Unsigned Spotlight: #lameassdads
#lameassdads is a pop-punk band from Toledo, Ohio whose members are, well… #lameassdads! The band was formed in early 2021 when two friends, Ryan and Andy, decided they still had some gas in the tank for songwriting and creating. Now in their late 30s with real jobs, families, and responsibilities, they realized they still needed an outlet to get their adult angst out.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Ryan - Guitar and Vocals
Andy - Bass and Vocals
Dan - Guitar and Background Vocals
Tim - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to #lameassdads?
Ryan - The Fine Line, Something from Nothing, John Doe, Senseless Youth
Dan - Steinhart, Capital Fleet, Spirit Week, The Fine Line, Something from Nothing, John Doe, Senseless Youth
Andy - RWG, Angry Me, A Day Forgotten, Pushed Aside
Tim - Full Borer, RWG, Unsinkable Molly Brown, Betty Ford and the Addicts.
How long has the band been around?
Ryan: Andy and I started getting together weekly to record songs in March of 2021. We recorded a full album in about 4 months and released it ourselves. We got enough interest in what we were doing that people started requesting we play live shows. That's when I reached out to Dan to play second guitar and Andy reached out to Tim, who was in between bands, to join the band and help us take it to a live audience.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Ryan: I came up with the name of the band because I thought people who would learn about us starting a pop-punk band in our late 30s are just going to think “What a bunch of lame ass dads…” I figured we’d beat them to the punch line! We added the hashtag because isn't that what the kids are doing these days? haha
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Ryan: Andy and I write the songs currently, but we are open to more collaborations from the new members for future projects. We tackle topics of long sleepless nights, the hard but rewarding job of parenting, loss of loved ones, falling in love, personal growth, and remembering the glory days that led us to where we are now. I definitely think our topics will change over time. That is part of aging, growing, and evolving.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Ryan: Chaser, Lamonta, The Boy Detective, Shitty Neighbors, The Menzingers, Iron Chic
Andy: MxPx, Alkaline Trio, Millencolin
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Ryan: When I was 15 or 16 my mom begrudgingly took me to see MxPx in Detroit. Seeing them play live there with my friends was a pretty defining moment in my life when it came to wanting to be in a band.
Andy: There wasn't one in particular. I grew up in a musical household with parents that played music regularly. They played more traditional instruments so I naturally chose the bass guitar as a youthful rebellion to their style.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Ryan: I get pretty intense anxiety leading up to a show. I'm prescribed medication for panic attacks. So I usually have to take something a few hours beforehand to help calm my nerves. I will also do vocal exercises the day of to help prepare my vocal chords. I will put our setlist on a streaming playlist and play along with it every night for a week leading up to a show to make sure I am prepared.
Andy: I don't really have any routines. Mostly I just try to talk to everyone I know at the show and meet all the other bands as much as time allows.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Andy: Definitely self recording, producing, and releasing an album!
Ryan: We recently signed a deal with Punkerton Records out of Columbus, OH to re-release our album on vinyl. Brandon, the owner, saw one of our Facebook Ads when we were promoting our album last year and has been one of our biggest supporters since. We were talking a lot about how we could potentially work together and he offered to re-release the album on vinyl and we all thought it was a great idea! He is an awesome guy who really loves artists and being involved in the local scenes. You can pre-order the vinyl at www.PunkertonRecords.com or go to our website and there is a link to it as well at www.lameassdads.com
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Andy: Descendants, MxPx, Bad Religion. Bad Religion is my favorite band of all time, so that's just a bucket list item. MxPx and Descendants because I'd love to hang out with those bands and just get to know them.
Ryan: Blink-182 because Travis and Mark seem like awesome guys who would be fun to hang out with.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Please connect with us at www.lameassdads.com We are most active on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok!