The 1984 Draft debuted the barn-burning first single from Makes Good Choices, the band’s latest LP, which will be released via Poptek Records this Summer.

“Lutheran Heat” is a coming of age tale set to sounds torn straight from a distinctively Midwestern ‘90s punk playbook. Vocalist, guitarist Joe Anderl describes the cut as a peek behind the curtain on his “wonder years”; the musical version of an embarrassing family photo taken at the local J.C. Penney’s portrait studio.
“This was the last song written for the record,” Anderl recalls. “I felt like we were missing one banger to round out the other songs that we had selected to record.   We practiced this song for the first time one week before we went into the studio and laid it down.
“I grew up in the Lutheran Church,” he adds. “I’ve always said that Lutheran’s were like the diet coke of Catholics;  Catholics without the guilt.  I wanted to play on that and tie it into my childhood.  This song basically covers 38 years of my life; growing up, childhood memories of moving, memories of embarrassing my parents, which ultimately led to growing closer with my entire family.  This is really a tribute to [those relationships].”
For those who haven’t yet been “drafted,” the band channels American rock sensibilities through a ‘90s tinted punk and indie lens. Makes Good Choices was recorded and mixed by Pat Himes, whose credits include Ryan Adam’s legendary Heartbreaker album, during Summer 2017. It was mastered by Jake Bryant, formerly of Rise Records’ Dangerkids. The band is recommended for fans of The Replacements, Buffalo Tom, The Smoking Popes, and Sugar.
The band has been building its reputation as ones to watch for over the last several years playing shows both regionally in the Midwest and on the East Coast. They’ve supported everyone from indie rock heavies like Beach Slang, Local H, Meridian and Maps and Atlases, to emo and punk staples like Off With Their Heads, Radar State, and Hawthorne Heights. Draft vocalist Anderl has also toured with The Gunshy (Sleep Recordings, Chicago), Adam Torres’ Nostra Nova (Fat Possum, Austin), Tender Mercy (Louisville), as bassist for The Kyle Sowashes (Anyway Records), and vocalist for Waking Kills The Dream (Goodlife Recordings).
The 1984 Draft released their last EP, Heisman Trophy Winner EP via Gas Daddy Go! (the boutique label of former Guided By Voices drummer Don Thrasher) on November 6, 2015. They were also one of 24 Ohio bands featured on the 10th anniversary Aquabear Legion double vinyl compilation that year. In 2014, The 1984 Draft released their EP, Bo Jackson Up The Middle, via We Want Action (84 Nash, She Bears, Tiara). The EP saw the light of day in advance of the release of an NFL Network documentary on the actual 1984 NFL Draft, in which the band is featured.
Catch the band on tour in U.S. cities throughout the rest of 2018. Listen for them them on NPR affiliates in Ohio and Maine or on WUDR in Dayton.
Vinyl Pre-order:
http://www.poptek.com/shop/the-1984-draft-makes-good-choices-vinyl-pre-order
Dates:
July 22 – Jimmies Ladder 11 – Dayton, OH
July 29 – Blind Bob’s – Dayton, OH
August 8 – WYSO – Yellow Springs, OH
August 25 – South Park Tavern – Dayton, OH
September 1 – Tippapalooza – Tipp City, OH
October 20 – Blind Bob’s – Dayton, OH
November 2 – Yellow Cab Tavern – Dayton, OH