I Haven’t Been This Excited About a Debut Album in a Long Time
Dead Dads Club are a five-piece band who have previously featured on Kaleidoscopic Melodics (here), though at that time they were operating under a different name. Piloted by frontman Chilli Jesson, the band is completed by Rupert Greaves on guitar and vocals, Jamie Howard on drums, Luc Cusack on bass, and the newest addition to the lineup, James Stirrat on guitar. This January saw the release of their self-titled debut album, and while 2026 has only just begun, Dead Dads Club have already set the bar incredibly high, with a debut that feels destined to be a record of the year contender.
On Thursday 29th of January, I was lucky enough to catch the band at a live signing, where they performed a 30-minute set featuring a handful of tracks from their album. The songs were delivered in a more acoustic manner, perfectly fitting the intimate and laid-back atmosphere of the night. A personal highlight was hearing the single Volatile Child; while it feels almost impossible to pick a favourite track from the album, this one is certainly up there.
I Feel a Unique Sense of Connection to This Album and It’s Played a Special Role in My Journey of Healing
I’ve been a fan of the band for a good couple of years now, so when the name changed to Dead Dads Club, around the same time my own father passed away, it felt like an uncanny coincidence I still can’t quite get over. For me, this cements Dead Dads Club as a soul band — one whose debut album feels sent rather than released, arriving exactly when I needed it. Since then, it’s been on regular repeat.
Lyrics such as “’Cause I have nothing else left to give, don’t be scared” from the first single, Don’t Blame the Son for the Sins of the Father, are among my favourites on the album, offering both catharsis and reassurance. I find myself fist-bumping the air with one hand while placing the other on my heart, with a touch of theatrical flair when singing them aloud, just to feel the words that little bit deeper.
I also have a particular fondness for Junkyard Radiator, especially the line “and I know our love could only go one way, like hand washing a cheese grater”, which never fails to put a smile on my face and currently lives in my head rent-free. Then there’s Need You So Bad, with the words “since you left nothing seems to spark interest, trying yoga, take deep breaths, but still this feeling persists” — a lyric that carries a strikingly strong sense of relatability.
Dead Dads Club Has Genuinely Helped to Reignite a Spark
There’s a healthy sense of angst here (perfect for a workout), balanced with compassion and relatability. I would wholeheartedly recommend this album to anyone navigating their way through grief, as well as to anyone who appreciates well-crafted, emotionally charged alt rock ’n’ roll.
I’m already looking ahead to whatever comes next from the band. Here’s hoping for an interview — watch this space.
Words: Emily Leonard
