Since their last appearance on No Echo in 2024, Dry Socket haven’t just stayed active—they’ve expanded in every direction, from new releases to international touring to landing on a label that aligns with their politics and vision.
“A lot has happened and changed for us since then,” bassist Geoff tells No Echo. “Getting to put out our split with Violencia on To Live A Lie and now working with Get Better Records on our newly released LP, Self Defense Techniques, has been by far the biggest highlight.” The album represents something deeper than just another release. “It’s the culmination of work for years before,” he adds. “Those songs and that vision getting out into the world is always the best part of being in a band.”
It’s been great to see the Portland hardcore outfit’s progression since No Echo first covered them back in 2020. That includes touring Mexico, spending extended time in the UK and Europe, and sharing stages with bands like The Hope Conspiracy, Violencia, Planet on a Chain, and even Gorilla Biscuits. “Playing a show with Gorilla Biscuits was really cool,” Geoff says, adding that weekend runs with bands like Hope Conspiracy and Violencia stand out as some of the most memorable moments.
“This band has done almost all of my bucket list items,” vocalist Dani says. “It exceeded everything I thought possible for a DIY band, and now I’m having to reimagine what band goals I even have.”
Dani explains that she approached the Self Defense Techniques material with a clear framework in mind before the music even took shape. “Before we even had songs, I had the title and the overall feeling set,” she explains. “Lyrically, it’s meant to showcase that being political is personal.” That idea runs through the entire album.
“We all make constant compromises to exist, survive, and navigate the world we live in,” Dani says. “We break ourselves for the benefit of a very small group of people with money and power who set the boundaries of how we can live.” The emotional weight of that reality is central to the record. “It’s exhausting and anger-inducing and dangerous—that’s how I wanted the album to feel.”
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On the production side, the band once again worked with Portland’s Joe Anderson, who has been involved in their last several releases and even stepped in as a fill-in bassist at times. For mixing, they brought in Andy Nelson of Bricktop Recording. “I was always really impressed by the Weekend Nachos production and a lot of other records he’s done,” Geoff says. “We were excited he was open to working with us.”
That same sense of alignment carried over into their partnership with Get Better Records. “After the Body Farm split, they reached out along with a few other labels,” Geoff explains. “But we just clicked with Alex and aligned with their ethos and vision the most.” For a band that has worked with a range of respected DIY labels, the decision wasn’t taken lightly. “We’ve been fortunate to work with labels like To Live A Lie, King of the Monsters, Blind Rage, and Dropping Bombs,” he says. “Choosing Get Better felt like a continuation of that.”
For Dani, the connection runs deeper than logistics. “Get Better was a label I’ve followed and coveted for a long time, but it never felt like a possibility,” she says. “It means a ton to be on a label run by people I relate to and identify with.”
Of course, the reality behind all of this is far from glamorous. Touring and releasing at this pace comes with real-life tradeoffs. “For Dani and me, Dry Socket is pretty much our lives at home as well,” Geoff says. “It’s like a second job—but without a paycheck.” Band members juggle work, save PTO, and stretch their time and resources just to make tours happen. “Before and after a tour, everyone is working like crazy,” he adds. “You’re either saving for the time off or recovering from it.”
That constant push has also shaped how the band operates internally. “It’s a lot for people to be in Dry Socket,” Geoff admits. “Every year we seem to do more than the year before, and sometimes that fits in people’s lives, and sometimes it doesn’t.” The result has been a rotating, flexible lineup at times, reflecting the realities of DIY hardcore.
Instead of slowing down, the band has embraced that fluidity. “After a few early member changes, Dani and I made a conscious decision to keep Dry Socket going and just do as much as we can for as long as we can,” Geoff says. It’s meant to bring friends into the fold, sharing opportunities, and widening the circle. “We’re getting to share this experience with so many of our DIY-for-life friends who maybe haven’t had the chance to tour Europe or play with bands like Gorilla Biscuits,” he adds.
That mindset is driving everything forward. “It’s been amazing to travel, play these shows, and meet the people we have,” Geoff says. “So we’re just going to keep saying yes to more until the wheels fall off.”
Back in their hometown, the music community that shaped Dry Socket is also evolving. “Portland is the best,” Geoff says. “Hardcore here is bigger than any other time I’ve seen it before.” With more venues, more promoters, and a new generation of bands stepping up, the city has become a thriving hub. “There’s really no excuse for bands to skip it anymore,” he adds. “It’s special to be a part of it right now.”
Looking ahead, Dry Socket aren’t letting up. The band will join Show Me the Body for a mini-tour from May 16–20 before heading out on a U.S. West Coast run with Tolls from May 21–31. They’re also slated to appear at King of the Monsters Fest alongside Dropdead, Reversal of Man, Portraits of Past, and Violencia, followed by a return to the UK in September for dates with SPY and Spaced, as well as a slot at Burn It Down Festival with Speed, Drug Church, Pest Control, and more.
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Self Defense Techniques is available on vinyl via Get Better Records. You can also pick up the Dry Socket / Violencia split 7” from To Live A Lie.
Dry Socket on social media: Instagram
Tour dates:
Supporting Show Me the Body (May 16–20)
05/16 – Boise, ID – The Shredder
05/17 – Reno, NV – Holland Project
05/19 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz
05/20 – Sacramento, CA – Harlows
Headlining Tour with Tolls (May 22–31)
05/22 – Oxnard, CA – Mystery Shop
05/23 – Mesa, AZ – Rosetta Room
05/24 – Tucson, AZ – Groundworks
05/25 – El Paso, TX – Cannibal Den
05/26 – San Antonio, TX – O’Death
05/27 – Austin, TX – Brushy Street Commons
05/28 – Houston, TX – The End
05/29 – Denton, TX – Rubber Gloves
05/30 – Denver, CO – 7th Circle Music Collective
05/31 – Salt Lake City, UT – Fellowship Hall
California Weekender (more TBA)
06/28 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy
w/ Violencia, Gylt, Broken Focus
Ireland & UK Tour with SPY & Spaced (Aug–Sept)
08/29 – Cork, IE – Dali w/ Spaced
08/30 – Dublin, IE – Lost Lane w/ Spaced
08/31 – Belfast, IE – Voodoo w/ Spaced
09/02 – Birmingham, UK – Centrala (Dry Socket only)
09/03 – Swansea, UK – The Bunkhouse w/ Spaced, Defiance
09/04 – Torquay, UK – Burn It Down Fest + Speed, Drug Church, Pest Control
09/05 – Liverpool, UK – No Play Fest + Pest Control, Last Wishes
09/06 – Glasgow, UK – Mono w/ SPY, Spaced
09/08 – Newcastle, UK – The Grove w/ SPY, Spaced
09/09 – Leeds, UK – Boom w/ SPY, Spaced
09/10 – London, UK – Underworld w/ SPY, Spaced
09/11 – Bristol, UK – The Exchange w/ SPY
09/12 – Brighton, UK – The Hope & Ruin w/ SPY
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