On the occasion of the release of their new album Where Did All The Butterflies Go (released on
September 5), Sensation Rock met with Beepus, bassist of the American band Beauty School Dropout,
who agreed to answer all our questions. The California quartet, already spotted on the road alongside
blink-182 and Alkaline Trio, is now establishing itself as one of the leading figures of rock’s revival.
True stage beasts, they leave a strong impression with their high-energy shows and a musical identity
that challenges conventions. For Sensation Rock, it was Beepus who granted us this interview, just
before taking the stage at Backstage de Mill.
SR: You just released a new album on September 5th called “Where Did All The Butterflies Go”.
What was the process of creating it? Which themes did you want to address first?
BSD: The process of creating this album was very different for us. Last time, with Ready to Eat, we
finished it while touring in Europe, and we quickly realized that balancing touring and recording at this
level was almost impossible. So, we made the conscious decision to take a year and a half off to write.
At the start of 2024, we said: “Let’s just focus on writing an album. No touring, no distractions—let’s
do it old school.” The first song we wrote was Fever, and that track became the spark that shaped the
rest of the record. We were really searching for who we are as a band—what does Beauty School
Dropout mean? Fever opened that door. Each of us was going through personal struggles, and after five
years together, it felt like we had been in this for much longer.
This time, we wanted to create art for ourselves rather than trying to please others. Over the course of
that year and a half, we wrote around 100 songs. Then, at the start of 2025, we met with legendary
producer Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Blink-182, Twenty-One Pilots). We had never met
or worked with him before, but he simply said: “I like you guys—let’s work together.” We spent three
months finishing the album with him, and now here we are, the record completed.
SR: Isn’t it difficult to agree on and write an album when you’re in a band?
BSD: We’re all very different people, but we love each other deeply. Everyone copes with touring in
their own way. Personally, I’d rather put all my energy into the live show than worry about finishing an
album while on the road. That’s exactly why we decided to take time off.
For the first time, there was no rush to put music out. That’s also why we’re the proudest of this record—
it feels personal and deeply connected to us. Colie writes most of the lyrics, but he also channeled what
we were all experiencing individually, and tied it into the songs.
SR: I feel that this album was made for live shows.
BSD: Definitely. That was intentional. Having toured so much beforehand, we already knew what
worked live and what didn’t. So, every time we wrote a new track, the question was: “Will this work on
stage?”
SR: And this is your first headline tour, right?
BSD: In Europe, yes. I’m so excited. As kids, we always dreamed of playing in Europe—it felt so far
away. Now we get to travel the world, play our music in countries we never thought we’d visit, and see
more and more people coming to our shows. It feels surreal, like living a dream.
SR: How did you decide which songs would lead the album?
BSD: Funny enough, On Your Lips was the last track we wrote, but it became the first single. Fever was
the first song we wrote and ended up as the second release. That felt symbolic of the journey we went
on while creating the record.
The two songs are very different, but they showcase both sides of the album. We drew inspiration from
so many different places throughout the process. Ultimately, the music tells you what it wants to do.
SR: This album shows growth and experimentation in your sound. Looking back, what has
changed the most about Beauty School Dropout since your first release?
BSD: We’ve finally figured out who we are—individually and as a band. On this album, you can hear
pieces of all of us: our personal inspirations and our collective ones. That’s why it sounds unique. Each
listener might hear something familiar, but overall, Beauty School Dropout doesn’t sound like anyone
else.
SR: When you’re writing a song, do you start with the sound, the melody, the lyrics, or the feeling?
BSD: Colie writes most of the lyrics, but musically it’s a group effort. Whoever has the best idea on a
given day, we run with it. None of us are precious about our instruments—I can pick up the guitar, Bardo
can play bass, Colie is also an incredible guitarist.
Some songs on this record, I played almost every instrument except drums. On others, I didn’t even play
bass. It’s all about excitement—hearing what each of us brings to the table with our different styles.
SR: If you had to describe this album in just three words for someone who hasn’t heard it yet,
what would they be? And what are your favorite songs?
BSD: Fast, driving, and sexy. Personally, my favorite is Fever, because it’s where the whole album
started and I’m really proud of it. As a band, I think we all agree on Madonna. City Never Sleeps is also
up there.
SR: Your energy on stage is explosive. What goes through your minds the moment you step on
stage and the music kicks in?
Beepus: Honestly, it’s like a blackout—I completely lose myself. There’s a lot of pre-show anxiety, not
because we’re nervous, but because we’re so excited to get on stage. I truly believe we were born to do
this. The energy feels like a drug.
Seeing how our music impacts people, and feeding off their energy, is incredible. We love moshing—
rock just brings something special to live shows that no other genre does. It makes people feel alive.
SR: Rock has always been associated with rebellion and friendship. What does it mean to be in a
band today?
BSD: For us, it’s about freedom—being yourself. As kids, we connected with bands that spoke to our
emotions, whether angry or sad. There was always a rock song that resonated.
Rock is community-driven and friendship-based. Many of our fans tell us they’ve met friends at our
shows. Seeing strangers hang out after a concert and then come together to the next one—it’s amazing.
SR: Many people talk about a “rock revival” in recent years. Why do you think rock still has such
an impact today, and how do you see yourselves in this movement? Which artists inspire you—
like YUNGBLUD or JXDN, who aren’t afraid to break the rules?
BSD: Genres always come and go, and right now rock is having a comeback. Artists like MGK,
YUNGBLUD, and JXDN definitely pushed the boundaries. For us, the biggest inspirations are from
the ’90s and early 2000s: Nirvana, The Cure, The Killers, Depeche Mode, Mötley Crüe. But also,
heavier band. Colie loves Loathe, I love Kings of Leon. We love great song. A great rock song is the
kind you scream with 20,000 other people at the top of your lungs.
SR: How do you perceive the rock scene in France compared to elsewhere?
BSD: I don’t know a lot about it, but I love Gojira—they’re iconic, and their Olympics performance
was incredible. My favorite French band right now is Landmvrks. I’d call them post-hardcore, and
they’ve brought something new to a genre that often feels repetitive. We’re all huge fans—obsessed,
honestly.
SR: Your name, “Beauty School Dropout”, is striking. What inspired it, and what does it say about
your identity?
BSD: Colie saw the name on the back of a magazine after a trip to Australia. We’ve all loved Grease
since we were kids, and of course, that’s where the phrase comes from. Seeing it written out resonated
with him—it’s soft but also tough.
We believe there’s beauty in dropping out. It’s a name for outcasts, for those who refuse to conform.
That’s what Beauty School Dropout stands for. Since we became a full band, it’s the only name we’ve
ever had. Plus, we love our acronym—BSD.
SR: You’ve been touring extensively, including with blink-182 and Alkaline Trio. How does
performing live influence the way you approach music in the studio?
BSD: With this album, we tried harder than ever to bring live energy into the recordings. We used real
amps, live drums—everything feels rawer. For a long time, our live show felt different from our records.
Now, we’ve brought those two worlds together, because nothing beats live music.
SR: Imagine Beauty School Dropout as a superhero team. What would each of your powers be?
Beepus: I’d choose invisibility—to sneak around and be mischievous. Colton would have super strength.
Bardo would be a mind reader. And Colie… he’d turn into a pigeon. He loves pigeons.
SR: Why pigeons?
BSD: He says they’re misunderstood.
SR: If you had to switch roles on stage during a concert, who would play what?
BSD: I’d take the drums, Colie would play guitar, Colton would sing, and Bardo would be on bass.
SR: Thank you for your time. The New album “Where Did all the butterflies goes?” is available!
