Baltimore’s Angel Du$t got their start in 2012 and have just put out their second release in the 12 song LP “A.D.”. The band lists a wide range of influences including the Bad Brains, Poison Idea, Black Flag and The Misfits and sort of blur the lines between hardcore, punk, pop and rock in the process creating something different in a hardcore music scene that sees more imitators than innovators. Angel Du$t’s lead singer is Justice Tripp who also fronts Trapped Under Ice (who are now on a hiatus) and since that hiatus the amount of shows and tours the band has taken on has gone way up. Having Turnstile drummer Daniel Fang manning the drum kit for Angel Du$t has already produced a few tours that packaged both bands with plans for more in the works. This July 2014 interview is with Angel Du$t frontman Justice Tripp. Make sure to check out “A.D.” which is out now! 

IE: Who has been the main cog with writing the songs for Angel Dus$? Are the songs for the most part written as a group or had there been one or two guys writing the majority of the songs?

Justice: Everyone has some say in the songs and how they come out in the end. I riff a lot, D fang brings some whole new shit to it on the drums. Pat has lots of cool vocal ideas. Nick is really good at letting us know if something sucks. Cheddar has been writing a lot more recently and I'm excited to see where that goes

IE: Who came up with the name Angel Du$t and what if any is the meaning behind it?

Justice: Music in general was a lot cooler in the 80's and 90's because everyone was out of their minds on PCP. I always thought that was an interesting factor in early punk music. Me and some friends were talking about how cool music would be if there was a resurgence in Angel Du$t in the hardcore punk scene. It probably wouldn't actually be cool it all, but it's a funny thought. 

IE: You guys have this one band promo photo that has caused a little bit of a stir because you are all standing so close to each other and being I don’t know... less than tough or something?  Is there any underlying message in the photo with the skateboards in there as well? Some comments online have been pretty nasty in regards to the photo.  What is your response to some of the comments people have written?

Justice: We're just close friends and the furthest thing from our minds when we are together is what an insecure macho internet hardcore fan could potentially think about our sexualities. There is no intentional message. We were just having fun and there were a lot of skateboards in the room. Ultimately, punk rock is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. If you're uncomfortable that means we did something right. If you're uncomfortable with men standing too close to one another, then you're probably a weenie.

IE: Being in a band opens one up to criticism on many levels.  Do negative reviews or feedback bother you?

Justice: We're not trying to write the most popular record. We're not looking to make radio hits. Obviously, positive feedback feels great, but that's not our mission. Time has shown that bands can get away with ripping off whatever band is currently popular and there are plenty of people who will accept it, give it great reviews and spin kick each other down; but that sucks. Punk is about standing out. I read an IN EFFECT review that said that "Squeeze" sounded like an attempt at getting radio airplay. Let's be realistic, its 2014, rock and roll music doesn't get airplay. Anyone who thinks a band is using actual instruments to make music for airplay hasn't turned their radio on in the last few years. Someone who is a fan of early punk would know that it is an attempt to shed some light on the origins of hardcore music. (Editor’s note: I probably couldn’t name 10 songs on pop radio that were written in the last 10 years).