Double Dagger

For other uses, see Dagger (typography).

Double Dagger
Double Dagger live in Baltimore, 2009
Background information
Origin	Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Genres	Post-punk
Years active	2002–2011
Labels	Stationary (Heart), Hit-Dat Records, Thrill Jockey Records, Toxic Pop, Terra Firma LTD
Website	Official Site

Double Dagger were a post-punk trio from Baltimore, Maryland composed of only drums, vocals, and a very loud bass guitar which fills the space a guitar would normally take. Vocalist Nolen Strals and bassist Bruce Willen also comprised the graphic design team Post Typography, which has done work for some very high profile clients, including the New York Times.[1] Hence, Double Dagger made a habit of referring to their style of post-hardcore as "graphicdesigncore" early in their career. In September 2011 they announced that they were breaking up after 9 years. Double Dagger played its last show on October 21, 2011 at the Ottobar in Baltimore, fellow Baltimore acts Dan Deacon and Future Islands opened for the band.

History

Nolen Strals and Bruce Willen had previously been in a group called League of Death, which was initially conceived as a heavy metal outfit, but later became a hardcore band.[2] League of Death broke up in 2002 after a final show with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, giving rise to Double Dagger, as a self-described "graphicdesigncore" band, with several songs referencing design and typographic elements on their first releases. Brian Dubin joined the new band as a drummer, and played on the bands' first few recordings, including their self-titled debut album. He left in 2005 and was replaced by Denny Bowen, then of Yukon, formerly of the band Economist, with whom Double Dagger had released a split single in 2003.

During their 9 year run, Double Dagger played with a number of high profile acts, including Pere Ubu, Lightning Bolt, The Ex, The Buzzcocks, The Jesus Lizard, and Matt & Kim.[3] They have released several EPs, 7" singles, and three full length albums. The band earned considerable critical praise as well, as evinced by positive reviews in publications such as The Washington Post, Punk Planet, Baltimore City Paper and Rolling Stone.[4] Citing time restraints and "chaotic personal lifes," Double Dagger announced they would break up following a brief tour of the eastern United States, and a final show in their hometown of Baltimore. They will make one final release, to be determined, in 2012.

Past Members

• Nolen Strals: Vocals
• Bruce Willen: Bass
• Denny Bowen: Drums
• Brian Dubin: Drums (2002-2004)
• Lee Ashlin (The Fuses), Sean McGuiness (Pissed Jeans), and Ben Valis (Stars of the Dogon) have all performed with Double Dagger at various live shows

Discography

Albums

• Double Dagger (Hit-Dat Records 2003)
• Ragged Rubble (Stationary Heart Recordings 2007)
• MORE (Thrill Jockey Records 2009)

Singles and EPs

• Alt+0135 (Self Released 2002)
• Art School Girlfriend/Obey the One Trick Pony' (Hit-Dat Records 2003, split with Economist)
• Luxury (Self Released 2006, cassette only)
• Luxury (Self Released 2007, CDR of four tracks from Ragged Rubble recordings)
• Bored Meeting 7" (Toxic Pop 2008)
• Sophisticated Urban Living 7" (Terra Firma Limited 2008)
• Masks (Thrill Jockey Records 2010)

References

• Double Dagger's MySpace
• Double Dagger's Website
• Review of 2009 Album "More"
• Down With The Scene: Baltimore Trio Double Dagger cuts through Fashionable Pap with a Different Type of Punk
• Profile: Post Typography
• Interview with Double Dagger on Aural States (Mar 2009)