“Dopamine Machine” - The Party After
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
If you’ve ever wondered what it sounds like when a band channels years of chaos, heartbreak, bad luck, and sheer determination into one record, Dopamine Machine is your answer. The Party After—a gritty Omaha rock trio made up of lifelong friends Jared William Gottberg (vocals/guitar), Derek Talburt (drums), and Tony Bates (bass/backing vocals)—have been through the ringer and back. They’ve been robbed on tour, slapped with cease-and-desists, lost time to bad management, and nearly burned out in the chase for “making it.” But instead of letting that break them, they bottled it all up into an album that bleeds honesty, sarcasm, and a heavy dose of dystopian party rock.
Sonically, Dopamine Machine is a wild ride. The band leans into their wide net of influences—Pink Floyd’s psychedelia, Deftones’ heaviness, 311’s groove, Ghost’s theatrical edge—and turns it into a cocktail that feels equal parts nostalgic and brand new. There are spacey, grungy atmospheres one moment, blues-soaked grit the next, and then full-throttle alt-rock that sounds tailor-made for late-night drives or packed, sweaty clubs. At its core, though, the record is about the absurd highs and gut-punch lows of chasing fame and living inside the never-ending party called life.
Tracks like “Blast Off” pull no punches, laying bare the darker side of ambition—the hangover after the glitter fades, the self-doubt that creeps in when the spotlight dims. But then there’s “One For All”, an anthem that reminds us why we show up in the first place: because friendship, connection, and shared dreams are the real lifelines. That balance between cynicism and hope, despair and joy, is what makes Dopamine Machine feel so alive.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
And let’s talk about the process—because this isn’t your typical small-town rock record. The band packed up and recorded the album in Mexico City at Topetitud Estudios, a studio co-owned by Tito Fuentes of Molotov. That change of scenery wasn’t just logistical—it bled into the music, giving it an edge and urgency that only comes from throwing yourself into the unknown. Between longtime ideas dating back to 2011 and spontaneous writing sessions in the studio, the album feels both meticulously crafted and crackling with raw, in-the-moment energy.
Beyond the music itself, what makes Dopamine Machine stand out is the sheer persistence of The Party After. Most bands would’ve folded after half the setbacks they’ve faced—but Jared, Derek, and Tony doubled down. They’ve already shared stages with the likes of Hinder, Nonpoint, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Smile Empty Soul, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon (with Fecht Fest in Kearney, Nebraska on the horizon and a sophomore album already underway).
Dopamine Machine isn’t just a debut album—it’s a survival story, dressed up in heavy riffs, sarcastic lyricism, and a wink at the darker side of chasing dreams. It’s proof that The Party After are here not just to survive, but to thrive—and to remind us that no matter how heavy things get, the show always goes on.
“Dopamine Machine” is available now on all major streaming platforms
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