A wired and frenzied collection of wrought glares and sonic punches in the face is of course what you can expect from NZ punks Die! Die! Die!’s latest EP What Did You Expect.

Having dropped in December last year on Bad Health Records, it marks the eighth release from the hardworking (and even harder touring) trio who are currently in the country on a national tour in celebration of its release.

Being so familiar to Aussie fans (given their relentless touring and release schedule) we decided t take a different look at the guys by asking them to rank their own releases from worst to best, which band member  Andrew Wilson did., and he didn’t hold any punches. Check out the list below and see if you agree. Also pop by the band’s Facebook for more info on their current Aussie tour.

#8 Die! Die! Die! LP (2006)

Unfortunately I think this is my least favourite release we have done. We had played so many shows in NZ and OZ and didn’t have much time to write and completely rushed into recording it in Chicago with Steve Albini. In hindsight we shouldn’t have booked a date with Steve and just recorded once we had enough material.

Also I got really sick before we recorded the album and could hardly talk let alone sing so my vocals sound pretty strained. I wish I could have resung my vocals on this record and I cant listen to it with out cringing. Also it will unfortunately always stay in my mind the fact Michaels dad passed away just when we finished this record so it has a heavy vibe.

#7 Locust Weeks (2006)

This is the weakest and the weirdest release we have done because Henry(who was playing bass at the time) and Michael and I we all living very different lives in New York.

We wrote this EP on a street called Locust street in Bushwick in Brooklyn. This was rushed together by our manager at the time.

This was also recorded in the Walkmen’s Studio and feel exciting.

#6 Swim 2014

We started working on these songs with Rory in London. In hindsight I think we were on the right path when we started this album, but the usual over analysis happened again we decided to start again and rerecord the album in NZ with Chris who had done Harmony.

I think we had run out of Ideas and it felt like we were going through the motions at times. It was super fun recording this record but I don’t know if it turned out how anyone wanted it too!

#5 Form – 2010

I really enjoyed writing this record in Newcastle (UK), London and at our favourite venue in the world Chicks Hotel in Dunedin.

But with this album I feel we tried a little hard to sound “grown up” (Fuck what were we like 24 at the time) and not to mention we all were a little burnt out from so many shows and the partying was starting to take precedence over the music which heighten my anxiety which was really crippling at times. I feel sorry for the people in my life at the time of making this record.

#4 What Did You Expect 2015

I love this EP. It is the opposite of Swim in the fact it is probably our most “no fucks given” release.

I was maybe slightly enjoying playing guitar too much on it though.

I think Rory Atwell did an amazing job recording and playing bass on it.

#3 Promises, Promises 2008

This was such a life changing record for everyone. It was our first record with Lachlan (who stayed in the band for the next 5 years) and we wrote it in Dunedin, London, Brisbane and Los Angeles, finally recording it in up state New York at The Walkmen’s studio. This was a pretty amazing time for kids from Dunedin. Also with Shayne Carter changed the way I wrote songs forever and we all grew up a lot making this album.

My only complaint is that I prefer Blue skies which we had previously released on a Split 7’inch with High Dependency Unit

#2 Die! Die! Die! EP 2005

I think Dale recorded this so well and it really captures what we were like in 2004.

I far prefer the songs recorded here which are also on our first album.

I also think Henry’s artwork is perfect.

#1 Harmony 2012

This is such a strange record and it will always be my favourite Die! Die! Die! album because I am proud that we finished it during a time when everything which could go wrong did go wrong. I really think this record does not sound like we are trying to do anything but be ourselves entirely.

The fact the band at the time disintegrated. I got to spend as much time as I liked getting all the tones exactly the way I wanted. Also I really fell in love with Tasmania mixing this record. Its a shame that this is our 4th album and after all our label dramas because not as many people have heard the record as much as I would have liked. But whatever.

Upcoming Shows

Thursday 21st January 2016
Rad Bar, Wollongong NSW

Friday, 22nd January 2016
Waywards, Newtown, Sydney NSW

Saturday 23rd January 2016
Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne VIC

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