A projection blasted out of the music venue's projector and onto the stage, covering both the audience and the band with a visual displaying the Dust Mothers logo. Within moments, the visual exploded into an ever-moving wave of colors as the group sprung into action, electrifying the venue with invisible music waves that pulsed the nervous systems of all present.
That July 2024 concert was the last time Denton and all of Texas would ever have the privilege of seeing Dust Mothers, a passion project created by Roger Johnson, who sought to channel his emotional depth, surreal experiences and love of experimental soundscapes into music that could feel like both an abstract painting and a milestone of personal growth.
“We’re going on ice, we’re going comatose for however fucking long,” Johnson said. “That may be a very long time and no one knows when that is. So for now, this is it, and it really means a lot that y’all are here.”
As legends in the Denton music scene, Dust Mothers promised they would return and keep true to their word this year, stating that nothing will break their brotherly bond.
Becoming the Mothers
It all started in 2019 with 22-year-old Johnson wanting to chase certain sounds he felt were “moving in the same direction." He'd been collaborating with Nathan Clark, who's the band's drummer now, on a few of their mutual friends’ projects, and started a group with him in Denton because he felt that Clark could help him capture his vision.Johnson spent a few months tossing around words in his head that felt right for a band name. He knew he wanted something completely original and finally settled on Dust Mothers, saying, “I wanted it to sound interesting yet welcoming since we’re just a bunch of nerdy dudes getting freaky with it.”
Drawing inspiration from Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Meatbodies, Queens of the Stone Age and early King Gizzard, Johnson eventually found the sound he wanted with Clark. They labeled it progressive psych-punk. Abraham Khan, known as Attic Space, describes their sound as a “mashup of deep psychedelia, jammy surf punk and heavy rock.”
The first day the two recorded together, Johnson recalls going to Clark’s house one morning to teach him a track on their debut album, As Much As You Want. By that afternoon, they were already recording. Clark finished the track by the end of the day with Johnson handling all instruments except drums.
With Clark being a sound engineer and music producer under the name Clark Audio, the two figured recording music was going to be a breeze and released their first album As Much As You Want in 2020.
Guitarist Adrain Radons joined in 2021 and bassist Kegan Castillo joined in 2022. Justin Piel, the singer of Hi, Crikey! and friend of the band, says Castillo is a talented bassist who adapts his playing to fit any situation and calls Radons a skilled songwriter and lyricist for both Dust Mothers and another band, King Turtle.
Together, they became a tight-knit group. Johnson says it's just not Dust Mothers without the four members.
“We each respected one another's input and made some music that I think we're all very proud of," says Castillo.
The bassist says he's always been a little shy performing onstage.
“Joining Dust Mothers helped me get over that, partly because of the friendly nature of the band, but mainly because I simply loved the music and can't help but thrash around when I play it," Castillo says.
Johnson’s Farewell to the Motherland
Johnson had been dabbling with the idea of change for some time, feeling the pull of adventure and the need to shake up his routine. After nearly a decade in Denton, he decided it was time to move on, trading the familiar comforts of a beloved community for the boundless energy of New York City. The decision wasn’t easy, as Denton’s tight-knit music scene and its creative souls had left a mark on him.“I felt like life was getting too easy, and I never felt like I reached a point of truly challenging myself,” Johnson says. “I’ve moved around a lot in my life, and after nine years in Denton, thought that it was time to see more of the world.”
He says having to leave Dust Mothers was one of the hardest parts and he made sure to tell the other members it was not because of them. The others understood. Collectively, the four performed three final shows leading up to their fourth and final show at Rubber Gloves.
During this time, Khan, who also does live music visuals, documented their final days under the studio name Attic Space Signature Films. Piel says that, in terms of making connections, Dust Mothers has left an impact on the Denton music scene.
“A Dust Mothers concert really shows what is possible when you put everything you have into a show and turn it into something bigger through recognizing and celebrating the talents of those around you,” Piel says.
At their final show at Rubber Gloves on July 14, 2024, the group performed alongside friends in the bands Hazelwart, Strays and Godot. Khan provided live visuals as well, something the Dust Mothers usually request.
“Hey, Roger, it’s hard to feel at home in a lot of places, but you make it feel like … you make this house feel like a home,” Radons said between songs.
The band finished the last song with emotions running rampant. As the foursome united in a group hug, the crowd cheered for what could have been the last Dust Mothers show.
“So many friends, as well as people who hadn't yet seen us came out, and it felt like the perfect way to see Roger off,” Castillo says. “Everyone danced, laughed and perspired. It was beautiful.”
The process of creating Moravia, the latest album released Oct. 31, was a whirlwind for Dust Mothers, filled with triumph yet unexpected challenges. The band began recording right after their farewell show, with the goal of finishing the album in a tight window of only a few days.
The first sessions were perfect, but technical issues led to the loss of the original recordings, leaving only raw files. The second round of recording was bittersweet for Johnson, missing his bandmates' energy but appreciating the focus of working alone in a Brooklyn apartment. Despite the challenges, he recreated the magic of the first sessions with Clark’s guidance.
Moravia benefited from collaborators, including Owen Salazar, who created the album artwork; Khan, who designed the Spotify canvases; Jon Birondo, who directed the music video for "Delinquent Miscreant”; and Will Mecca's photography. It was another farewell gift to the Denton music scene.
“It’s a bummer that they aren’t as active as they were before Rog moved up to NYC, but their presence is still felt around town,” Piel says. “You can’t kill the Dust Mothers, and they’ll be back. And people will celebrate each and every return.”
“The Crazy, Chaotic and Cramped" Reunion Show
Dozens of people, young and old, crammed into a small room in a Denton house venue known as The Asylum to see Dust Mothers’ reunion show. The venue teased the show in Nov. 19 in the comments of a Denton Live Instagram post, and an official announcement from Dust Mothers came on Nov. 30.Johnson was returning to Denton to spend time with friends and when news reached Piel and Taylor Rosson, the owner of The Asylum, they both reached out to him for a reunion show. Immediately jumping at the chance, Johnson contacted the other members and other friends to join them in the performance.
Joining them that night were Hi, Crikey!, Bubby and Roach Noises, with Khan providing live visuals. Live visuals ran across the faces of those performing; the only other light was a blue lamp on the side of the area.
As each band performed, Johnson immediately hovered to the front, dodging elbows and slipping through cracks to see his friends perform. He danced and smiled as he locked eyes with his friends, recalling how every show with any of them felt like a reunion.
"It filled my heart with so much warmth, and not just because it’s 20 degrees here in the North,” Johnson says. “Denton has something really special to its scene. Yes, there is a fair share of hardcore weirdos in New York, but Denton has an inclusivity that’s very approachable."
Then came time for the grand finale, as Dust Mothers took their positions and began tuning and testing their instruments.
“I want to give the people what they want,” Johnson said after an attendee shouted for more of the effect from the whammy pedal.
With one deep breath, the members started their set. Castillo, the “stoic rock,” laid down the intricate basslines. Radons, the “soul of the band,” added emotional depth with his guitar. Clark, the “technical wizard,” kept everything tight with precise drumming and production skills. And Johnson, the driving force who founded this makeshift team of heroes, twitched his body with every note, fueling the band's energy as he sang and played guitar
Attendees started pushing and shoving in the small intimate space with even Roger participating while still strumming guitar.
“Crazy, chaotic and cramped,” Khan would later describe it.
To Castillo, it was like their “last show had been only a week prior.”
Dust Mothers has evolved through lineup changes and growing collaboration, but its family dynamic remains unchanged. Roger cherishes playing alongside Clark, Radons and Castillo, all of whom consider one another brothers.
Though they are not sure when they will play again, as Johnson still resides in New York, Dust Mothers are confident they will return in the future, even if it's just a few shows once a year.
“Knowing that people still want to come out to our shows and be a part of the experience makes me glad that we’re still keeping the flame burning,” Johnson says.
