Defeater - Empty Glass video

Some bands make a single concept album and walk away, others dedicate an entire discography to one long, unfolding story and make those one-album-and-out poseurs look like chumps. The concept career is a nerdy artistic pursuit, for sure, as evidenced by sci-fi-leaning story arcs that involve made-up languages (French prog-rockers Magma) and lyrics-to-ink comic books (Coheed and Cambria). But over two records, so far, melodic hardcore band Defeater has brought the concept album down to Earth with a working-class family from the Jersey Shore in the aftermath of WWII.
Set in a low-lit bar, this video premiere for "Empty Glass," from Empty Days and Sleepless Nights, shot by director Rob Soucy, captures the darker side of a seemingly victorious country still dealing with a lot of hurt. In beautifully-cast shadows, "Empty Glass" cuts from poker players and inconsolable drunks to a skeezy man looking for a one-night stand. Like the brooding song waiting to release, the impressionistic narrative coalesces into a bar-wide fight at the emotional climax. According to Soucy, that explosive moment comes from the bar itself:

Director Rob Soucy:

Defeater initially approached me about shooting them several years ago; the idea had always been that when we finally got to work together, the video would be a short narrative instead of a conventional music video. I've always been intrigued by the energy that exists in certain places, so I wanted the main character to be the bar itself and how its mood shifts over the course of a night. While explaining this is easy on paper, people have very short attention spans these days. So I thought it was a little risky to shoot a period piece where no action occurs until three minutes in, especially as a music video for a hardcore/punk band. I've been close with members of Defeater for a long time, so going out on a limb like that turned into an amazing experience. The creative process can make you feel vulnerable when you're putting ideas out on the table. But my dad appears in the video, as do my cousins, and my brother worked on it with the same group of crew members that I've worked with extensively over the last few years. I guess it's easier for me to make things like this with people I'm close with. And from my experience, it usually makes for a better end result.

Defeater vocalist Derek Archambault:

Along with the conceptual work of our records, we wanted to make a music video that told a story within itself. The "Empty Glass" video shows the sometimes seedy underbelly of our story's bar that the listener finds in the record instead of just seeing the bare-bones love story the song weaves. With our friend and director Rob Soucy, we wanted to take the viewer and fan to a different place than just the record explains.

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Music

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• Defeater

[4thibaut]

Boys: I need your opinion. I got a mail from Panic records that I had to delete my video for The Effort - Dear Sarah due to copyright. Now one more abuse and my account gets deleted. Should I stick to my opinion (promoting this video+music is a good thing) and keep the vid or should I delete this vid (really don't want to)

[4thibaut]

artisticly defeater is way bigger than cncc, they brought hardcore to a next level, did the same for conceptalbums. Defeater is real art, this video also is a piece of art. They are original and belong to the world of art, they are MORE than just music. i don't like popcore but i do like bands like basement, title fight, such gold, make do and mend and manbearpig but i think that's poppunk...

[BlackDahliaHcTk]

CUZ THERE AINT NOTHIN

LIKE YOUR SMILE

YOUR LEGS

AND THOSE EYES

AND I WOULD BEG

ID STEAL AND BORROW

TO KEEP YOU SAFE

YOUR WHOLE LIFE.

[SitrecCertis]

240p really?

[mixitup818]

KEEP IT

[ChristianFu11er]

Okay, why THE FUCK is attack attack under recommended videos for this song. Really youtube, how could you?

[ilovefoxscandy]

I love band that sounds like them. La Dispute, Have Heart, Comeback Kid. They're all awesome.

[Darkchriz]

@MrPBarlow THIS IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT...the elitism in punk rock music just kills me ..its worst then elistism in hip hop and metal...why cant we all mosh and have fun? why does everything have to be..."fuck this band because they didn't do a concept album and they dont talk about being depressed"...seriously you guys are telling me to grow up?

[MrPBarlow]

@Darkchriz I'd LOVE that. Bills with bands who are different yet similar enough to potentially get on are always awesome. One band brings the authenticity and passion, the other brings the catchy riffs and breakdowns. And if someone doesn't want to be there for one or the other...that's what the bar is for. Though I WOULD be more stoked for Defeater.

[sponsormeimfromtx]

This is real emotional music before all those scene fags with all they're bright colored hair and gay ass blood on the dance floor clothes made gay music and ruined the name.

[letsblowuptheMOON]

i hope they make more videos of their songs.

[percussionferlife]

@Darkchriz ? grow up. 

[Darkchriz]

@percussionferlife passionate hardcore? i love defeater bro...and touche amore and la dispute soo that means your a faggot too

[Darkchriz]

@cthulhupunxmusic thats your opinion but i think chunk is good enough to tour with defeater...you look like a fukcing elitist prick rite now

[percussionferlife]

@Darkchriz you obviously know nothing about passionate hardcore, faggot.

[AlloOoAmericanoOoFun]

Hey man, i'm Taylor Carpenter's friend, i loved the video, so well done

[cthulhupunxmusic]

I hope you're trolling, cause if you're not that's fucking sad.

[cthulhupunxmusic]

Your grammar is terrible, and you're asuming a ton, non of the things you said apply to me at all, Chunk is a popcore band,they suck,and should never tour with a band the calibur of Defeater.

[Darkchriz]

@cthulhupunxmusic LMAALAOO WOW.. I love hardcore emo kids..sooo easy to piss off. yo you should listen to more chunk captain no chunk.. they this emotion in there music..its called "happiness"...make some friends..chill with your bros...fuck tumblr bitches..life is short

[cthulhupunxmusic]

@Darkchriz DIE.

[Darkchriz]

@cthulhupunxmusic LMAOO U MAD U MAD>.LIL SUBURBAN HARDCORE BOY BUTTHURT!?? LMAOAOAOAOAOAO

[cthulhupunxmusic]

@Darkchriz No, i'm mad that you're an idiot. People like you need to stay out of hardcore, and so do popcore bands like chunky captain hunk or whatever.You're retarded.

[Darkchriz]

@cthulhupunxmusic lol u mad that chunk no captain chunk is heavier and moshier then defeater?

[cthulhupunxmusic]

@Darkchriz You're retarded.