All answers provided by Valentine Vandal
Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
The name came about as we were trying to pick names that were representative of the band and also wanted to give a bit of a throw back to classics like Black Sabbath and Black Flag. We had considered a few different options, but “Black Daggers” was the only one we could all agree on. We formed in 2022 after lead singer Cody “Valentine” Vandal connected with drummer, Spencer Mcleod.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
We started working on the songs that would eventually be our full length in January of 2022 and bassist Mike Szeles and rhythm guitarist Stanley Sullivan joined in the summer of 2022 rounding out the lineup. Val and Stan were in a band back in 2006 called “Lust(Lust Boys)” on Vancouver Island and reconnected for this most recent project.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
Our favourite bands are incredibly varied and I think it comes through in our sound. We pull from influences as broad as Between the Buried and Me and Mastadon to Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal. Big fans of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, The Hives.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
I(Val) have been performing in bands since I was in my late teens. I think I always wanted to be a professional musician. I played throughout my 20s in various outfits and fronted a band called Secondhand Habit for a few years. We eventually got signed to a Universal Music group imprint but ended up in album limbo with a label that didn’t like our record. I took a few years off due to being a bit burned out from the entire ordeal but kept writing and practicing in the mean time. Two of the songs on this latest record are from a decade ago.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
The Hives – Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, Mutoid Man – Mutants, Big Wreck – 7, Soundgarden – Superunknown, Avenged Sevenfold – ….life is but a dream
Do you sing in the shower?
Maybe
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
Currently we’re building our presence online and engaging with other content creators to expand our reach and support our upcoming debut album, Phantasmagoria
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
Surfin’ A Vibe – Video was released Aug 1/23, Single released on all streaming platforms Aug 8/23 I’m Here – Single will be released Sept 19/23 City Limits – Single will be released Oct 31/23 Phantasmagoria – Album releasing Oct 31/23
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
Madison Square Garden
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
Too many
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
Pretty much most pop music. Weeknd, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
Fastball – All the Pain Money Can Buy, yes (Val)
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
We love you and are very excited to share our new music with you. It’s been a labor of love for us and we really hope you’ll join us on our continuing journey because there’s plenty left in the tank and we’re ready to rock!
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
We’re @Blackdaggersmusic on Instagram, TikTok, Threads
@Blackdaggersofficial on Facebook
@Blackdaggerscad on X
