Iron Lung could be the most heavily toured Seattle band you’ve never heard of. Jon Kortland (guitar/vocals) and Jensen Ward (drums/vocals) have operated under the radar for six years, touring the world via a network of DIY basements and hardcore bands while maintaining a low profile locally. “In a lot of ways, not having the support [of a label] is better,” says Kortland. “You’re in charge. You get to make all the decisions. It’s a lot of work, but you know what you’re getting.”
That work has paid off for Iron Lung. They’ve just completed their fourth U.S. tour, and last year they were able to tour both Europe and Australia. They’re also preparing to record a new full-length, titled Sexless\\No Sex, to be released on Prank Records. “The songs are about interpersonal relationships,” says Ward. “But they’re also about our relationships to life, death, work, and mundane daily shit.”
The medical machinery of the band’s name features frequently in their lyrics as a potent symbol for a life lived passively and without meaning. “That would be the worst thing,” says Ward. “Being trapped, being taken care of, but never [being] able to do anything for yourself.”
If that sounds bleak, they promise good times at their upcoming show. “Municipal Waste are total party-thrash-metal,” says Kortland. “They bring bodyboards for crowd surfing.”
So if they’re party-thrash-metal, what are Iron Lung? “Not a good time,” replies Kortland. “We’re a bummer.”
“We’re crap,” Ward says, laughing. “No, we’re the best thing ever.”