There are many mysteries in the wild world of Rock and Roll but after listening to D.A.D. since the mid 80’s I do have to wonder why they aren’t huge outside of their home country of Demark – they after all had and still have it all – great songs, insightful lyrics and a great live show. And they kept it going – year after year, album after album. It may have been a 40 year wait to play Australia for the first time, but we must have done something right because they’re here after a short 3 years. Since they were here last we’ve had a great new album ‘Speed of Darkness’ and a wonderful just released ‘live’ record. If you’re on the fence about buying tickets don’t be – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Catch them is Australia in May – you know you want to!
MARK: Good evening, Sir, how are you?
JESPER: It’s not good evening my friend (laughs) It’s high noon!
MARK: (Laughs) the last time we did an interview it was your election night I think.
JESPER: Wow. That was a bit more historic than now.
MARK: Thank you for taking the time to talk to The Rockpit again Jesper. I always look forward to our chats. The big news Downunder is that despite it taking you 40 years to see us for the first time, it’s only taken three years for you to return, we must have impressed?
JESPER: Exactly. We’re just so grateful it’s happening, we’re so lucky. We wished for it forever, and it felt that our prayers fell of deaf ears, but now we will never let you go!
MARK: (Laughs) That’s right! I was actually at both the Melbourne and the Perth shows and I have never, ever seen a reception like tat for a band that has been ‘away’ for so long. There was so much love in those rooms.
JESPER: Yes, definitely.
MARK: Everyone singing along, everyone knew the words, it was incredible to be there. For someone like me who has been following you for many years and was lucky enough to see you back in the olden days it was wonderful. A triumphant debut and that crowd in Melbourne I’m sure ‘ve never seen that room so packed.
JESPER: Yes, definitely, definitely. It was just lovely. It’s a funny thing with time, you only know how time is when you get to this age. It’s a funny, funny thing. People were so happy, we didn’t feel outdated, we didn’t feel out of time or out of place! We didn’t even feel pot-bellied or thin-haired or anything!
MARK: (Laughs)
JESPER: We just felt this is D.A.D. meeting our Australian fans!
MARK: It was wonderful thing to witness. I caught up with a mate and we were the two that hung around in the rain round the back of the venue to get you to sign those books.
JESPER: (Laughs) I remember. The thing is my friend we get to hang out a couple of days afterwards this time around so I get to have a couple of days holidays.
MARK: You’ll love that there’s so much to see in Perth and Melbourne.
JESPER: I hope so we get a couple of days in Perth and then at the end a couple of days in Melbourne.
MARK: Well, if you need anything or want some recommendations just say the word and we’ll let you know.
JESPER: I will Mark.
MARK: A lot has happened since you were last over: another wonderful album in ‘Speed of Darkness’ one of our top 5 of the year. D.A.D. is one of very few bands who has never disappointed me, every album over the years has been real quality.
JESPER: That’s very sweet of you to say.
MARK: Sow tell us the secret. How do you do it?
JESPER: The secret is of course to keep on keeping on. The secret is, actually there are many secrets – we have this Danish audience that is like a dialogue with someone close to us that is always with us. And I think that you can feel the love and you can feel the repercussions straight away of you don’t do the job proper. This time around we made at least ten songs, at least ten songs that didn’t make it anywhere. They were actually really bad songs. We knew inside that they were really bad songs because we didn’t even call our producer until we’d demoed them.
MARK: (Laughs)
JESPER: So in a way we knew we were way behind (laughs) But the thing is with an old band like us we really, really, really need to be on the same page. To put it bluntly we need to end up having our period at the same time. And it takes a long time to get us on the same page: we need to carry that dream, all four of us. It’s not like there’s one of us who needs the other guys to carry him. We need to really take each of us, 25% responsibility for everything we do, and the things turn out great if we put in the time.
MARK: Was this album a long process of gestation?
JESPER: We spent two years making these songs and in a way you could say that the first year was in vain, but in another way, it wasn’t because suddenly the songs started pouring out and we realised that we were there – this was the level of quality. So our secret is that you have to have some level of confidence, even when you are standing in shit to your neck.
MARK: (Laughs)
JESPER: So how do you keep that confidence? It comes and goes but you need to acknowledge that you need it to be thorough, and you need the confidence to believe in something that is so non-tangible that you have to create into something. That’s why it’s good to be a band, because three of the guys can lift the guy who is not in the mood, but also one guy can lift three f he has the confidence.
MARK: I think that’s it and you can feel it n the songs. I loved the lyrics to the closing track, that talks about the passing of years – it’s one f your best, I think.
JESPER: Thank you so much. That I think is the only that really address the time that has gone. Because one of the secrets to rock and Roll as Gene Simmons would say is ‘never let them know that you are old’! (Laughs)
MARK: (Laughs) And in the audience we will pretend to be young too.
JESPER: (Laughs)
MARK: I think that song, ‘Strange Terrain’ and the title track are my favourites, but it’s such a great album I’d be happy if you played any.
JESPER: We played ‘Strange Terrain’ on our last Danish arena tour, and we never thought it would do it, we thought it was like an album song for our own sake, but it turned out that it was a fucking great song live. And that was a funny little thing because we did it out of spite because that was one of the first songs that put us on our new track. It was the last of the old songs – the only song amongst the first demoed tracks that made it out alive. So, we thought OK it made it out alive.
MARK: I’m glad it did. You also alluded to the wonderful live album you just put out. It’s a great live album, how do you plan something like that? And what happens if you have an off night?
JESPER: Good question. If I can very quickly explain that I have been through a divorce, and the house was for sale and the new owners of the house were supposed to have the house on the 1st of November and I was supposed to be at The Royal Arena being a Rockstar on the 1st of November. And the day before I was cleaning out the last of the stuff with a very angry ex-wife and a very sad teenage boy. It was like “OK – this is life. OK God this is what you give me.” And so I was like pretty down. But the funny thing was it (the show) was like our home turf; it was like an anniversary thing the audience just carried us. So a good way to avoid off days is to have a very loving audience. And I felt so great because sometimes I’m this Barnum and Bailey idiot that keeps the audience entertained, but this was a show where the audience took it upon themselves to make it a great night, a really great night.
MARK: It sounds wonderful. I would love to see you in a stadium like that where you belong. So we must be the luckiest people on the planet to get to see you in the nice intimate surrounds of places like The Rosemount. It’s great that you’re kicking off the tour in the wonderful west of Australia this time. 20th May is the day to be there, but after the last response I think they may have to build a bigger venue.
JESPER: Of course!
MARK: And we finish the tour in Melbourne at the Northcote. I think I’m planning on doing both again!
JESPER: Great – let’s do something about the Melbourne one, lets find some places to hang out and have some good food. Is it a deal?
MARK: It’s a deal. Let me get back to you. I have a lot of people asking me if you will be playing anything off the new album, I’m hoping for ‘Strange Terrains’.
JESPER: Mark, I’m going into rehearsals right now and I will put forward your wishes.
MARK: (Laughs) It’s not just me, I am petitioning for the people of Australia, make sure to let the know that.
JESPER: Yes, definitely. (Laughs) OK more pressure!
MARK: It’s interesting times, we’re a few years into the next decade, the 40th Anniversary celebrations all over and into the 5th decade. Are you looking forward to hitting that magical 50 years?
JESPER: Of course! (Laughs) That’s what we’re here for as it turns out. It’s funny, time is definitely absurd and funny! And I wouldn’t rule it out now…
MARK: Well, you’ve got that close Jesper. I was talking to Angry Anderson the other day from…
JESPER: Rose Tattoo.
MARK: That’s right. And next year is their 50th.
JESPER: Fuck!
MARK: And he’s had the wonderful idea of going out the way that the band came in. Their first ever date was a New Years Eve show so they started one year and ended the next. So that will be their final show next year. I loved that idea. That will be next this New Year’s Eve.
JESPER: Wow. That’s great. That’s actually inspiring.
MARK: So I think you have to do something a bit special, not just put on a huge show and charge a fortune. You have a few years to come up with something.
JESPER: (Laughs) Definitely Mark, you’re right.
MARK: Interestingly the most asked question when I said I was talking you today was all about ‘the next album’. People just can’t get enough!
JESPER: The next album?
MARK: The next album. How’s that coming along?
JESPER: (Laughs) Very good. We’ve just poured ourselves into this one! Funnily enough I would say that with our newfound… how can I put it? There’s a newfound joy and a newfound love for each other, so maybe things will happen, maybe things will happen. But I think a new album is definitely not till 2026.
MARK: That’s just around the corner. I was just replaying your previous live albums this week and they are all unique and I love each of them, but I love this latest one. I think that’s the story for me, you’re producing some of your best material at the moment. I loved ‘Osaka after dark’ that first one, ‘Scare yourself alive’ was my favourite until now.
JESPER: That’s great, you’re right that’s a lot of good years of live albums, but we’re very proud of this one – with guests and two and a half hours of music, and you know it went straight to number one in Denmark even though it was like a 4-vinyl package. But you’re right and you’re not the only one who thinks that about our new music. Our booking company told us a couple of years ago “Guys, sit down, here’s the contract, let me tell you something. We think D.A.D.’s best ten years is ahead of them.” (Laughs)
MARK: That must have sold it! (Laughs)
JESPER: Yes, the ego was being pampered, and we signed immediately! (Laughs) But it turned out that there may have been some truth in it.
MARK: There’s a lot in that. I think back to 2019 when you put out ‘A Prayer For The Loud’ I was seriously impressed, and it’s been great ever since.
JESPER: Thank you.
MARK: And before we go – I know I ask you every time, any update on the book in English?
JESPER: No, and you know what everyone I talk to thinks it’s a great idea, but no one wants to spend the money on a translation and putting it into English, so nothing is happening. But hope is not dead.
MARK: I have a couple of Danish friends, I think I’ll get them on it!
JESPER: (Laughs)
MARK: One of them I think I mentioned to you last time we spoke, he read me the first half of the book translating it in pieces himself, then he went back to live in The States so I never got to hear how it finished, so it’s great you keep checking in!
JESPER: (Laughs) Oh shit! Cliffhanger!
MARK: You’ll have to bring me up to date when you get to Perth.
JESPER: I would so love to have it put into English – I’m still trying.
MARK: I love a great Rock and Roll autobiography and I know that you have more of substance to say than most.
JESPER: You can google translate but then you suddenly sound like a clown!
MARK: (Laughs) it is a difficult language, I only have about five words myself, all related to beer.
JESPER: (Laughs)
MARK: I think you have just the one show before we see you, a hometown show. Obviously a warmup for the Australian tour? (Laughs)
JESPER: (Laughs) That’s right! Definitely.
MARK: Is the setlist very different for a hometown show?
JESPER: I really don’t know because we’re planning it now, but I don’t think so. Maybe for Australia we throw in a couple more songs from the ‘No Fuel’ album than we do here but that’s it.
MARK: I know you have a great love of AC/DC and particularly my favourite album of theirs ‘Highway to Hell’ I’d always loved to have know how those songs on there came in to the studio and how they changed when Mutt got hold of them?
JESPER: That was my entry point to Rock and Roll and I know for you too. That’s an album that is perfect I so many ways and then going back I loved, but there’s a lot of great music going forward as well.
MARK: Absolutely. And let’s leave it with a question we’ve never got round to before. Do you listen to a lot of new music?
JESPER: I do, I actually listen to a lot of Doom and Death because I think a lot is happening there, there’s a lot of creativity going on. There’s a lot of ‘out of the box’ non pleasing stuff, which is very lovely to listen to. And then of course I am falling for some of the new Country as well. Jason Isbell’s last one I really, really loved that.
MARK: I loved the last with the 400 Unit, but the solo record ‘Foxes in the Snow’ this year was incredible.
JESPER: So a lot of stuff Mark, but it needs to break my heart.
MARK: What a wonderful way to say it. Always the sign of a good Country song – it has to be based on misfortune or heartbreak, and I guess the Death and Doom would certainly be capable of breaking a heart, maybe even setting fire to it too!
JESPER: Exactly! And the Blues too, though I always go back to Stevie Ray Vaughn.
MARK: Tere’s none better, It’s been absolutely wonderful to have a lunch time chat
JESPER: We should definitely try to hook up in Perth or Melbourne, guidance would be appreciated.
MARK: It’s a date, lets make it happen!
JESPER: Let’s do it! I’ll be so happy to see you. Take care!
MARK: Safe travels!
