Dave Eats Mud has been a quiet presence in DC’s punk-adjacent underground since 2017, shaped by long breaks, a pandemic, and a steady commitment to weirdness. Their newest single, Mouthful of Daisies, is out now, with a five-track EP planned for release in the coming weeks.
This band doesn’t do angst in the usual way. Their music—melodic punk with flashes of alternative aggression—isn’t trying to intimidate. “We’re not an angry band,” vocalist Dave says. “We just channel whatever aggression there is in our music towards the bizarre, zany, positive, and largely focused on the natural world.” That usually means lyrics about animals, composting, sentimental relationships, and surreal imagery. Mouthful of Daisies is no exception.
The track itself is a fantasy story, not necessarily built around a message. “We welcome the listener to take from it whatever they wish,” they say. That sense of randomness is reflected visually too—the single’s cover was drawn by a bandmember and his daughter. “It bears no immediate connection to the song, save its randomness, which is perfect.”
The single may be strange, but that’s the point. Dave Eats Mud isn’t here to preach or perform outrage—they’re here to play punk with animals in it.
Dave Eats Mud’s songwriting process is collaborative, but usually begins with Dave bringing in a verse and chorus. From there, the rest of the band builds the track out in the room. “Over time, as a mere process of just showing up and dedicating ourselves to the project, our songwriting practice has become more seamless and streamlined,” they explain. They’ve also started pushing their sound into new corners, distancing themselves from any “uniformity amongst all songs,” as heard on their 2022 release, Dave Eats Mud, and promised again in the upcoming EP.
As for what’s next, the band is aiming to play as many shows as possible. The EP’s release date is still to be determined, but they’re not rushing. “We never rush the process.”
Dave Eats Mud is deeply rooted in the DC area.
“75% of the members were born in the DC area to the backdrop of Ronald Reagan and crack cocaine,” they note dryly. “Reagan did crack.” They trace their lineage to the legacy of Minor Threat, Nation of Ulysses, Trouble Funk, and Bad Brains, and highlight how the scene has always had unexpected diversity. “Let’s not forget that bands like Thievery Corporation, Darkest Hour, and Dismemberment Plan also got their start in the nation’s capital during the 1990s.”
Now, they see DC as entering “a renaissance period,” with bands like American TV, Bad Moves, Hammered Hulls, No/Mas, Brain Tourniquet, and Glitterer showcasing what the area can do. They give a special nod to Teen Mortgage, who recently signed to RoadRunner Records and released Devil Ultrasonic Dream.
The city’s venues have also been central in keeping the scene going. While they acknowledge the loss of Velvet Lounge and Rock N Roll Hotel, they praise Pie Shop, The Runaway, Songbyrd, Pearl St. Warehouse, and The Pocket for continuing to support local bands. Bigger spots like 930 Club, Black Cat, The Atlantis, and The Anthem also anchor the city’s live music life.
