The Descendents Begin ‘Embryonic Stage’ for New Music

Although Descendents haven't actually completed a new album, any kind of update on fresh material is a positive one, as the group's last release was the 2004 effort 'Cool to be You.' In an interview with Under The Gun, drummer Bill Stevenson announced the band's latest batch of songs are in the "embryonic" stage, and they crafted rough versions of the tunes at the Blasting Room, which is Stevenson's own recording studio.

When asked about the almost 10-year layoff between albums, Stevenson added that the group usually takes a bit of time between records. "There was a little period where we were putting them out successively, quickly, but we've never been a band that's on an agenda," said Stevenson. "Some bands have an agenda that they have to have a record every two years. When we've got a bunch of good songs, and we've got the desire to record them, then we do so and put a record out. I think to do it any other way than that is really kind of phony."

Eleven songs have already been worked on, with Stevenson adding that the drum section has been finished. "Stephen (Egerton) will be putting guitars on 'em," he added. "Karl (Alvarez) will be putting bass on 'em, Milo (Aukerman) will be singing on 'em. We'll get rolling but it's not gonna be like, 'Oh it'll be done in a month!' It's gonna take us several months."

Along with working on a new album, the band will also be part of the Fun Fun Fun Fest lineup, which takes place Nov 8-10 at Austin's Auditorium Shores. Other acts on the bill include Slayer, Quicksand, Body Count, August Burns Red, the Cro-Mags, the Subhumans, and Gojira.