Then Comes Silence and Goth Dad Dusty Gannon Join Forces in the Video for Scene Anthem “Stay Strange”

“Stay strange and pure at heart!”

Swedish post-punk provocateurs THEN COMES SILENCE unleashed Trickery, their mighty seventh release, earlier this year through Metropolis Records—a moody milestone that marks their musical evolution. Trickery celebrates friendship, unity and the feeling of belonging to a group of kindred spirits. For the band, being part of the post-punk/goth community is a cherished privilege, enriched by a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere. Regardless of age, enthusiasts unite for the love of the music and the culture it embodies.

Photo: Alice Teeple

Now, THEN COMES SILENCE flicker across the silver screen with a striking new video for Stay Strange, featuring the affable Dusty Gannon—often known as Goth Dad—from Athens, Georgia’s adored outfit, Vision Video. The collaboration crackles with charisma, bringing together two torchbearers of the contemporary goth revival to celebrate the strange and the sublime.

Photo: Alice Teeple

Dusty Gannon created the Goth Dad persona, a humourous blend of goth aesthetics and the quirks of a 1950s sitcom dad. Often appearing on social media in classic goth attire, Goth Dad offers “dad advice” and light-hearted takes that mix goth subculture with everyday life. His charm lies in the contrast between his dark look and his friendly, dad-like demeanor.

A former firefighter and Army veteran, Gannon uses Goth Dad to connect with fans, offering a mix of humor and comfort. The character resonates widely, addressing topics like mental health, sharing goth fashion tips, and giving “goth advice” with wit and warmth. Goth Dad’s self-aware humor and endearing style, often punctuated with his signature phrase, “Stay strange,” have made him a beloved figure in the alternative music community.

While on their last tour, THEN COMES SILENCE frontman Alex Svenson found inspiration in Gannon’s larger-than-life personality and that of his alter ego.

“‘Stay Strange!’ is the call that Dusty Gannon shouts after every show,” explains Svenson of the song’s chorus chant. “When we returned home from our last tour with them, I began working on the song and made it a tribute to the post-punk/goth scene. It was also a natural choice to invite Dusty to sing the chorus.”

The video for Stay Strange flickers between a gothed-up Alex Svenson and Dusty Gannon, interspersed with raw live footage from their US tour last spring. It’s a striking snapshot, playing on the stark contrast between THEN COMES SILENCE’s brooding intensity and Vision Video’s more theatrical flair. The result is a playful yet potent pairing, blending serious post-punk poise with a macabre, tongue-in-cheek twist that fans of both bands will relish.

Watch the video for “Stay Strange” below:

To capture the raw energy of their live performances, Trickery was swiftly recorded over a mere three days at Stockholm’s Kapsylen Studio. With Jonas Fransson’s driving punk rhythms and Hugo Zombie’s inventive guitar work, the spotlight remains firmly on Svenson, whose velvety vocals evoke echoes of the late Michael Hutchence.

Captured over three days at Stockholm’s Kapsylen Studio by Jörgen Wall (Jay-Jay Johanson, The Hellacopters), this album was skillfully mixed by Tom van Heesch. The finishing touch came from Svante Forsbäck of Chartmakers.

Listen to the song below and order the album here.

Trickery by THEN COMES SILENCE
Look for THEN COMES SILENCE on stages across Europe this fall.

Tour Dates:

Sep. 19, 2024 Oberhausen, Germany

Sep. 20, 2024 Liège, Belgium

Sep. 21, 2024 Rouen, France

Sep. 22, 2024 Ivry-Sur-Seine, France

Sep. 23, 2024 Toulouse, France

Sep. 24, 2024 Rezé, France

Sep. 26, 2024 Liège, Belgium

Sep. 27, 2024 Frankfurt, Germany

Sep. 28, 2024 Skurup, Sweden