ROCK IN DETROIT’S
FEBRUARY 2026
BAND OF THE MONTH:
ABSENTEES
Hailing from downriver Detroit, Absentees are an up-and-coming punk rock quintet. Having played over 75 shows, they are on the verge of releasing their fifth ep. The core members are John Quillen, Matt Gawne, Tony Dunn, and Brandon Manoyian. They recently agreed to chat with Rock in Detroit.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Let’s star by sorting out the line-up. Who plays what? I know Brandon is a recent member. How does he fit in?
JOHN: The band consist of our two guitar players Tony Dunn and Matt Gawne. Both of them write songs and contribute vocals. Brandon Manoyian is our bass player and I play the drums. Brandon has really fit in very well with us. I look back and wonder how we got along without him. He found his place instantly
ROCK IN DETROIT: So who if anyone, was on bass before Brandon? How has adding another person to your life up changed your sound?
JOHN: We had Tony and Matt trade off for the longest time and I was afraid of changing that up. Matt said he was done playing bass and wanted to find someone to just play bass. I suggested Brandon.
BRANDON: Seeing Tony and Matt trade off on bass and guitar was always a cool dynamic, but with the addition of a fourth member, they have the freedom to focus on guitars and vocals. Rounding out those assets with bass has brought a new world of creativity and freedom to the band.
ROCK IN DETROIT: You call yourselves Absentees. Absent from anything in particular? School? Work? Society? The world?
MATT: It likely means something different to each of us. I think of it as an absence from social media and trends personally.
JOHN: Matt decided on the name and I was cool with it. At the time none of us had a lot going on. We were kind of absent from everything. I was unemployed at the time so I was definitely absent from work. I needed something to do, and I had plenty of time to play music with my friends. It felt like it was something we all needed and enjoyed. We just kind of ran with it.
BRANDON: I know that there is an actual origin to the name, but I have always viewed “Absentees” as being absent from anything bigoted or noninclusive. Absentees are going to come in, have a good time, and make sure that everyone else has one as well, which was always a drawing factor for me.
ROCK IN DETROIT: You describe yourselves as “Detroit-based.” Is that because you live / work here, or do you feel your music is in some sense based in the music of Detroit?
BRANDON: I feel that we pull quite a bit from that “Detroit Sound,” whether it be rock or punk. I personally love spending time in the city, and any time that the band has played there has been a blast.
JOHN: Whether it is or isn’t will always be subjective. A Shinola watch is made in Detroit but has Swiss Parts. Detroit has always been a hub for everyone from all over the world to come together and create something. I feel we embody that spirit.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Not only are you guys Detroit-based, but you’re from downriver, right? Would you say that there’s a downriver Detroit rock scene that distinct from the standard downtown Detroit/Hamtramk one?
MATT: I don’t think so. I’m not even certain there is a downriver scene at all.
BRANDON: Growing up, it was always hardcore or metalcore bands that seemed abundant to the downriver area. Now it seems like there is a mix of rock, indie, and singer/songwriter acts popping up that have taken that over. You can get a mix of almost everything once you start to branch out closer to the Detroit/Hamtramk area.
JOHN: I’m sure there is, but I feel we’re more concentrated on playing with bands that want to get out and turn some heads. A lot of my favorite bands weren’t about where they were from, it was more about where they were going.
ROCK IN DETROIT: You play punk rock. But that’s a pretty broad category (at least for those of us who have been listening to punk for like forever). Can you describe your music more precisely? What bands are your inspirations?
MATT: Punk is the attitude, but not necessarily the genre. Collectively legendary bands like The Minutemen and Fugazi played an integral role in our approach to playing music.
JOHN: My first punk rock show was seeing The Suicide Machines. It was perfect because I really saw that band grow from start to finish. It was cool seeing a band from Detroit become known around the world. I even bought “Battle Hyms” when I was stationed in Bosnia. That shit still blows my mind.
TONY: It’s kinda hard to pin point us, we have songs that range from thrash to songs you could show your grandma. To keep it short The Ramones gave me my energy, I really got into them the same time I picked up my first guitar so it just went hand in hand. Nowadays I would say Grateful Dead, for their endurance/strength and always remaining true to themselves.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Ok, so it’s time to let our readers check out Absentees’s sound. Could you recommend a track I can link to?
BRANDON: Seeing the band prior to playing bass with them, it was always a joy to see “Pizza Man II,” “Side of Panda,” and “Brothers.” These songs stand as some of my favorites, and it was a blast to learn them when I joined. Choosing between those 3, Brothers would be my go-to recommendation for an introduction to Absentees.
JOHN: I’d say it’s a two way tie off our latest album. I really enjoy Tony’s “Precipitator” and Matt’s “Snake River.” I feel both of those songs showcase what Absentees is about.
TONY: It’s always tough to pick and my choices always change. I would pick our song “5-9” and “Introduction to The Wine / The Wine”. Two very different songs, with the same attitude. Which is something we’re take pride in, being able to step out of the box.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Here’s a hard question. There are lots of punk bands around Detroit. What, if anything, sets you part?
BRANDON: No matter what you throw at Absentees–from any technical difficulties at shows, to extending setlists with our wide range of songs, and even adjusting shows on the fly to include members of other bands/the audience in any of the covers that are performed–they will show up, rock out, and leave you wanting more.
JOHN: I honestly feel we have our own thing. We have our own energy, and we give 100 percent every time! None of it’s forced or faked. It’s all very honest and authentic. We just do what comes natural to us. It’s all very free flowing and pure.
ROCK IN DETROIT: You’ve had five albums. Has your music changed, in terms of tempo, sophistication, or otherwise?
MATT: Likely the most noticeable changes have been between our recording style and production. We have made a conscious effort to make our songs more raw and pure on the Hertz EPs versus our first three full-length albums. I think it’s important to challenge things any time I feel too comfortable with what I’m doing.
BRANDON: If anything, Absentees have never been shy about the content of their songs. I feel that each album just adds to that story, while carrying over a sound that you know is distinctly “Absentees.” Even with my inclusion and inspirations, I am excited to add to the story.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Does your band have a philosophy? If so, would it be Absenteeism?
MATT: I don’t think we have a shared philosophy or view. We are all very different. Our goals do seem to align when it comes to wanting to entertain people, however. So that is nice to have.
BRANDON: To be blunt, I think it is mostly “Don’t be a dick.”
JOHN: I feel we all want the same thing and that is “Let’s just jam and have some fun.” Everything feels like it flows off of that. The guys will play me new songs they’ve been working on, and my philosophy is “How can I make this song sound fucking awesome?”
ROCK IN DETROIT: Fill in the blank: The key these days to succeeding in rock is ______.
MATT: Entertaining and/or captivating an audience.
TONY: To push content and connect with the local scene
BRANDON: Being able to shift with the tide. Using assets like social media, streaming platforms, and trying to branch out. I feel that doing things like content creation like pictures, art, or short form video help keep that interaction going.
ROCK IN DETROIT: You’ve played over 70 shows. Do any stand out? The best? The worst?
BRANDON: While I have been in the band, we played “Electric Mayhem” an outdoor Halloween muppet-themed house show with a raised staged, lights, and all the fixings. Between that and playing the Rex Theater in Morenci, those have been the stand-outs.
JOHN: We’ve been very blessed with playing many great shows. There’s a lot of great stories with each one of these shows. If I had to choose one, it would be one where we opened up for Vanilla Ice at Blondie’s. It was very surreal, there was so much going on that night. It was the first time we saw our fans break out into a crazy mosh pit. Watching people lose their shit to your songs is probably the greatest feeling I’ve had playing music. The worst show? We’ve never really had that experience. Shows have always been the reward for us. There’s no time like showtime!
ROCK IN DETROIT: Speaking about shows, do you have any upcoming shows you’d like people to know about?
JOHN: We decided to take a little break and finish recording our latest album “All The Hertz: Volume 2.”
We do have some upcoming shows planned in April. The first will be show at The Token Lounge on April 3rd. We will be sharing the stage with The American Ruse, an MC5 tribute, and our friends in Bogdon. The second will be at Flamingo Vintage for Corktown Music Fest on April 26th.
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