CJ of Dead Retinas chats about lyricism, vocals, & getting shirtless on stage!

We had the chance to speak with CJ, the leas vocalist of hardcore band Dead Retinas, about the group’s lyrical inspirations, being a vocalist, mosh pits, getting shirtless on stage, and more! Check it out below.

Based in Manchester, England, Dead Retinas has been on the hardcore scene and making music for over a decade. If you’ve been to one of their shows over the years, you’ve probably experienced an overwhelmingly energetic stage presence that translated to the crowd that most likely turned into a mosh pit.

You may have even seen the handsome lead vocalist, CJ, go shirtless on stage during the band’s set. Covered in sweat and delivering some of the sickest vocals you’ve ever heard, he’s more than just eye candy and the band is more than just your typical hardcore band.

The four piece group consists of guitarist Jack and bass guitarist Gaduzo, both of which tear it up on stage and in the studio every single time. Heath is on drums, bringing conviction to every kick and piece of his drum kit for the heart of each track. CJ, of course, is the one blessing our ears (and eyes) with his intense vocal ability.

The lyricism in their tracks also deliver something the alternative underground music culture needs. From topics that touch on HIV transmission, femininity and masculinity, as well as building community from an outsider perspective, their songs highlight important things while keeping the same ethos the alt/hardcore scene originally built its foundations on.

They recently released their latest EP titled Gloom, consisting of five tracks that take the listener on a journey through storytelling, intense vocals, heavy guitars, and steady percussion all mixed and mastered to perfection. It’s seriously a top tier produced EP and worth a listen from start to finish.

I had the chance to chat with CJ about all of this and more. Check out one of my favorite interviews to date below, I promise you its well worth the read!

Bryce Quartz: Hey there, CJ! Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today. How have you been doing lately?

CJ of Dead Retinas: Thanks for having me! Shoes on or off? And I’ll have a milk and two sugars, please! 

I’ve actually just got back from BearScots with my partner, and honestly, we spent about 90% of the weekend laughing and the other 10% sleeping! It was such a good vibe, and we had an absolute blast.

Bryce: Before we jump into the meat of the interview, I’d like to get some background on you for our readers. How long have you been a musician and what initially inspired you to pursue the art?

CJ: My dad’s a musician and tours all over the place with his various projects, so I guess that’s where my musical chops came from. Some of my earliest memories are of him playing piano at home.

It wasn’t until I got obsessed with bands like Junior Senior and The Hives that I started picking up instruments myself. I started playing bass, dabbled in a bit of drums, and as my music taste got heavier and heavier over time, I discovered I had a knack for screaming!

Honestly, I just love performing. I love being able to get up there, make some noise and put my own point of view out into the world. That’s what it’s all about for me.

Bryce: You’re the lead vocalist in a hardcore band called Dead Retinas, and the music y’all create is insanely awesome. When did the band form and what does the creative process look like when y’all create a new song?

CJ: Me and our guitarist, Jack, are childhood friends. We went all the way through primary school to college together, spent a ridiculous amount of time hanging out, and played our first live performance together at school. It’s the sort of friendship that doesn’t come around very often, so having that history at the heart of the band is really special.

We originally started Dead Retinas when we’d both come back from university. We brought Heath in on drums, and honestly, finding a drummer of his calibre out in the wild is no easy task! Then, when I moved from bass to lead vocals, Gaduzo joined us on bass. He’s been a huge creative force behind our most recent EP. He’s got a really interesting perspective on music and a great understanding of how songs should be structured.

Writing new music can be a pretty long, drawn out process for us, mainly because of logistics. Our drummer lives in Wales and has a couple of young kids, so getting all four of us in the same room can be a challenge.

That said, when we do get together, the ideas tend to come thick and fast. Some of my favourite songs have been those spontaneous, in the moment vibes where everything just clicks, while others have been pieced together bit by bit over months of rehearsals.

I think that contrast is part of what makes the songwriting process interesting for us. You never quite know how a song is going to form.

Bryce: Your vocal ability is nothing short of impressive. I yell a lot in my songs but I can’t do what you do, I’ve already strained my voice enough in my own studio sessions! The way you can manipulate your voice as a vocalist is hard to do, so I’m wondering how you learned you’re able to do that and if there’s any tricks to it? 

CJ: I think a lot of people don’t fully understand screaming vocals. It’s not just screaming your head off, it takes years of practice and learning how your body works. The biggest thing is learning to control your breath and produce the sound without putting pressure on your vocal cords.

Back in the day, I was heavily influenced by Howard Jones during his Killswitch Engage era. I loved those really deep, guttural screams with bursts of higher pitched aggression thrown in. If you watch me perform, you’ll probably notice I push my nose up with my fist quite a lot, It’s a little technique I use to change the sound and get those higher pitched shouts.

You’ve also got to commit to it 100%. You really have to go for it! If you half arse it, you’re not going to get the same intensity.

These days, my biggest vocal influence is Damian Abraham from Fucked Up. I’ve found myself gravitating towards that style of screaming and shouting because it feels more comfortable for me, especially when I’m performing with the kind of high energy our live shows are known for.

It suits the way I move on stage and the overall intensity we bring as a band. Age comes for us all, and we need to adapt to those changes by experimenting with what works for you

Bryce: From the songs your band has released, y’all have lyrically covered so many important topics that feel quintessential to the origins of punk and metal but with some modernized originality. From talking about HIV transmission, alternative relationships, and navigating being ostracized from social groups that can be fickle, there’s really something for everyone.

What has the reception been like from the hardcore and punk scene to the band’s music and queer centric front man?

CJ: The alternative scene here is quite masculine, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. You’ll often find us playing alongside metal bands, and back home we play with a lot of doom bands. They all have their own perspectives and their own audiences, which makes things interesting.

I suppose I walk a bit of a tightrope between that highly masculine, often heterosexual world and the gay world in all its technicolour. In a way, it puts me in a unique place to stand in a room full of strangers and talk about things that might not otherwise come up.

I can explain what PrEP is, why undetectable equals untransmittable when it comes to HIV, how to be respectful at Pride events, and why consent isn’t just some feminine buzzword. It’s something that should be valued regardless of gender or sexuality.

If even one person leaves a show and decides to get tested, looks into PrEP, or learns something that helps reduce HIV transmission, then I’ve done my job. That’s genuinely important to me.

Honestly, the UK alternative scene has been incredibly accommodating in my experience. I’ve had absolutely no problems, and I regularly get thanked after shows for talking about issues that are either close to someone’s heart or something they’ve never really had the chance to learn about before. Sometimes, people just need someone to open up that conversation.

I think alternative culture in the UK can offer a real sense of community, and I’ve found that people are often much more receptive than you might expect. We’re fortunate in that respect, and I hope we can keep creating spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions and learning from one another.

Bryce: Your band just put out a new EP called Gloom, can you tell us a little bit about it and possibly share some insight on what went into making it?

CJ: Gloom is the culmination of several years of writing, rewriting and refining ideas. It was also recorded over a longer period, in shorter sessions, so the whole process gave me a lot of time to sit with the songs and think about what I actually wanted to say.

It took so long to record that I ended up rewriting some of the lyrics because the original subject matter just didn’t resonate with me anymore. I’d moved on as a person, and I wanted to tell different stories and explore other themes.

Blink, for example, originally started out as a song about space and the stars, but ultimately evolved into a song about climate change. I really appreciated having the time and freedom to revisit those ideas.

For me, Gloom is about the things that make me gloomy. It’s about capturing sadness as I’m experiencing it, rather than trying to dress it up or make it into something it’s not. Having that extra time to develop and really curate the themes gave the EP a much stronger identity.

And honestly, I think taking that time paid off. We ended up with an absolute banger of an EP!

Bryce: For the bears or LGBTQ+ people who may not be into heavy music, what do you think would change their mind?

CJ: Access to heavier genres has never been easier, and gatekeeping feels far less prevalent than it once was.

I genuinely think anyone who enjoys storytelling and engaging with lyrics could find something special in heavy music. If the barrier is “I can’t understand what they’re saying”, then honestly, go and listen while reading the lyrics.

There’s a whole world of emotion, narrative and meaning out there. Bands like Alexisonfire, Beartooth, Atreyu and A Day To Remember combine intense, emotive subject matter and heavy vocals but with some clean singing that soars above the noise. These bands are perfect stepping stones to heavier music. 

And punk has always been about more than music. It’s protest, resistance, individuality and community. It shares deep connections with LGBTQ+ culture, and its influence can be seen everywhere from fashion and drag to film and wider popular culture. At its best, punk is a melting pot of progressive ideas, liberal sensibilities and people challenging the status quo.

Heavy music has so much more to offer than its surface level aggression. Sometimes you just have to be willing to listen a little closer

Bryce: With the music you and the band create, I just know the live shows go extremely hard and that energy is translated well to the stage. The bears will be happy to know, too, that you oftentimes take your shirt off on stage! What’s the vibe like for your live shows and are there other people as hot as you taking their shirt off in the mosh pit?!

CJ: Performing topless is an extension of the character I become on stage. Away from the stage, I’m deeply introverted. Reluctant to talk to people, or engage with the world beyond my immediate surroundings, or expend energy on much outside my own little bubble.

My social battery is empty before I’ve even left the house, and honestly, I’m okay with that. I could never see another human being again and be perfectly content in my own company.

But on stage, a specific persona takes over, he’s not named I’m just going to refer to him as he.

This overly expressive, flamboyant showman takes every fear, insecurity and anxious thought and devours it whole. Worried about my body? He eats it. Feeling depressed? He shoulders the burden. Every neurosis that might hold me back becomes fuel for something bigger, louder and unapologetically alive.

Being a big guy performing topless invites opinions. Commentary, criticism, disgust whatever society has decided bodies like mine should provoke. But he transforms that scrutiny, converting insecurity into sexual energy and self-consciousness into spectacle.

He thinks he’s hot. And he doesn’t give a fuck whether you agree. He takes up space, commands attention and makes you sit with whatever feelings that brings up in you.

RuPaul describes it beautifully when talking about the power drag queens find in drag: that feeling of stepping into a version of yourself that is fearless and unapologetically powerful. And that power isn’t exclusive to drag. It’s available whenever you need it. It’s a tap you can turn on.

For me, he is that tap. He takes everything I struggle with in private and turns it into something bold, provocative and full of life.

I might leave the house with an empty social battery, but he steps on stage fully charged. And he thinks he’s fucking gorgeous

If you want to take your shirt off in the pit let nothing hold you back. Command that space. You’re hot. Own it. 

Bryce: Speaking of, and just because I’m curious: what are some of the craziest things you’ve personally seen at a mosh pit either at your shows or others?

CJ: Gallows at XOYO, their first UK show with Wade MacNeil as frontman. The place went absolutely feral. By the second song, the crowd had bent the barrier so badly that they were crowd-surfing it out of the venue.

I’ve seen human pyramids at Enter Shikari shows. Outbreak Fest here in Manchester is barrierless, and you practically have to agree to terms and conditions to get anywhere near the stage. I’ve been in wall of deaths, circle pits that span the entire length and width of a venue, and hardcore shows where crowd killing (people just beating the shit out of each other) is part of the culture.

But whatever happens, there’s one cardinal rule: if someone falls, you pick them up.

They could be your worst enemy. Doesn’t matter. The second they hit the floor, none of that matters anymore. You get them back on their feet. No questions, no hesitation.

Because you can spend three minutes trying to knock the absolute shit out of each other during a song, but the moment someone goes down, you’re responsible for making sure they get back up.

Also, just wanted to point out for those reading that just because you may get shirtless on or off stage, consent is always key and touching you or anyone without asking is extremely important. What are the do’s and don’t’s you feel are important to know in and outside of your shows?

Outside of live shows, I hate being touched. If I want you to touch me, I’ll invite you to. It really is that simple.

I’ve been grabbed at Pride events, bear events, club nights and gigs. I’ve worn a harness outside clubs and had women come over to grab me. At a gig at Piece Hall, a drunk Prosecco hun repeatedly grabbed my waist from behind despite me asking her to stop several times. I’ve even witnessed someone trying to take photos up another person’s kilt at Pride.

I think some people assume that because our community is basically gay men, thems and fems, we’re all promiscuous, horny and happy to be grabbed at any opportunity. As though our sexuality, what we wear or the spaces we occupy somehow makes our bodies public property.

This isn’t about gender or sexuality, and I’m not talking about incidental contact in a busy bar. I’m talking about deliberately touching someone without consent, sometimes repeatedly after being told to stop.

Wearing a harness, dressing provocatively or being gay does not give you carte blanche to touch someone. Keep your fucking hands to yourselves.

Performing is a little different. I mentally prepare for a certain level of physical contact, particularly when I’m performing in the middle of the crowd. If I stay on stage, I generally don’t want to be touched; if I come into the audience, I’ve made that choice.

But that’s a choice I make, not blanket permission to touch me whenever you feel like it.

Consent still matters. Our bodies are our own. Act accordingly.

Bryce: If there’s one thing you want someone to take away from your music or your live shows, whether LGBTQ+ or cishet, what would it be and why?

CJ: Real talk, if you don’t know our lyrics, you might leave our show with nothing more than my explanations of the songs. But I encourage you to look deeper than the surface.

There are bands that dominate entire oceans of music, spanning vast expanses but offering only a few feet of depth.

I want you to leave our shows excited and entertained, but also with little sparks of curiosity. Questions that stay with you long after the music stops, inspiring you to look beyond the stage and learn a little more about what’s happening on this pale blue dot we call home.

Bryce: As a member of the hardcore and punk scene for quite some time, I am sure you’ve seen it evolve and change a lot over the years. What are some of the things you hope to see in the years to come as the scene continues to evolve?

CJ: The UK heavy music scene is much more of a mix of genres than separate tribes. We’re a relatively small country compared to the States, and the scene is generally super friendly, engaged and enthusiastic with the generations coming after us being incredibly on the pulse of new music with an emphasis on new experiences.

You see the rise of AI music but to counter that you get bands like Angine de Poitrine experimenting with microtonal sound and odd time signatures that AI could never replicate. Ultimately younger fans tend to be open to an eclectic range of genres and each year the tribalism of the past is eroded. If I want to see Five or Vengaboys at Download Festival, then I’ll damn well go and see them and enjoy it! 

Manchester crowds are a little more chilled. We can play one show where everyone’s going wild, crowd surfing and moshing, then another where people are standing with their arms crossed, just nodding along. Either way, Dead Retinas energy comes from the music, so the intensity of our shows doesn’t change with the crowd.

On the darker side, the number of people in UK bands who’ve faced allegations of sexual harassment or assault is staggering. It seems to happen multiple times a year, and there’s still a lot of work to do to get these people off our stages.

There’s also the endless cycle of the same bands playing the same events in different running orders, all propping each other up. (Not naming bands specifically). We’ve stepped back from that and become more selective about who we play with. It means fewer shows, but we’re a lot older than when Dead Retinas started, and we just don’t have the drive to play a 2pm Sunday slot at an all dayer every weekend anymore. On occasion yes! Just not every weekend.

Bryce: Outside of making dope music with your band, what do you like to spend your free time doing? Would we be able to find you at any bear nights or events?

CJ: Certain events, for sure! I can 100% recommend BearScots. It’s so well thought out, friendly, and offers much more than your typical weekend. They raised over £6,000 for charity this year, too! I’ve heard amazing things from Honey Honey, Beefmince, Midsbear and Mersey Bears.

Two Tons Of Fun are also worth checking out. Dandy is another event and space that anyone is welcomed in. I love seeing more regional events and one off club nights that break away from the usual “paint-by-numbers” circuit format.

My partner and I have been out of the scene for a couple of years while buying our first house. We’ve prioritised building genuine friendships over endless passing hellos. Sometimes, bear events can feel like you spend more time saying hi to everyone than having meaningful interactions.

Outside of that, I’m a Warframe player with around 4,000 hours logged! I recently attended a Tenno VIP event in Glasgow hosted by Digital Extremes, met some developers and community leads, and enjoyed free food, merch and a completely open bar all night for all the guests. Hard to argue with that after 4,000 hours!

Bryce: Time for the quick fire questions!

Top 3 bands, musicians, or songs?

CJ: Oh, nightmare! There are so many options because I pretty much listen to everything.

Special mentions:

Alexisonfire — My all-time favourite band. Wade MacNeil was the first guy I ever fancied, and my love for him has only grown! He’s been such an amazing human to me over the years, as have the rest of the band. I’ve seen them 40 times now, and they’re still at the top of their game.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats — An incredible band who never fail to lift my spirits when I’m feeling low.

Luke Combs — Sense a theme with handsome husky singers? He got me into country music, and I’ve been there since the beginning. I saw him play a 3,000-capacity venue in Manchester back in 2018, and fast-forward to 2026, I was watching him at Edinburgh Stadium, still shouting every single word!

Bryce: Favorite foods, dishes, or restaurants?

CJ: Curry, Pizza, Gyoza. Next?

Bryce: Top 3 travel or holiday locations?

CJ: Canada, USA, and I want to go to Japan one day!

Bryce: Favorite video games?

CJ: Warframe, World of Warcraft, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Side note: Honestly, I genuinely think Warframe is one of the most ethical live-service games out there. Everything is obtainable in-game, and you don’t need to spend a penny.

The developers and community team are incredibly engaged, and the game is packed with content.

If you love run and gun gameplay, ridiculous power fantasies, and spending hours making your characters look fabulous, you NEED to give Warframe a go!

Fashion is the true endgame.

Side note 2: I will forever be devastated and depressed that I’ll never get to experience Clair Obscur for the first time again. That game moved me in ways I can’t even begin to explain. An absolute masterpiece that will stay with me for a long time.

Side Note 3: Kul Tirans….am I right?! 

Bryce: Top 3 movies or TV shows?

CJ: Dawn Of The Dead (Original), Scott Pilgrim vs The World, and Legend of Korra (they did her dirty in the new Avatar series)

Bryce: How can our readers support you and your band if we can’t make it to your live shows?

CJ: You can download our music over at Deadretinas.bandcamp.com, where our new EP is available on a pay-what-you-want basis. All our music is also available on all major streaming platforms.

We’ve temporarily halted online merch sales because, frankly, postage prices have become ridiculous, and we can’t justify charging you that much to get our stuff to you. But if you catch us playing live, you’ll find merch waiting for you at the booth! Or if you are in the UK, postage is more reasonable so hit us up on socials. We offer T-shirt sizes up to 5XL. 

Honestly, one of the biggest things you can do to help a small band like us is engage with us on social media. Give us a follow, like our posts, leave a comment, share our stuff, and help feed the algorithm gods. Every little bit makes a difference.

You can also watch our videos on YouTube, stream our music, and generally help spread the word.

And if you’re not particularly bothered about the music but just fancy following a handsome bear, that’s absolutely fine too. 

There are plenty of topless photos over on Instagram. We’re happy to cater to all tastes.

Bryce: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me! Is there anything you’d like to leave our readers with today?

CJ: Weird bit of advice, take it from an introvert: sometimes the best part of a night out is knowing when to call it a night. A skill hard to master but worth more than you realise.

Be sure to give Dead Retinas a follow across social media, stream their music, or show some support on their Bandcamp!

Bandcamp – Instagram – Facebook – YouTube