I had the privilege of seeing Strange Neighbors play at the Indie Pop Overthrow festival back in November when DelCobras shared a stage with them. As one might guess based on the setting, they’re a fun power-pop band with a great stage presence. And they’re also really cool people — the first to get the crowd up and dancing once the fellas and I started playing. As their Bandcamp bio explains, they like making groovy tunes that bridge the gap between the Beatles and My Chemical Romance….

Your Bandcamp bio describes your music as bridging the gap between the Beatles and My Chemical Romance. Chronologically, that’s a big gap, but I’m wondering whether there’s less of a stylistic gap between the two bands. How do you see them in relation to each other? 

Aidan: My Chemical Romance has been my favorite band for probably 20 years, and their music influenced me a lot through Osmosis. Zach is the big vintage music fan and I love when he’ll show me a new (old) song and I’m like “that’s the same chord progression as this song from Three Cheers!”. More than anything, MCR inspired a sense of theatrics on stage – not being embarrassed to hold back the impulsive dancing, movements, and psychotic facial expressions. 

Beau: I think that both MCR and The Beatles are masters of worldbuilding and they both really effectively created projects that allow listeners to  immerse themselves not only in the lyrics and arrangements but also in the more discreet, ephemeral, nameless aspects of the music, that part that makes you cry or sit in awe while listening. You really get a sense of both acts alchemizing their experiences into something beyond themselves, which I think is ultimately the goal when you’re making art. 

Zach: Beats me, I’ve never listened to MCR in my life except for Black Parade. But they both liked marching band uniforms.

What do you think explains the staying power of the Beatles? 

Aidan: I like the Beatles. I’m not a HUGE fan. I’m NOT a hater. I’m impressed as hell by their discography, and I aspire to put out even half of that in our musical careers. I like messing with Zach, cause he’s THE big fan, sometimes he’ll start playing a song, any song, and I’ll go “cool is that the Beatles?”. His facial reaction is always priceless.

Beau: I’m not the most qualified one to answer this lol, I think the mythology surrounding them is what keeps leading younger generations back to the music, and then they find that the music is actually good so they stick around. 

Dana: Everybody loves Ringo.

Zach: I think the Beatles are the ultimate case of “the whole being better than the sum of its parts.” Every song of theirs is just really hooky and catchy and memorable. But that’s what happens when you have three of the best songwriters ever in your band. 

You’ve been together since 2018. How has your sound evolved since then?

Dana:  Every line up change brings a new sound in – I joined in 2019 and I was told I brought a new bass sound to the group. Bringing Beau in around 2023 also brought new grooves to the band, and they have some smart arranging notes. Overall, I think we’ve gotten better with developing hooks and have a more intentional sound over the years.  And, with two country fans in the group, we’ve gotten the tiniest bit more twangy but with some pop sensibility.

Zach: I think when we started out, we were a lot more in the pop-punk sphere. And then we grew up. 

On Bandcamp, it looks like Strange Neighbors is a quartet, but when I saw you play at the International Pop Overthrow festival, you were a five-piece—if I remember correctly! Is that a permanent expansion? 

Beau: I think it’s great to switch up the live arrangement and to add more elements to the sound! Especially Rachel, who is an old friend and collaborator of mine, who has such an amazing voice and ear for harmony. While I don’t think it will be permanent, I think you can expect to see more guest appearances live. (Hit us up if you’re in NYC and you play Sax/Trumpet!) 

Dana: It’s a special occasional expansion!  We love having Rachel sing with us, she’s fabulous with harmonies and keys.  Right now I think we love having her guest spot with us when she can. 

I see you recorded your most recent album People Pleasers Pleasing People at The Bunker studio in New York. I’ve actually spoken to a few artists who’ve recorded there, and they love it. How did you end up recording there, and what was the experience like? 

Aidan: Years ago, we linked up with Mike from the Bunker through Instagram. We were really impressed with his work and then after our first session we knew it was a good match. Mike is an honorary neighbor – he really gets us. We have a really good time whenever we go and record. It’s like a big event, a slumber party. 

Dana:  Aidan and Zach had already been recording with Mike at the Bunker when I joined.  It’s the only recording experience, besides some DIY setups, that I know. I love his process, he’s efficient but also gives us just enough time to try out wacky stuff. And he’s got a good idea of which amps and effects to use which I love as a non-gear head.  He makes recording really fun and easy.

Mike Dwyer produced, engineered, and mixed the album. What did he bring to the process? 

Aidan: He’s so great to work with on vocals. He’s extremely methodical but it doesn’t feel rigid doing vocal take after vocal take. Trying new things, and putting up with my nonsense and reverbed  burps.

Beau: He is a master of session management. Especially since he’s worked with Strange Neighbors for so long he knows when to keep pushing for the best take, and when to move on. I never feel stuck in a holding pattern recording with him and I feel confident that when he says he got the take that he really did. 

Dana:  In addition to all the technical stuff, Mike is also an excellent host!  He keeps us fully caffeinated.

The video for your single “Without a Head” is pretty inventive—and mildly disturbing in a fun way! It’s the little touches that make it stand out — the Rickenbacker guitar leaning in just for guitar solos, Aidan’s tongue reaching in vain for the celery stalk a la the myth of Tantalus, the kitchen knife slicing into Aidan’s scalp like a Thanksgiving turkey. Can you talk a little bit about that video? Where did the idea come from? Was any of it ad-libbed, or was everything scripted out in advance? 

Aidan: The video was really fun to make on a random weekday after we both finished work. We were pretty tired and kind of loopy when we got started, and as it came together it got funnier and funnier to us which came across in the final video. It was totally unscripted and on the spot – I think we did only two takes. 

I love the cover image for People Pleasers Pleasing People. Who came up with it?

Dana:  Zach had a vision and he executed it beautifully.

You’re based in New York. What’s the scene like there, and how often do you play out?

Aidan: I love playing in New York, and it has its cycles. The scene is still finding its footing post covid shutdowns. One part we’ve been excited about is the expanding DIY show scene, which often intersects with some kind of fundraiser or benefit. People are working really hard to be able to put on fun shows and bring people together and that’s extra beautiful in these tough times. 

Dana:  The New York scene is tough – you’re in a city with a million other things happening each night, it’s hard to stand out or keep folks there the whole night.  It’s also expensive – there’s not a lot of free or $5 shows that center a scene like in other cities – those $15 tickets add up.  But New Yorkers are nothing if not adaptable!  There’s been a lot of alternative and DIY venues cropping up and more bookers are adopting “no one turned away for lack of funds” pay scales.  We have a band fund for anyone who wants to see us but can’t afford the ticket (just DM us!).  I love playing outside of the city, I think the 

What’s on the horizon for you? 

Aidan: New music and expanding our tour radius!

Beau: Working on new music, and also trying to put on shows that feel like more of an experience and more like a community gathering 

Dana:  We’re entering our winter hibernation and song writing season, so hopefully new tunes and studio time is in our future. We’re also toying with the idea of a midwest tour if we are accepted to some festivals.