Photo Courtesy of Dead Chant
Get ready to meet Dead Chant, a South Korean pop-punk band making waves with their raw energy and powerful sound. This interview features Kangboy (vocals/guitar), Rumgirl (vocals/bass), and Noh Hyun Min (drums), each bringing their unique talents to create a truly electrifying musical experience. We’ll explore their individual contributions and how they combine to create the distinctive Dead Chant sound.
How was Dead Chant formed? What brought the members together?
Kangboy (Guitar/Vocal): I wanted to start a skate/pop-punk band. In 2019, I met Rumgirl, who also loved pop-punk, along with a guitarist and drummer (who have since left), and we began as a four-piece. After members departed, we met our current drummer Noh Hyun Min in 2024, becoming a trio.
Rumgirl (Bass/Vocal): Noh Hyun Min was the drummer for 1ton, a band I adored. When our drummer position opened up in May 2024, I hunted down his contact through friends and convinced him to join.
Noh Hyun Min (Drums): I joined Dead Chant after Kangboy and Rumgirl invited me last year. I’d always admired their energy and saw it as a chance to fully express myself in punk drumming.
What were your musical influences before forming the band? How do they shape Dead Chant’s sound?
Kangboy: California punk bands like blink-182, NOFX, and MxPx influenced me. Now, I’m inspired by MGK and Jxdn—I aim for catchy melodies, honest lyrics, and powerful drumming.
Rumgirl: The Casualties introduced me to punk, but blink-182’s playful, pop-punk vibe defines our image now.
Noh Hyun Min: Growing up with my DJ father’s LP collection and bands like Metallica and Nirvana, I fell for Green Day and blink-182 in school—their energy fuels my drumming.
Describe your songwriting process. Is it collaborative or led by one member?
Kangboy: Rumgirl and I write separately, then arrange together. We balance each other’s styles to avoid creative ruts.
What’s the story behind the name “Dead Chant”?
Kangboy: I loved Dead Kennedys and wanted “Dead” in the name. Rumgirl insisted despite its edgy vibe. It means “Keep shouting punk rock, even if it’s already dead.”
Your music blends skate/pop-punk with emo. How would you describe it to new listeners?
Kangboy: Emotional yet fast-paced pop-punk. My inner emo kid shines through.
Rumgirl: We started as skate-punk but evolved into pop/emo-punk. Check out Stargirl—it’s lively, catchy, and not just “noisy rock.”
Critics compare you to Drive-Thru/Deep Elm Records bands. Are they key influences? Others?
Kangboy: Drive-Thru’s Allister and Midtown’s emo vibe, plus Deep Elm’s The Appleseed Cast, shaped us. Epitaph and Fat Wreck Chords bands taught us punk. Recently, Travis Barker’s DTA Records inspired us. We’re also experimenting with shoegaze, like in Hitchhiker Under the Moon.
What inspired the emo-heavy EP Degeneration?
Kangboy: We aimed for an accessible pop-punk but ended up with a “disastrous” album! Still, it helped us grow.
Lyrical themes? Personal experiences or societal observations?
Kangboy: Depression, loss, chasing dreams—but I want to explore fun topics too.
Rumgirl: My lyrics are personal, often too emo. I’d love to write poetic lines someday.
How was the recording process? Any challenges?
Kangboy: I recorded everything except drums in my studio. Mixing was a nightmare—I hated my vocals. Regrets, but lessons learned.
Rumgirl: Bass was smooth, but I worried about Kangboy’s vocals. Thankfully, they turned out great!
Critics praised ambition but noted repetitiveness. Thoughts?
Kangboy: Fully agree.
Rumgirl: We’ll keep doing what we want, regardless.
What’s the proudest moment on Degeneration?
Kangboy: The lyrics—I doubt I could write them that well again.
Rumgirl: Proving we can evolve beyond our old sound.
What’s the meaning behind the title Degeneration?
Kangboy: It reflects feeling stagnant. We embraced our “decline” honestly.
What’s next for Dead Chant? What are your band’s long-term aspirations? Where do you see yourselves in five years??
Kangboy: A full-length album—we’ve only released singles/EPs in 6 years. Maybe playing huge venues, still in the punk scene, or disbanded—as long as we’re happy.
Rumgirl: Touring the U.S. with blink-182!
Noh Hyun Min: Becoming a “ROCKSTAR” who inspires others. I’ll keep spreading joy through music.
What’s that Genres/sounds you want to explore?
Kangboy: Post-punk/shoegaze-infused pop-punk with Korean flair.
Rumgirl: “Joseon Punk”—traditional Korean mixed with punk. Kangboy’s voice would kill it!
Noh Hyun Min: Music that highlights Kangboy and Rumgirl’s strengths—genre doesn’t matter.
What’s your advice for Korean pop-punk newcomers?
Kangboy: Have fun and keep at it!
Rumgirl: Punk isn’t just smashing things—experiment! If you say it’s punk, it is.
Noh Hyun Min: Ditch the “punk rules.” Good music speaks for itself—ignore stereotypes and create boldly.
There’s more to Dead Chant than meets the eye (and ear!). Their music is a captivating journey—discover it for yourself. Click the social media icons below to explore their world.
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