The Power Of Music With GREGG DEAL From DEAD PIONEERS

Denver, Colorado punk collective Dead Pioneers return with their fierce third studio album, Wagon Burner. Set for release on 26 June 2026 via Hassle Records, the project builds upon the momentum of their 2023 self-titled debut and 2025’s acclaimed PO$T AMERICAN.
Fronted by Indigenous visual performance artist and activist Gregg Deal, Dead Pioneers' continue to blend the raw fury of hardcore punk with biting spoken-word commentary, channelling the contemporary Indigenous experience, historical trauma, and political resistance.
While their previous work relied heavily on targeted individual statements, Wagon Burner represents a more unified, collaborative writing effort by the full band. Musically, it is their heaviest and hardest record to date, yet it remains intensely accessible, striking a delicate balance between abrasive noise-punk melee and viciously catchy hooks.
HEAVY caught up with Deal to find out more, asking him how he is feeling about the album close to release date.
"Honestly, there's a lot of emotions," he measured. "I kind of go through peaks and valleys. I'm excited about it, and then I'm not sure. We do these releases, and sometimes they do really well. And sometimes they're not doing as well as I'd like, and so it gets in my head. I'm excited about it, but it's been a bit of a mind F."
Spoken word and narrative pieces play a major role in the feel and message of the album, with Deal agreeing that there was much thought put into getting even the smallest of details correct.
"Yeah, I think so," he nodded. "We actually recorded so much that we have enough for another half a record. We have enough for like an EP, and so we're trying to pick and choose. We want a narrative and a sound that can live in that space. We came into this record trying to be as articulate as possible, but also not pulling any punches from everything that has been happening, everything that is happening in the United States.
And so it is meant to be political, social and cultural. We're trying to find a medium in there with that, because it's a lot of heavy stuff. So the humour that has existed in other places is a little bit more subtle on this one, but it's still there. We definitely are trying to curate something that makes sense audibly and in the information that exists lyrically."
In the full interview, Gregg talks more about the musical side of Wagon Burner and how it differs to Dead Pioneers' first two albums. We run through the themes that permeate through the album and their connection to Gregg personally.
The constant battle against oppression in all forms is discussed, along with the impact bands such as Dead Pioneers have on the global landscape through their music. Gregg ran us through some of the spoken word pieces and elaborated on their meaning, diving deeper into the guest artists and why they were chosen.
Gregg also detailed the genesis of the band and how it has evolved over the years, plus more.


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