Is there a more appropriate band name in 2025 than American Death Cult? I’m asking for a friend. In all seriousness, this Greensboro-based trio has grown with a DIY ethos at their core, creating cathartic punk rock that’s both accessible and delightfully noisy.
Born from a Craigslist connection in 2021 and shaped by [gestures broadly at everything], American Death Cult has evolved from experimental surf rock into something grittier and more focused. Their upcoming album, Cult Visions, set for release on September 24th, promises to showcase a band that has found its voice. Or at least one that’s genuinely human and unapologetically punk.
I caught up with the band to discuss how their wide-ranging musical influences converge, the realities of finding bandmates in the digital age, and why writing songs about goblins might be the realest thing you can do. Our chat was yet another reminder that the best music comes not from trying to impress, but from the simple belief that if someone else can do it, so can you.
What have you been listening to lately?
Ethan (guitar/vocals): A lot of the same stuff I usually listen to. But lately, I’ve been listening to this local Greensboro band from the ‘90s called Ubangi Stomp. Them and Joyce Manor.
Emily (drums): I’ve also been listening to my usuals, which are Florence and the Machine, Nicole Dollanganger, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and Smashing Pumpkins. I got stuck in the Detroit airport at 3 a.m. and “Head Over Heels” by The Go-Go’s was playing. So I’ve been listening to a lot of 80s pop recently too.
Carter (bass/backing vocals): Lately I’ve been a little more Black Sabbath than usual. Ozzy’s probably who got me into music when I was about six or seven. Beyond that, I’m all over the place. I have a little bias towards ‘70s and ‘80s classic rock, but I listen to everything. Except modern country.
What is the first musician who made you want to play an instrument and start a band?
Emily: My dad was a musician. His mom was a musician. His dad was a musician. They were all in the Auman family band.
As for me, when I was 11, my dad said, “Hey, you’ve got a great sense of rhythm. You should play drums.” So I picked it up off and on because I didn’t like how loud it was, it made me nervous to practice. But then, during the pandemic, I had a lot of time to get back into it.
Some of the great drummers who have inspired me to stick with it and join bands are Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood, Nick Mason, Chad Smith, Stewart Copeland, Jimmy Chamberlin, and Matt Cameron.
Carter: All my uncles and great uncles are in bands. My dad’s a big vinyl collector and music guy. My mom is actually good friends with Prince’s keyboardist. So I grew up around a lot of music and music-adjacent people.
Beyond that, I was around seven or eight years old when Guitar Hero 4 came out. That exposed me to music that my dad played and some different rock music I liked. And holding that plastic guitar in my hands kicked ass. So I started getting into bands I found through that.
I ended up finding my niche with the bass when I was 11 or 12. I played it off and on for several years, until I played in a band and started taking it seriously. I guess my aha moment was when I just saw kids I knew growing up playing in bands. I would see music videos of people who are like gods to me, like Ozzy or Billy Idol, and thought they were the coolest. But seeing other people around do the same thing made it viable.
Ethan: I grew up with like some guitars around the house, but I never really cared for them. Growing up, I wanted to be like a film director, before I ever thought of doing music. And then, in high school, I was listening to some American Football, Riley!, and Cap’n Jazz. I realized I liked the noodley stuff, so I tried learning how to play that and failed. Then I learned how to play some Weezer stuff.
What’s the origin story for the band?
Ethan: I started it in 2021. It was just me and some drummers doing duo surf stuff. But I needed a bass player to round things out, so I went on Craigslist and met Carter. After that, we figured out what we wanted our sound to be, cutting down some of the surf songs to focus more on punk. And then we found Emily to play drums this year.
Carter: I had put up some Craiglist ads in the past to find a band, but you get one real person and five others trying to sleep with you.
Ethan: There are too many ads asking for a female singer, but then you read it and are like, “I don’t think this is a band.”
Emily: If you’re posting on Craigslist and are not a man, you don’t say your gender. You say your age range, what you play, and roughly what your skill level is. [laughs]
How has the band evolved over time?
Ethan: We’ve developed our own style. The band has always been DIY at heart. I want people to listen to us and be like, “I can do this too because this asshole can do it.” It’s very human and genuine to who we are. Some songs have more meaning than others.
Carter: The songs we write about goblins are extremely human.
Ethan: Exactly. And our sound has matured. On the first two releases, we experimented a lot. Some songs are grunge, others are garage rock or rockabilly. But on this new album [Cult Visions], we stuck to a punky, grunge sound. I wanted to write a consistent record.
What are some of your goals for the rest of 2025 and beyond?
Emily: We’ve got a music video coming. Obviously, there’s the new record on September 24th. Then we’re hoping to get a little Christmas single out somewhere along the way.
Ethan: We also have some shows: one is for Virginia Tech’s unofficial back-to-school metal/punk rager. And another is the week after in Greensboro.
Who are your favorite local/North Carolina bands?
Emily: Idol Talk is fantastic, I love them. The same goes for Lady Vader and Mercury Dimes.
Ethan: I really enjoy Cloutchaser. They’re really innovative and might be the hottest band in the state right now.
Carter: I have a good friend in Pinkfield, they’re great.
Emily: Shout out to Lucy Mayhem and Ever Ending.
Ethan: Also, Megabitch is the best band name of all time. Despite the name, the lead singer is very sweet and kind.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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