Episode 168: Interview with Lead Singer of The Boy Detective, Benny Capaul

If there's a crime in ska-punk today, it's underestimating the energy and chaos that Benny Capaul brings to the stage. As the lead singer of The Boy Detective, Benny is no stranger to big feelings, big sounds, and even bigger performances. With the release of their new single Beth Truss—a brass-blasted anthem full of gang vocals and reckless joy—the Detroit-based band is once again taking their place in the punk spotlight. Their upcoming album Disco Lunch, produced by Roger Lima of Less Than Jake, drops November 7 via Punkerton Records.

The journey that led Benny to this moment wasn’t a straight line. Raised in a small Idaho town and the son of a long line of funeral directors, Benny’s early life was equal parts grief, tradition, and rebellion. “I've been surrounded by death and grief my entire life,” he says. “Music became the escape.” Influenced by everything from The Misfits and The Suicide Machines to theater and underground punk shows, Benny found solace and expression in chaos. His first band? A local horror punk outfit called Spaghetti Zombies, where he honed his voice in the Danzig tradition.

Now fronting the horn-fueled ska-punk juggernaut The Boy Detective, Benny brings that same theatrical edge to every performance. “I'm maybe 20 percent on stage,” he laughs. “The rest of the time I'm in the crowd, singing behind couples who don’t realize I’m the lead singer. It’s about making every fan feel like they’re part of the show.”

That ethos bleeds into Beth Truss, the first single from Disco Lunch, a record that spans two decades of riffs, energy, and punk mischief. “This ancient song was taken off the shelf, dusted off, and reformatted to sonically invoke singalongs and brain-eating choruses,” says Benny. “In Beth we Truss!”

Disco Lunch isn’t just an album—it’s a culmination. Benny and his bandmates dug deep into their archives to build a record that’s both nostalgic and aggressively modern. “We opened the vault,” Benny says. “Ten songs that span almost twenty years. Let’s boogie!”

And boogie they will. Produced by Roger Lima and mixed by Eric Taft, Disco Lunch promises relentless breakdowns, anthemic hooks, and the kind of sweaty, shout-along chaos that makes ska-core unforgettable. With limited-edition vinyl already available for pre-order, fans won’t want to miss their chance to secure a piece of punk history.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of The Boy Detective or a newcomer just diving into the ska-punk scene, Beth Truss is your gateway. And if Benny Capaul has anything to do with it, expect to be pulled into the pit—mic cable and all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ8hsdCS05Q

🎧 To hear the full conversation with Benny Capaul, tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, streaming now.