Interview: The Politics Of Punk Rock With Desaparecidos

By Michael Cerio

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Desaparecidos have had enough.

After thirteen years, the Omaha band released their 2nd album Payola in June, brimming with political unrest, urgency, and dissatisfaction. It's a roaring rallying cry, tackling everything from NSA surveillance to indolent activism exercised from behind a keyboard.

The band is buoyed by their lead singer Conor Oberst, who has been heaped with praise for emotional, thoughtful songwriting both as a solo artist and with his band Bright Eyes. His work with Desaparecidos originally took place before the majority of his success with other projects, leaving the band dormant for the better part of a decade. A project that became a footnote for Oberst as he matured as an artist, seeming more at peace and settled as his career has grown. However Desaparecidos have returned, with Oberst once again howling about injustice over the loudest sounds of his career.

"Just like everyone I think, he's definitely got two very different sides to him, and kind of always has" says Desaparecidos guitarist Denver Dalley before their show at Union Transfer in Philadelphia. "I think that he's got the more introspective quieter stuff, and then he's also got the angry loud stuff. I think everyone's probably got that duality to them."

The music of Desaparecidos is certainly angry and loud, but not without a target. As each song rattles through your chest it's very clear about its objectives. These songs are political and straightforward, an art that's been lost for most of rock music.

"In no way am I talking poorly of anyone, but I think that a lot of bands nowadays are way more focused on becoming popular and getting a lot of likers, and a lot of people following them. I think they kind of get caught up in that aspect of it" says Dalley. "I think it's awesome when you find bands that want to actually say something, use their music as a medium to portray a larger message."

There is no flash with Desaparecidos. No viral videos or sponsored tweets. Just straight ahead, heavy melodic punk rock coated in a cause. That won't win them a Video Music Award, but it does make them an important voice in a sparse corner of music.

"Yeah I don't think it's quite as popular as our sex being on fire. Whatever that means" Dalley jokes.

To hear more from Desaparecidos guitarist Denver Dalley listen to full interview above.