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Episode 154: Interview With Dan McCool Of Warn The Duke
- Jul 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Brooklyn’s own Warn The Duke returns with fierce energy and fearless honesty in their new single “Angels,” set for release on August 1st. It's been more than two years since the band dropped new music, but “Angels” arrives with purpose — a gritty, melodic anthem born from a year of personal and global disarray. “It’s about clawing toward hope when things fall apart,” says frontman Dan McCool. For a band that's weathered cancer, divorce, and the endless turnover of city life, hope is more than just a lyric — it’s their ethos.
Blending the raw sincerity of punk with the textured edge of ‘90s alt-rock, Warn The Duke isn’t chasing trends — they’re crafting songs with blood, breath, and blistered strings. From warm, distorted guitars to layered vocal harmonies that cut through the static, their sound has drawn comparisons to The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, and Hot Water Music. But there's nothing derivative here. This is Brooklyn-born resilience with roots in punk’s past and eyes locked on the future.
Recorded at Studio G with producer Jeff Berner and paired with a forthcoming video shot at Wonderville Bar in Bushwick, “Angels” is both a sonic jolt and a visual statement. The band will celebrate the release with a show at Lucky 13 in Brooklyn on August 2nd — a fitting return to their home turf.
For McCool, music has always been a lifeline. From his early days in marching band and jazz ensembles to touring in the late ’90s with ska-punk staples Burger City Rebels, his story is one of reinvention and longevity. “That era was magical. Touring the country, playing with New Found Glory, Less Than Jake — it made me fall in love with the road, with the process,” McCool reflects.
Warn The Duke was born in 2014 out of a desire to blend punk grit with indie and post-punk sensibilities. Over the years, the lineup has evolved, but the heartbeat of the band remains consistent: authenticity, vulnerability, and a drive to connect. Longtime drummer Derek brings a Boston pedigree and an aggressive rhythmic style, while guitarist Chris and newest member Lola add dynamic layers and raw enthusiasm to the mix.
McCool’s songwriting channels the same grit that defines his vocals — a voice shaped not just by years on stage, but also by life’s unexpected turns. After a battle with thyroid cancer, he found new meaning in performance and preservation. A recent conversation with Social Distortion’s Mike Ness, who also endured cancer and vocal strain, served as both mentorship and affirmation. “He told me, ‘Keep writing. Keep moving forward.’ It was simple, but it stuck with me,” McCool says.
The themes of survival and momentum are deeply embedded in Warn The Duke’s catalogue. “We’ve lost jobs, bandmates, marriages — but we’ve gained perspective,” McCool shares. “We keep showing up. That’s the point.”
That perspective comes through on “Angels,” which serves as both reflection and rally cry. It’s a song for anyone clawing back from rock bottom, for those seeking meaning in a world that rarely slows down. “We’re not afraid to sing about struggle,” McCool says. “But we also believe in redemption — in choosing to keep fighting.”
With a loyal local following and a sound that balances nostalgia with nuance, Warn The Duke is poised for their next chapter. And if “Angels” is any indication, that chapter will be loud, honest, and impossible to ignore.
Pre-save “Angels” now and catch the band live at Lucky 13 in Brooklyn on August 2nd.
🎧 To hear the full conversation with Dan McCool tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, streaming now.
