gap. Rhiannon jumped onboard on Baritone Sax early 2023 and Zach came in on Drums recently to complete the current lineup.
8. Who (or what) influences The Boy Detective?
We are influenced by literally everything. Most of the songs are about things we deal with on a daily basis: our kids not going to sleep, past relationships, growing up, seducing our wives, things that annoy a 40 year old man on the internet, etc.
Musically, our influences are things like Less Than Jake, New Found Glory, Saves the Day, Kid Dynamite, Lifetime, Devo, Weird Al, Madness, The Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, Texas is the Reason, Brooks and Dunn, The Suicide Machines, Catch-22, Alan Jackson, MU330, The Impossibles…we could go on all day naming our favorite bands but suffice to say, it all makes it’s way in there.
9. What is The Boy Detective's creative process?
Our songs start when Nic produces a demo, recently just a skeleton drum part, guitar and vocals, that gets sent to the band’s group chat. Everyone then starts working on their own parts. After that, we come together at practice and the song gets hammered out together into a new The Boy Detective song.
10. Ska has had an incredible last few years. What does The Boy Detective hope to see from the scene in 2024?
Honestly, for it to just keep killing it. There are so many good releases this year from Joystick, Flying Raccoon Suit, Mustard Plug, Omnigone, etc. that it's incredibly exciting.
With how music is released and consumed now, I don’t think there will ever be another 1997 but seeing sold out tours and incredible local ska shows feels so good and we are pumped to be a part of such a vibrant scene.
11. Is Alfredo there?
He is not but you may be able to speak to a manager if you happen to kidnap the delivery boy.
12. Mustard has observed that humans who wear Fedoras are polarizing. What does a Fedora symbolize in human society?
It has so much baggage attached and has become shorthand for a very toxic type of person and that's what we were referencing in that song but we say wear what makes you happy. As long as you are not an asshole pretending to be a “nice guy”, that is.
13. Mustard is curious if your weekend still starts on a Wednesday? How does your extended weekend help you creatively?
We wish. We used to have so much time to create when we were younger but the demands (and privilege) of raising a family or just adult life requires much more time than we used to have. That said, this is something we love so we make the time.
14. The Boy Detective recently celebrated the second year anniversary of your album “Banned From The Bathtub.” What was it like to put this project together? How long is the band banned from the bathtub?
Banned From The Bathtub came together during the Covid pandemic. We recorded things mostly separately so it was very unique as far as that goes. We had no expectations and no deadlines so it had very little stress. That it came out so well comes down to the talent of all involved, but especially Adam Mandarino, who mixed and mastered it for us. We are still not allowed anywhere near the bathtub
15. Mustard wonders what is the ideal date night for The Boy Detective? Does it involve a trip to your local AppleBee’s?
Oh, man. With kids, and all that comes with having kids, any time alone with your spouse or partner is a gift. To be able to actually take time together and just exist as a couple is amazing. But yeah, the dollar margs at Applebee’s are just icing on the cake.
16. You recently announced your newest album “Art Theft.” How does each of the three singles recently released serve as an introduction to your newest album?
Art theft as a concept is something that really interests us. From great unsolved art heists to the simple act of referencing another song in your lyrics; no artist creates art in a vacuum.
The three singles are packed with references to other bands, classic movies, and books. We actually have a three page document that lists all of the references to other art throughout the new album. Listen and see what you recognize!
17. How do you know your art has been stolen? What action must take place to retrieve your art?
You will probably never know. But if you do, call Interpol. Speak to Inspector Geno Iannuzzi. He will do his best but ultimately, there is nothing you can do.
18. Can readers pre-save your upcoming album?
You can! Right here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/theboydetective/art-theft-2
19. A human invites their friend to see The Boy Detective perform. What three words best describe your live shows? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Energetic, Chaotic, Fun
We have an Art Theft release show with our good friends J. Navarro and the Traitors, Shitty Neighbors, Killing Pixies, and Strange Generation on Jan 13th at Frankies in Toledo, OH. After that, we have Feb 23 at Parts and Labor in Melvindale, MI with D-Bloc, Enemy of God, Vigilante, and Hardcount. That one is gonna be wild.
20. What can fans expect to see from The Boy Detective in 2024?
More shows! We’re gonna try to play everywhere with everyone. We also have plans for a split release and possibly a few singles so keep an eye out!
21. Where can readers listen to your music?
We’re everywhere. All streaming services, bandcamp, and especially at shows! You can find us on Instagram and Facebook as well! All of our links are right here: https://linktr.ee/theboydetective
