Doomed Confessionary: Simon Sabbath (Underdogs)
The second interview for today… In the Balkans they would say: “Rokenrol do jaja!” 😀
Underdogs are a heavy rock power trio from Venice, Italy.
They played tons of wild rock’n’roll gigs supporting cult artists/bands like Nick Oliveri (QOTSA, Kyuss) Nebula, Josiah, Colour Haze, OJM, Joe Lalli (Fugazi), The Answer, Brant Bjork (Kyuss) and more. Three official album released between 2006 and 2014. New album announced for 2024.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are a power trio, strongly influenced by stoner and 90’s sounds and bands (from Kyuss to Nirvana) with a little bit of punk/hardcore attitude and old stuff like Ramones and Iggy and The Stooges. We are not the “shoegaze” guys: we love to jump and move a lot on the stage!
What was the biggest challenge for the band this year?
We reunited after 8 years and in few months we produced new songs and play live again.
What can you be most proud of this year?
We are really proud to have realized many things in a short time, bringing the name Underdogs be present on the undergound scene again, restarting where we stopped, despite our life (job, family, etc.) is more “complicated” now, compared to 2014.
What was your biggest regret (this year)?
Honestly speaking we have no big regrets, obviously we want to play live a lot more next year, meet new people, new venues, festivals – and proceed with songwriting with this renewed energy.
What was the best concert/tour this year and why?
Last Berlin and Innsbruck gigs (Go Down 20th anniversary Festivals) has been AWESOME, we shared the stage and backstage with some old and new friends, all bands under Go Down Records: I admit I missed the spirit of family and friendship between musicians a lot! It something special and unique. We enjoyed all the bands (The Sade, Animaux Formidables, Quiet Confusion, Ananda Mida) were amazing even if with differet styles – a good thing also for the audience of these festivals, I think. But the shows in Pula and Zagreb has been also special, it is difficult to choose “the best one”.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Not a news but is a great surprise on terms of results… Messa! We are proud to be Italian for a good reason now 😀 I shared the stage with Marco when he played with The Sade, all the musicians I know in our area talking well about this band and wish them the best for the future. In some kind of way they united us and push to do the best.
Where can we see you live next year (concerts/tours)?
At the moment we stopped gigs to record the new album; probably we will be on stage in Italy and Germany for few gigs next spring, we are working on it. For a real tour we have to wait ’till Autumn 2024.
What are your plans for the next year as a band? What do you personally want the most?
The realease of a new album after 9 years is our next challenge now (probably scheduled in September 2024, under Go Down Records). We have a new sound e new ideas we already shown in the two singles »Die Or Dance« and »Stonerland« released this year which are having really good feedback from audience (both on-line and at gigs). We feel a positive pressure around this new work, many internal and external expectations of the band… Can’t wait to have the record in our hands!
Do you already know what are you doing on New Year’s Eve?
Absolutely not!!!
How can people best support your band?
Waiting for the new album you can follow our social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Instagtram), and keeping informed on Go Down Records news.In general, the real support (for us and other underground bands) is going to gigs and buy bands’s merchandising – this helps a lot!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We hope to impress you all with our new upcoming songs and meet a lot of you at gigs, we are happy to have been back and share good vibes with other people!
Don’t forget to support your local scene: small things together will build big dreams!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well