Features

Method: Des Moines Band Mines Influence from ‘00s Hardcore on Their Debut Album

Photo: Angelo Rossi

Method formed in 2017 in Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa, with a clear mission in mind. "We originally just wanted to rip off early Lockin' Out bands and all these years later we are still trying to do that," guitarist Duncan Robak admits, and then laughs: "'The keyword is trying.'"

Rounded out by vocalist Drew Paul, bassist Jake Henry, drummer Dallas Salmons, and guitarist Drew Hemesath, the members of Method all share Duncan's penchant for a specific era of hardcore and explore that in what they're doing.

"We take a lot of influence from the Rival Mob, Righteous Jams, and Rotting Out. The band collectively listens to a lot of different styles of hardcore, but the shared interest for Method is largely derived from 2000s hardcore."

With two previous EPs already under their collective belt, Method is gearing up for the release of their debut album, Nothing You Can Do. The band are teasing its release with a track called "See Through You."

"It was recorded by Alex Arthur at Carousel Studios in Des Moines, and mixed and mastered By Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios," Duncan explains. "The band itself is completely unserious and tries to have as much fun as possible, but the lyrical content is intentional and focuses on issues of the current day.

"Nothing You Can Do is about being Peter Gibbons in Office Space, except he was never hypnotized. It is about apathy towards a system that feels fundamentally incapable of change through our own actions."

A mini scene report is always important in these No Echo stories, and Duncan offers some insight into Method's local hardcore community. "The Des Moines scene is growing every year and I'm excited about the future of Des Moines Hardcore. There are tons of new people coming out to shows and a variety of hardcore sounds coming from the city.

"There are so many great midwest bands at the moment. Be sure to check out Jack & the Slammers, Dose, Thought Wrong, Bootcamp, Animals on LSD, Setback, Lead Spirit, Position of Power, Closer to God, and Skinned Alive.

***

Tagged: method