Die Spitz’s heavy rock is on the right side of history

Pooneh Ghana

The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.

On Something To Consume, the riotous debut album by Die Spitz, the Texas four-piece offer a rallying cry to anybody who's had enough. Whether that's on an interpersonal relationship or institutional scale, school friends Chloe De St. Aubin, Kate Halter, Ellie Livingston, and Ava Schrobilgen act as a wrecking ball against oppression and the tyranny of dark forces that suppress others.

For the band's new song "Punishers," vocalist De St. Aubin wrote the brawny and jagged track to capture "the feelings of insanity and frustration" of being trapped in a toxic relationship. Elsewhere on the album, such as on the heart-pumping "Voir Dire," they zoom out on those feelings of imprisonment as they chastise the U.S. for being a place where “you can get what you want, but you don’t get what you need.”

The band cites Nirvana as a major influence and are signed to Jack White's Third Man Records. It makes sense that they marry these urgent and fiercely independent songs to a speaker-shaking array of riffs and grizzled basslines; Something To Consume was recorded with producer Will Yip, whose previous work with Turnstile and Mannequin Pussy feels like a blueprint for the Die Spitz sound.

Following the September 12 release of their debut, Die Spitz is taking their high-energy live show on the road this fall. Their upcoming schedule includes headline shows and support dates with Swedish punks Viagra Boys.

Ahead of Something To Consume and their upcoming tour, get to know Die Spitz as they discuss their favorite horror movies, the advice they swear by, the A$AP Rocky meme they love, and more.

Describe the first show you ever went to as fans.

Eleanor: There was definitely a show before this, but my most memorable was Black Sabbath at 10. I went with my best friend at the time and we asked her mom if we could say the f-word because it’s a rock show. We were way up in the nose bleeds so they all looked like tiny ants. Ozzy looked like a tiny ant dumping his head into a little tiny water bucket. Changed my life forever.

Ava: The Wiggles live. I threw my bra on stage and the Purple one put a restraining order on me. Best early afternoon of my life.

Kate: My first concert was Bon Jovi. I was pretty young but a huge fan. I would watch their music videos all the time so I got tickets for Christmas. He came out and I said “who’s this old man?” We left early.

Chloe: I’m not exactly sure what my “first show” was, considering I grew up in Austin. I guess the first arena show I attended was a Bruno Mars concert when I was about 8. My parents surprised me with the tickets on my birthday, and my heart sunk! I loved Bruno Mars but I was horrified of crowds, so it was a tough birthday haha. He did play the drums upside down though which definitely distracted me from my nervousness.

What was the last movie you watched, and give a short review.

Eleanor: The last movie I watched was Idiocracy. 9/10. Mike Judge is a fuckin genius. I love him.

Ava: Green Room. Great acting, amazing concept, but I was hoping for a big revealing twist that never came. The girls hyped it up so evidently it was a little disappointing. It was like the Pitch Perfect viewing of 2018 all over again.

Kate: Last night I watched Ma for the 4th time. Absolute cinematic masterpiece. We also had a viewing of Ma while we recorded our album and it gave us a lot of inspiration.

Chloe: The last movie I watched was Bring Her Back. All I can say is I will never watch that movie again, and every second of the film was excruciating. Not sure it would’ve been as scary without the ginormous theater screen/loud speakers—but it was disturbing and nauseating.

What’s a motto that you think everyone should live by?

Eleanor: Go through life grabbing it by the balls.

Ava: Fake it till you make it.

Kate: Wipe front to back.

Chloe: I used to tell myself “expect the worst to get the best.” It was a motto I made up as a kid which essentially means that you should keep your expectations low so that you’re never disappointed.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Eleanor: It’s not advice necessarily, but a philosophical theorem I learned in my intro to philosophy class a couple years ago. The Descartes theorem: “I think therefore I am.” There is no real way to prove anything around you is real, except for you, because you conjure thoughts. It’s your world babyyyyy, use it to its biggest potential.

Kate: Wipe front to back.

What’s your favorite song to play live right now and why?

Eleanor: "American Porn." I feel that song pretty intense when we play, especially if there are creeps at the show.

Kate: "Big Boots." This song didn't make it on the album because we had too many good songs but it always gets the crowd moving. Also I get to slap the bass.

Describe the best show you’ve played this year so far.

Eleanor: Bonnaroo. I actually didn't play that well. I was super ill and it was 100 degrees, but the crowd genuinely gave me chills when we hit the first note. I’m pretty sure the best show I’ve played this year was the last festival show on our Europe tour. Of course it was the only show where there were about 40 people.

Ava: Bonnaroo was crazy, but Paris was my personal favorite. Those Parisians don't stop moving.

Kate: Bonnaroo was sick as shit. We didn’t think people would show up for us because we were the first band of the first day, but it was a full tent and it felt like everyone in the crowd was fully engaged. Also, although it was unfortunate, being one of the only bands to play Bonnaroo before it was canceled was sick.

Chloe: The crowd was a sea of kids just like us, and they were full of energy. I almost shed a tear.

What’s the best thing you’ve bought yourself recently and why?

Eleanor: I haven’t actually bought it yet, but I’m hoping after our October run I can get myself an old tiny sexy car. Maybe a Spitfire or an Alfa Romeo, idk. Has to be red, convertible, and absolutely miniature. Scouring Facebook Marketplace for this purchase I must make to achieve my tiny car dreams.

Ava: Not for me, but we recently bought our tour manager, Kyra, a Dark Souls knight helm replica for her birthday so she can wear it side stage and scare away the creeps with ease. She really pulls it off.

Kate: My $27 dog. Love her.

Chloe: A pull-up bar. I’m working on constructing an at-home gym. With constant touring, it feels like such a waste to buy a gym membership if I can never use it. So now I’m entering my Dad garage gym era.