In the past five years, the alternative community has fallen in love with post-punk goth band Vision Video. Their music is self-described as “dance music for the end times”, providing the perfect soundtrack for reflection in a capitalist hellscape.
You can expect to hear classic macabre themes in their lyrics, as well as heavy influence from popular goth bands of the 80s. Specifically, the band pays homage to classics like The Cure and the Chameleons. Their songs touch on uncomfortable topics like trauma, politics and the horrors of war.
Image Credit: Vision Video
It’s not all dark in the world of Vision Video, however, with their 2023 release ‘I Love Cats’ being a politically charged but humorous song featuring the iconic lyric, “They’re adorable, hilarious, and not one of them is Republican”.
Dusty, the frontman of the Athens-born band, has gained widespread recognition across social media for his ‘Goth Dad’ content. This wholesome series of videos drew in fans from across the world, not only to his music but to his authentic character and compassionate personality.
We caught up with Dusty after the UK leg of his last tour to ask some questions about his experience in Scotland and the future of Vision Video.
How do you feel about your Scottish audience, having performed in the country several times now?
D: Drunk, hilarious, dark in a humorous way. Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit said it best: “Pessimism is a Scottish pastime.” I think Scotland is one of those places that really resonates deep in my soul, for a variety of reasons.
Have you had the opportunity to indulge in much of the Scottish culture?
D: I have. We stayed in Alloa when we were last on tour there this Summer. It was cool comparing the life of small, quiet Scottish towns to the ultra-capitalist wasteland of small-city USA. Things move deliberately slower, but people are generally more real in Scotland – for better or for worse.
Image Credit: Dark Light Photography
Vision Video has blown up in the past 5 years, with many tour locations since. From your perspective, do alternative communities differ from place to place?
D: There really are major differences in the scenes across the world. I think there are stark differences between scenes in small towns versus large cities in the sense that the small towns are obviously smaller and everyone seems a bit more communal, but it can lend towards cliques a bit.
The bigger cities have way more people but are a bit more anonymous, which has its own allure in a way. Even between countries, there is a substantial difference. I’ve noticed the scenes in the UK seem to be a little less concerned about pretense – almost everyone dances, has fun, lets loose. Sometimes the scenes in the US can be a little more stuffy, but it varies, and I think much of that is dependent on the club environment.
If you had to pick your favourite places to perform, where would they be and why?
D: Portland, Oregon, at the Star Theatre. Amazing scene, great numbers of people and great energy. Plus, the gloom of the Pacific Northwest.
Glasgow, Scotland, at King Tut’s. The nihilistic, or at least pessimistic, humour of the Glaswegians. The crowds are fun in a way that only whisky and grime can espouse. Probably my favourite people in the world, as a generalisation.
Nottingham, England, at The Bodega. Awesome venue with incredible sound and excellent staff. Plus, Nottingham is wonderful, and I get to have my jollies through visiting Warhammer World in all its nerdy glory.
Finally, Athens, Georgia, at the 40 Watt Club. Home, sweet home! The town that made me understand the magical allure of music. The 40 Watt is a place that transfixes you into that sonically alchemical world. I saw my first show ever there, The B-52s, when I was 14 and I’ve been obsessed ever since.
Image Credit: Dark Light Photography
Tell me about the most positive thing in your life currently, and on the flipside, is there anything you’re currently struggling with?
D: A positive thing is that we’re about to go on tour through the East Coast and the Midwest of the United States. The live shows are my favourite aspect of being a musician, because it feels more real to me than any other piece of it, and to be quite frank, the music industry is full of fake nonsense, so I’ll take it where I can. It’s a wonderful thing because we get to see the direct impact and connection with our fans, and that’s really satisfying.
On the flipside, personally, I can’t complain. But the world, as I’m sure you know, is a raging nightmare teetering on authoritarian oblivion in so many places. My heart is utterly shattered most days just by opening my phone and seeing a real-time genocide streamed from Gaza, Sudan, Congo and Myanmar. I hate living in a time where we have access to so much immediate information but very little agency to do anything about it.
Let’s talk about your beliefs. You are very outspoken politically, and it’s an aspect of your personality much respected by your audience. Has this ever backfired for you regarding your career?
D: Yeah, definitely. If you’re going to speak the truth, especially when it’s divisive or uncomfortable, you’re going to take flak. I almost got arrested last year at a protest in NYC, where a few friends did actually get scooped up by the police. I have lost show offers and had to cancel booked performances due to people being actively in opposition to things I support very vocally.
That’s the thing of it: if you’re going to stand on business, you have to be prepared to lose some things. We all have to make sacrifices, though, and the ones I’ve made in that regard pale in comparison to what people are experiencing all over the world in really nightmarish scenarios.
In a world filled with political instability and war, would you agree with the statement that your music helps people cope?
D: I think in maybe a small way, yes. I think the music I write is like a mirror for us to look at the uncomfortable ugliness that exists within us and the things that are done in our name or with our money.
I want it to be a reminder to people that we’re capable of changing that ugliness and that we must try in small ways to make the world better.
Image Credit: Vision Video Via Instagram / @visionvideoband
What is next for Vision Video, any upcoming albums or collaborations?
D: We are working on individual songs, one at a time. I’m not really trying to make a ‘record’ at the moment, just focusing on making individual moments and statements with these new singles. I’m really excited about them, and I think people are really going to enjoy what’s next. Our new music will probably be out in November.
Finally, do you have any words for the Scottish Vision Video fans?
D: Oh, ya cannae shove yer granny aff a bus! Push Push!
You can keep up with Dusty and Vision Video via their Instagram, @visionvideoband or through their website, www.visionvideoband.com
Featured Image Credit: Vicky / Dark Light Photography
The Mourning Paper 