Sleeping My Day Away

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "Sleeping My Day Away" by D-A-D, a standout from their 1989 album No Fuel Left for the Pilgrims, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its hard rock energy. This song, an ode to late risers, was born in a burst of creativity at bassist Stig Pedersen’s summer house, where the band lived nocturnally, often waking in the late afternoon. According to frontman Jesper Binzer in a 2010 Rock Hard interview, the song’s intro riff came from guitarist Jacob Binzer, while Stig scribbled the lyric “From the pale lips of a youth who lay, I’m sleeping my day away” on a tissue, inspired by their late-night lifestyle. The track drew partial inspiration from the pop hit “Big Bang” by Cheetah, blending that influence with D-A-D’s raw, humorous hard rock style. Its music video, directed by Andy Morahan, gained heavy MTV rotation, boosting its global reach, and the song spent two weeks on the UK Top 100, peaking at #87.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s enduring live presence. Jesper Binzer noted in the same Rock Hard interview that the band keeps “Sleeping My Day Away” fresh by improvising on stage, ensuring it never feels repetitive despite being a staple in their setlists. The song’s success helped propel No Fuel Left for the Pilgrims to sell 600,000 copies worldwide, including 275,000 in Denmark alone, a massive feat for a Danish band. A 2019 Reddit post by a fan highlighted how the track marked D-A-D’s shift from their earlier “cowpunk” roots to a purer hard rock sound, cementing its status as a fan favorite. Even today, posts on X from fans like @HBBasement lament that the song and album didn’t achieve the massive success they deserved, calling it a missed hair metal classic.

D-A-D began in Copenhagen in 1982 as Disneyland After Dark, founded by Jesper Binzer (vocals/guitar), Stig Pedersen (bass), and Peter Lundholm Jensen (drums). Jesper’s younger brother, Jacob Binzer, joined as lead guitarist in 1984, solidifying the core lineup. Their early sound, as described on Last.fm, was a unique “cowpunk” blend—simple basslines, catchy guitar riffs, and humorous, country-tinged storytelling. Their 1986 debut, Call of the Wild, won over local country fans, though the band leaned into the irony rather than embracing the genre fully. Legal pressure from The Walt Disney Company forced the name change to D-A-D before their international breakthrough with No Fuel Left for the Pilgrims. The band’s theatrical live shows, featuring Stig’s wild costumes and two-string bass, became legendary, earning them a cult following and headlining slots at festivals like Roskilde.

Today, fans can connect with D-A-D through their official website, where they share tour dates and news about their latest album, Speed of Darkness, released in 2024. Their social media presence is active on Facebook, Instagram, and X, offering glimpses of live performances and behind-the-scenes moments. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The D-A-D (Disneyland After Dark) Facebook group is a hub for fans to share memories and discuss the band’s legacy, while Rate Your Music hosts detailed discography reviews and fan ratings, reflecting D-A-D’s enduring impact in hard rock circles.