Dad Bod: Salt Lake Indie, Alternative Legends 

This was my first time witnessing the Dad Bod charm live, and let me tell you – it did not disappoint. If you’re in Salt Lake City and haven’t stumbled upon Dad Bod yet, consider this your official wake-up call. Their music is a perfect cocktail of raw emotion, dreamy soundscapes and the right amount of grit. This band consists of three brothers: Michael, Marcus, and Matthew Marinos, as well as their honorary band brother Russell Allphin (because every great band needs a Russell). 

As if Dad Bod’s set wasn’t killer enough, they were also the official 26Fix supporting band. Meaning they played two flawless sets in one night. Elizabeth Griffee and I sat down backstage with the band to talk about their journey, inspirations and stories behind the songs.

Inspirations, Dream Collaborations, and a Side of Stew

It’s no surprise the band has such fluid chemistry – Russ is also the mind behind Adult Prom, a band that's vocals are in likeness to Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s earliest years and dream-pop instrumentals. With their sounds so closely intertwined, the overlap between the two bands feels seamless. The guys also had a laundry list of inspirations, ranging from The Beatles, to MJ Lenderman, all the way to Nirvana and The Oh Sees (to name a few). These weren’t a huge surprise–Dad Bod’s sound is a grand fusion of all their influences. 

But they don’t just appreciate the big-time bands, they take inspiration from their friends: The Plastic Cherries, Joshua Harmon (Deeper Sleeper, The Backseat Lovers), and Erika Goodwin (26Fix). They’ve toured with POND as 26Fix’s band and even named them as a dream collaboration. The guys had a grand time on tour at Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge, SLC’s beloved Kilby Court and a DIY venue in South Carolina called Spades. Spades even served pre-show stew, making it a gig they’ll remember.

SLC Loves LA, and So Does Dad Bod

The meaning of the LA Benefit Show was important to the band, not only as players. They all have close friends affected by the fires and the band wants to help in every way they can. Michael, lead singer and guitarist, said it perfectly. “When something big happens you feel really helpless. It feels cool to be able to do something with what you’re passionate about. We’re doing something with something we love that’s going to benefit people who are going through some really shitty things.” Our local music scene has outreach far beyond Salt Lake.

Throughout the evening, Dad Bod and all performing bands allowed all merch and ticket proceeds to go toward LA’s fire aid. This was a beautiful moment for the Salt Lake music community.

Dad Bod’s Upcoming Studio Hibernation

Finally, I asked the guys what we can expect from Dad Bod in the upcoming months. Their plans are to buckle down and go into recording mode, especially since they built a DIY studio in Matthew’s basement. For now, long-time fans or curious listeners can attend their upcoming show at Urban Lounge on April 18 supporting 26fix with The Plastic Cherries (which you really don’t want to miss). 

Russ’s band, Adult Prom, is in the works of recording a new EP; big news for the SLC alternative scene. For now, we impatiently await for whatever Dad Bod cooks up next. 

Check out Dad Bod’s Bandcamp and official Instagram page to stay updated!

Check out the other interviews from The Depot's SLC Loves LA show here