Fake Dad will debase themselves for your love on “Third Degree”

 Los-Angeles duo Fake Dad releases their mania-fueled new single “Third Degree.” Writing and refining the song from the road, they perfected it against the grindstone of their audience's energy, night after night. “Third Degree” became an easy fan favorite — a crossbreed of Fake Dad’s saturated electropop roots and the gritty, punk energy of their live show. Casting their own world of avant-garde characters through their music, Fake Dad’s latest offering is simply desperate for your love — Stream.

Singer Andrea de Varona shared, “We really wanted to make a 2000s-inspired club jam that still had the angsty, Riot Grrrl-esque energy that has been at the forefront of Fake Dad’s performance and writing style over the past couple of years. This time, though, rather than going for all angst, all yell we wanted the crux of the song to circle back to something really vulnerable. So yes, I’m this anti-establishment, ‘calling out the man’ baddie, but also I want to be seen, and I want to be loved for all the parts of me. And the realization that maybe the nuance of my inner world makes me kind of messy and insane. Like I want to be untouchable but also really want to let my guard down and be accepted. And at the end of the day, who doesn’t feel a little crazy when it comes to love and relationships?”

The band’s other half, Josh Ford, further elaborated, “This song is part of an exploration we’re doing lately into the intersection between electro/house music and the ethos of punk. There’s so many cool artists right now that are engaging with computer music in much the same way punks in the 70s and 80s were engaging with guitar music. We really wanted this song to straddle that divide between riot grrrl punk energy and electro club girl energy, because to us they feel like they’re one and the same.”

“Lots of our songs are written from the perspective of this elevated character who is confident, aggressive, and combative. This song finds her trying to convince a lover (and herself) that she won’t stand for bullshit, and won’t accept disrespect—just to turn around in the chorus and admit that ultimately, she is desperate for any scrap of attention they’re willing to give her, and will debase herself to get it. It’s inherently hypocritical, or at least self-deluded. It’s a situation a lot of people find themselves in.”

Recently wrapping up tours supporting Wallice and Strawberry Fuzz, Fake Dad is amped up on live show energy and not ready to ween off. Up next on June 27, they will perform at the Santa Monica Pier 360 Fest. Recently announced, Fake Dad will headline The Echo in Los Angeles on July 23 for Rocknite alongside Fime and Forest, presented by Big Loud Rock. Ahead of this performance, the band will be building buzz on the LA streets with questionably legal pop-up shows — keep up with all tour dates here.

Last year, Fake Dad released their EP Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine. Across the 7 tracks, the band reinvented themselves in a series of fictional characters. 2025 also saw the band embark on their first North American tour with Pom Poko. They were official showcasing artists at SXSW. Fake Dad’s single “So Dramatic” was featured on the season 3 premiere of Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia.

ABOUT FAKE DAD:

Andrea de Varona (she/her) and Josh Ford (he/him) aka Fake Dad are a Los Angeles-based, NYC-bred indie rock meets dream pop duo. Formed in 2020, the two met at a college party in the East Village and have been inseparable ever since. Melting their own unique artistic visions to build a shared sonic shorthand, Fake Dad creates an intoxicating and colorful musical fusion complete with catchy pop-laden hooks, crunchy, 90s-inspired guitars, grooving bass lines, and buoyant synths. With a distinctive production sound and a signature vocal delivery, the two write and record expansive musical moments from their apartment. Although Andrea and Josh come from different musical backgrounds, they share a common goal: to create music that understands you.