Hi DA, thank you for taking the time to talk with us at Progressive Rock Journal. Your debut single “Snake” has just been released, and we’re excited to dive deeper into your new self-titled album, your journey as a band, and what’s next for you.
Let’s start with the origins: DA originally stood for Desolation Angels. What led to the decision of shortening the name to DA, and what new meaning does it carry for you today?
R. Brancher: “Hello to everyone at Prog Rock Journal, and thank you for your interest in our heavy rock band, DA.
DA stands for Desolation Angels. While some might find “Desolation Angels” to be a bit of a mouthful—especially when we were based in Los Angeles—it’s much easier for everyone to just call us DA. The formation of DA came about after I, Robin Brancher, experienced some challenging in-house conflicts and subsequently found myself no longer a member of Desolation Angels, of which I am a founding member. My history with that band spans over forty years and is well documented online.
Initially, DA was created as a rival to Desolation Angels, and in some ways, it still serves that purpose. However, I’ve grown past that rivalry, and I’m really pleased to see how DA has evolved into a unique entity all its own.“
How did the current lineup come together around Robin Brancher’s vision, and what was the chemistry like when you first started writing music together?
R. Brancher: “After leaving Desolation Angels, I quickly sought out new musicians. I immediately craved a singer whose voice could soar alongside the riffs I had in mind. While the Desolation Angels singer is well-suited for that band, I sensed there was potential for greater artistic growth, and I wasn’t entirely satisfied with our recorded work. When I write riffs, melodies swirl in my mind—often several at once—each one begging for a voice to bring it to life. Meeting Matt Oakman shortly after my departure and hearing him sing felt like opening a window in a stuffy room. Suddenly, inspiration and fresh ideas flooded in; it was a breath of fresh air and a revelation.
Unfortunately, the rest of the ine up was’nt to join me quit so immediately as Matt. Initially, I wanted to replicate the Desolation Angels format with twin guitars and tried out several guitarists without much success. Although these musicians were technically outstanding and truly brilliant, they didn’t quite match my laid-back style. I prefer melodic, intricate riffing and tuneful solos over flashy shredding, as I lean more toward the classic rock vein. Therefore, I decided to handle the guitar parts myself for the time being.
After several bassists and drummers came and went, the lineup for DA settled for a while with Steve Saunders on bass and Peter Swindley on drums. We managed to record four songs with that lineup. However, the band truly came together when I reconnected with Neil Craddock. After six or seven years of living and working in America, Desolation Angels returned to the UK but quickly fell apart thereafter.
In 2012, Desolation Angels began to reform, with Neil playing a crucial role in this revival. Fast forward to 2023: around the same time I reconnected with Neil and invited him to join DA, I also met Dan Smith, a remarkably talented young drummer. With the lineup consisting of Robin, Matt, Neil, and Dan, we were finally able to complete the recording of the debut DA album. This experience allowed us to tap into the genuine rock ‘n’ roll chemistry I had envisioned when Matt and I first met back in 2021.“
Your sound blends classic and modern Heavy Rock. Which bands or musical influences played the biggest role in shaping your identity?
M. Oakman: “For me a lot of the classic hard rock/metal bands of the eighties and early nineties have influenced me in terms of the music I enjoy. And with that, my vocals have been shaped by those type of bands, especially the likes of singers such as Sebastian Bach, Rob Halford, David Coverdale, and many others.“
N. Craddock: “Inspired by the punk movement, the musician who had the biggest influence on me at that time was Jean-Jacques Burnel from The Stranglers. Since then, many bass players have shaped my style. The most significant among them are Steve Severin from Siouxsie and the Banshees, Paul Raven from Killing Joke, Simon Gallup from The Cure, and Andy Rourke from The Smiths. Learning from these musicians has greatly influenced the way I play now with DA.“
Your debut single “Snake” has a strong chorus-driven feel with a Heavy edge. Can you tell us more about the creative process behind this track?
M. Oakman: “The track Snake was mainly jammed out and created by the band musically and then I added the vocal melodies and lyrics. The music had such a grungy rock edge, it just had that Alice in Chains vibe and that somewhat influenced the vocal direction of that song.“
Will “Snake” have a music video or visual representation to accompany the release? If so, what can fans expect from it?
R. Brancher: “There is already a lyric video for “Snake,” available on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@dafilm666
Fans can expect a hard hitting Heavy Metal tune with a vibe similar to Alice In Chains. It has a straight forward on nonsense head down all-in head banning attitude to it and a huge production to match.“
The self-titled debut album features 10 tracks. Looking at the tracklist, titles like “Pillars Of Death (Desolation)” and “Spiraling Nowhere” stand out. Could you share the themes or stories that inspired the lyrics across the album?
M. Oakman: “The lyrical themes of the album go from just your usual fist in the air hard rock anthems, to more reflective lyrics on the world, the state of society, environment and beliefs. And some are more personal lyrics.“
The album was recorded at Magpie Studios and produced by both Charles Creese and Robin Brancher. What was the studio experience like, and how important was Charles’ role in shaping the final sound?
R. Brancher: “To clarify, our album wouldn’t have sounded as great as it does if we hadn’t come across Charlie. Don’t get me wrong; we are a four-piece band, and our songs stand strong on their own—fast, furious, and hard-hitting—without relying on the embellishments of a recording studio. In many ways, Charlie is a visionary when it comes to technical aspects, and his production style has made a significant impact on our tracks. Everyone here at DA HQ is very pleased with the results.
My role in the album’s production primarily involved brainstorming ideas with Charlie for each song during both the production and mixing phases. I had strong concepts for each track, particularly regarding the subtle highs and lows in the guitar riffs, and I wanted to ensure those ideas were reflected in the final product. In previous recordings, I noticed that great ideas were often lost, and riffs became diluted in favor of average and mediocre arrangements. The sound on this debut is heavy yet clear, with vocals that shine through. The album has a character all its own, which is entirely attributed to Charlie.“
Was there a particular track that proved to be the most challenging during recording, either musically or emotionally?
R. Brancher: “The track “Angels” had a significant emotional impact on everyone gathered in the control room. After Matt finished his vocal parts, there was a moment of silence as everyone exchanged glances, thinking, “Wow!”
One of the challenges I face in the recording studio is ensuring that I capture the music as I envision it while also making sure that everyone is well-rehearsed. Time is money, and I aim to complete two tracks a day, which means recording all of the music parts efficiently.
When we’re in the studio, creativity often flows, but it’s easy to lose focus. To combat this, I stick to the game plan and push forward to finish the tracks. I’m open to all ideas and will incorporate some, while I may not use others. Some arrangements have changed for the better, thanks to discussions between Charlie and me. I have strong ideas and like to see them through, and so far, I believe that approach has been successful.“
Your sound has been described as appealing to fans of Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, and The Cult. Do you feel closer to the grittier side of Heavy Rock or to the Melodic and Atmospheric side—or do you see yourselves balancing both?
R. Brancher: “I definitely see us balancing various influences in our music. I am particularly into The Cult, especially tracks like “Hollow Man,” as well as Nirvana and the entire experience of the “Love” album. While our song “Snake” has been influenced by Alice In Chains, I wouldn’t say we sound like them overall. We are more aligned with hard, heavy alternative rock, incorporating many elements of goth rock as well.
In fact, I dream of creating longer, more atmospheric pieces of music, leaning more towards the styles of Pink Floyd and Hawkwind. However, at the moment, we are a four-piece band and aim to deliver a raw, kick-ass, in-your-face heavy metal vibe in our live performances!“
N. Craddock: “I personally love all the bands we’ve been compared to. It’s a huge honor to be mentioned alongside any of them, especially The Cult. They have always written melodic and unique tracks that seem simple yet are very polished and well played.“
Live performances are a key element for any Heavy Rock band. Do you have any shows or tours planned to promote the album, and what can the audience expect from a DA live set?
M. Oakman: “We have our first gig on Halloween at Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend supporting Airforce. And to what you can expect from a DA gig, well you are going to get full on, energized hard rock band with something that everyone can rock out to!“
Looking back, are there past live experiences or performances that you consider turning points for the band’s development?
R. Brancher: “As I type, DA has yet to play their first gig together. Our debut gig will be in support of my longtime friend Chop Pitman’s heavy metal band Airforce at the Red Lion in Gravesend, Kent, England, on Halloween night, 31st October. It will be a real surge of energy for us in DA to take on this gig and we are very much looking forward to it.
Moving forward, we anticipate performing regularly throughout 2026 and beyond. In terms of the band’s development, all members of DA are seasoned gig veterans with a wealth of experience among them. Playing at the old Marquee club in London was a standout moment for me. Likewise, performing at the clubs along the Sunset Strip in LA was equally memorable.“
London has a rich and competitive Rock scene. How do you see DA fitting into the current Heavy Rock landscape, and what do you feel sets you apart from other rising acts?
M. Oakman: “I think the type of rock we play is going to appeal to classic rock fans, modern rock fans and anyone around that and in between those genres. The music will be delivered with power, energy, and true hard rock grit!“
Your debut album represents both a beginning and a redefinition. What message or emotion would you like listeners to take away after experiencing it in full?
M. Oakman: “I think it’s so personal to what someone can get from the listening experience of an album. Hopefully people will enjoy all the aspects and flavours of the album, and from that how they interpret the lyrics will be totally down to the individual.“
Finally, what are your goals and aspirations for DA in the near future, both musically and as a band on the scene?
R. Brancher: “Our ultimate goal is to achieve World Domination in our chosen Rock ‘n’ Roll path! But on a serious note, I’m really looking forward to recording the next set of DA songs and traveling to Europe for a series of gigs. Be sure to check our website for details!“
Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. We’re looking forward to the full release of the debut album and to seeing DA bring this powerful Heavy Rock sound to the stage. Best of luck with everything ahead!
Purchase their labums here: http://www.dametal.co.uk/discography/
Lineup:
Matt Oakman / Vocals
Robin Brancher / Guitars
Neil Craddock / Bass
Dan Smith / Drums