A Chat with Dead Heroes (03.09.25)
Beginning as two friends playing in different bands but wanting to create something with a little more oomph, Dead Heroes is the new alternative rock band destined to become a firm favourite (at least for us at The Other Side Reviews). We speak with the UK-based duo about their debut single, ‘Witch Doctor’, what music means to them, and much more.
OSR: A bit cliché, but how did Dead Heroes come about? What drew each of you to music?
Dead Heroes: Dead Heroes started as two friends who’d played in different bands, both wanting to make something heavier, stranger, and more uncompromising. We didn’t want to chase trends or shy away from anything due to genre constraints or rules. We wanted to write the kind of music we’d want to hear.
As for what drew us to music, same as anyone who ends up living it. That feeling when a song hits you so hard it rewires your brain. We wanted to create that for ourselves and others. We sat on so many demos for so long that just went unheeded due to other commitments. Finally, we thought “fuck it, these deserve to be heard”, and so, Dead Heroes was formed. This is no holds barred, everything is on the table, and our vehicle for getting anything and everything we want into the public ear.
OSR: You are about to release your debut single, ‘Witch Doctor’. What can you tell us about the single? Is there a backstory or particular theme?
Dead Heroes: ‘Witch Doctor’ came from exploring darker moods, hypnotic, unsettling, but still driving. It started with that opening riff that Zoot recorded, following which Harry picked up the mic and just started riffing lyrics.
Lyrically, it’s about lots of different things, and we tend not to confirm or deny anything when it comes to lyrical interpretation. It’s up to the listener, and it may mean different things to different people, or to the same person at a different time in their life. It means something to us, but we never want that to dictate what it might mean to someone else. Once the song is out there, it doesn’t belong to us anymore, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Sonically, it’s got that desert-rock swagger but with something more sinister lurking underneath, before emerging into pure arena rock energy. It’s as unique as the rest of our songs, so we defy anyone to have any expectations after just this one. One thing you can count on is riffs. Take that to the bank.
OSR: What do you hope people take from ‘Witch Doctor’? Also, what does the single mean to you?
Dead Heroes: We want it to stick in your head and make you feel slightly haunted after the fact. For us, ‘Witch Doctor’ is the moment where Dead Heroes stopped being an idea and became real. It’s a line in the sand: this is who we are, and this is where we’re starting from.
OSR: What is more challenging: writing lyrics or the melody?
Dead Heroes: They’re totally different beasts, truth be told. Lyrics can take forever because you’re trying to distil an idea without killing it, and of course, you don’t want to be cheesy or too heavy-handed. Melody tends to come quicker during jam sessions, but making sure it lends itself to the track and creates the energy the song demands is a tricky thing to do sometimes. If we had to pick, lyrics are the bigger fight, but Dead Heroes lyrics are as erratic as they are meaningful. There are no rules that say our verse has to be about the same thing as the chorus. Hell, there’s no rule that says you even have to have a chorus.
OSR: As individuals, you aren’t exactly newbies in the music scene, having been part of different bands. What advice do you have for a new musician entering the music scene and starting to create music?
Dead Heroes: Don’t wait for permission. Don’t chase what’s popular. Genre means nothing other than where the track might end up in the library.
Write because you have to, not because you think it’ll make you famous, and finish your songs, even the bad ones. Every finished track teaches you something, keeps you sharp and makes way for the really inspired moments. For every one song we end up liking enough to really work on, there are probably 5-10 pieces of absolute garbage that we throw away. It’s the creative process! Not everything is gold, and it pays to be humble. See the wood for the trees, and don’t stop writing.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Dead Heroes: It’s how we decorate our time spent here, in this life. Most people, we think, have a moment (or, if they’re lucky, several moments) where a song elevates you beyond the corporeal experience. There’s something undeniable in there, call it the gods, call it good vibes, call it a fucking good riff or beat, it doesn’t matter. It’s there.
OSR: What inspires you to make music?
Dead Heroes: We inspire each other, really. Whenever we hang out, a jam session becomes absolutely inevitable. We love each other’s work and just spending time together when we can, so it’s very organic, and as a by-product, we continue to push each other to be better at writing and performing our instruments. Inspiration can come from absolutely anywhere; it’s capturing it effectively that takes some thought. We find that less can be more. Don’t overthink it.
OSR: If you could create a super-group of five musicians, who would the band consist of?
Dead Heroes: Josh Homme (QOTSA), Layne Staley (Alice In Chains), Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Maynard James Keenan (Tool), and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin). That band would be chaos in the best way possible. Call it Toolzeppelinillaz Of The Chains Age. Or maybe just Toolzillaz, or maybe not.
OSR: What can we expect from Dead Heroes in the future?
Dead Heroes: ‘Witch Doctor’ is just the first step, as much as we are stoked with how well this track really came together. We’ve got loads more music lined up over the next year, including a cover that we are absolutely sure no one in their right mind would ever expect from us, but it fucking rocks. While we’re a studio-only project right now, we’re definitely open to shows and festivals in the future. Expect heavy grooves, strange moods, and no filler. No. Holds. Barred. We have no idea what we might do next, but we guarantee we won’t be bored. We invite you all to come along for the ride, if you’re up to the challenge.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Dead Heroes: Hell yeah, we do! ‘Witch Doctor’ is out September 26th, so make sure you get on that straight away and stream that track like your life depends on it! That’s just the beginning, too. If you like your rock dark, hypnotic, and unpredictable, keep an eye on Dead Heroes. Follow our Instagram, @deadheroesuk, to keep up to date with our music and future announcements, and once the song drops on streaming platforms, follow us on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music or wherever else your musical journey may take you!
Thanks for chatting to us today, keep it rockin’!
Many thanks to Dead Heroes for speaking with us. Find out more about Dead Heroes on their Instagram.
