Expect rock on “First Mistakes”, because rock is what you’ll get on this new video from the Dead Ships. It’s a straightforward guitar-driven song, loud tambourine and thumping bass pushing it forward. And, if the mold ain’t broke, there’s no reason to fix it — its simplicity, as always belying a more complex undercurrent of sadness and exhaustion, works wonders. Straight-up rock — the guitars! the four-by-four beat! the wailing tenor! — has been king for a very long time, and “First Mistakes” is proof that it continues to survive.
“I love those studies that come out every now again that show the physical formation of a smile on your face actually stimulates parts of your brain and causes a chain reaction that puts you in a better mood,” says the band’s Devlin McCluskey. “No one wants to force a smile, but you can always assert some level of control over yourself and change how you feel.”
CITYCIDE released June 24 via Nevado Music. Stream the video for “First Mistakes” below.