Throughout the years, the Slam Dunk Festival has been host to established and emerging acts, giving new bands a platform to grow. Although it’s had various incarnations, SDF’s “new band” stage has seen names such as Deaf Havana, Creeper, Lower Than Atlantis, Basement, Seaway, Waterparks and Boston Manor pass through before returning to the festival in a more predominant billing.
This weekend, The Key Club Stage will be split into two (left and right) to showcase even more burgeoning alternative music talent. Employed To Serve, Wallflower, Hot Milk, Press To MECO, Our Hollow, Our Home and Pagan are just some of the names set to play across the two stages. However, it is Salt Lake City duo I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (often known as iDKHOW) who have bagged the headline spot. But who are iDKHOW?
Longtime friends, Dallon Weekes and Ryan Seaman, came together in 2016 in secrecy to form the band. Yet it wouldn’t be until Weekes departed Panic! At The Disco and Seaman from Falling In Reverse that iDKHOW‘s rise would truly begin. A series of singles in 2017 would eventually lead them to join Fearless Records with a debut EP, ‘1981 Extended Play’, arriving this past October. They also made their UK debut last summer, including an appearance at Reading and Leeds before coming back in December to support Deaf Havana at Brixton Academy.
Stylized as a forgotten band from the late 70’s and early 80’s, ‘1981 Extended Play’ is a nostalgic trip, blending glam rock (see ‘Absinthe’) and synth-laden new wave (‘Do It All The Time’) with rich, catchy pop-rock hooks. Through brilliantly infusing a host of styles and sounds, iDKHOW‘s rapid rise is justified.
Ahead of closing out the Key Club Stage at Slam Dunk, Dallon Weekes gave a quick rundown of iDKHOW‘s five essential tracks.
Nobody Likes The Opening Band
This song works best when we are the opening act. Whenever we headline a show, we won’t play it unless the openers are ok with it first. Everyone wins.
Social Climb
This song is about how you can feel completely alone in the middle of a crowded room. Which can be fine, depending upon the company.
Absinthe
One time, a stagehand saw this on our set list and thought it was a shopping list for our dressing room. He was mistaken.
Choke
This song is passive aggressive. This song is on the radio. We think that’s neat!
Do It All The Time
If you’re gonna do something, just do it all the time! Might as well! Who cares?
‘1981 Extended Play’ by I Don’t Know How But They Found Me is available now on Fearless Records.
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me will be playing the Slam Dunk Festival.
Where & When: Left Key Stage – 7:40 pm
May
25th Slam Dunk Festival North – Temple Newsam Park, Leeds
26th Slam Dunk Festival South – Hatfield Park, Hatfield
Slam Dunk Festival links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
