Singer Dominic Moulin and drummer Marshall Kadlec, the self-described "two-piece trash can" duo Idle Freaks, both grew up with music, but in very different ways. Moulin was exposed to the heavy influences of rock and roll in Tennessee, while Kadlec jammed out to Guitar Hero 3 and the drumming of his father and stepfather in Nebraska.
"Between Marshall and I, we both arrived at the same point, but we just started in completely different areas," Moulin says. Eventually, their experience with rock music led to a love for grunge and "heavier stuff," and Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin and Rush continue to inspire the two musicians today.
When Moulin and Kadlec began performing in Denver, they were with different bands, but both noticed a lack of classic rock staples such as crowd surfing and friendly moshing in the local scene. At the time, Kadlec had a fascination with two-piece bands like the Black Keys, and after witnessing Moulin playing the baritone guitar at a show, he began to brainstorm what the drums could bring to that instrument.
"You have to play the song really good, but you also have to perform it," Kadlec says. "I was just getting really tired of watching people play their instrument instead of throwing it or throwing themselves off the stage."
When both musicians were on hiatus from their bands, Kadlec decided to create his own two-piece and reached out to Moulin. As a vocalist, soloist, guitarist and bassist, he complemented Kadlec's drumming easily. The duo came together as Idle Threat in January 2023, with the act's first show at Larimer Lounge just two months later.
Stops in Illinois, New York and Arkansas followed before a break in the middle of 2024 to "focus on our other bands and do a big tour," Moulin says. When Moulin and Kadlec came back together at the end of 2024, they changed their band's moniker to Idle Freaks, since a Nashville-based rock-and-roll band was going by Idle Threat.
"We were well aware when we started it, we're just going to try and see if we can beat them to the race," Kadlec admits. "When we were in our other bands and went on the tour, we went to Nashville and saw that they were pretty well known. So we were like, 'Okay, we probably should change the name.'"
The new name came from one of Kadlec's friends, who called the two musicians "Idle Freaks" as a joke. But they decided to go with it: From a sexual innuendo that's "happening in this generation" to freak shows filled with clowns and jesters, there are many ways the name can be interpreted, Kadlec says.
"Some people hate it; they actually liked the old name better," he notes. "But some people love it. That makes me appreciate the name more."
In March, Idle Freaks went back on the road for shows across Colorado and Nebraska; the act also released tracks like "tillyloss scandal," "fight or flight" and "fools paradise," which showed the band's range. The video for "roadhead" features Moulin capturing rock-star energy through bass and vocals while Kadlec drums away on a moving truck or vibes out to the track in the Nebraska farmlands. As the video progresses, Moulin tries jumping on that truck and busts open his head. "I did crack a rib, but I am well now," Moulin says. "We're back to 100 percent; it only took two months."
As Idle Threat, the act has been working on a debut album, Freak Show. Most of the recordings were either jam sessions or part of the act's setlist while performing; the two-piece was supported by Ben Pisano of four-piece indie rock band Corsicana in mixing and mastering the nine-track album.
After what Kadlec calls a "long haul," Idle Freaks is ready to release that album on Saturday, August 23, at a special show at Garage Sale Vintage with Black Pontiac and Utah-based rock group Sunfish. Those two acts were going on tour and wanted to add a few more stops (Black Pontiac was suddenly getting 280,000 monthly listeners); friends in Sunfish contacted Moulin, who got in touch with Emily Knight, general manager of Garage Sale Vintage.
"The whole branding just carries across so well with all the bands that are playing the night," Moulin says. "I think it just worked out and in a very surprising way."
Today, August 18, Idle Freaks announced the Freakshow Tour, which will make 11 stops in Western states like California, Nevada and New Mexico throughout the fall season. As the band prepare to take their talents back on the road, Idle Freaks want locals to "show up and have fun" with their friends at Larimer Square.
"It's the end of summer, it's a Saturday, it's free," Moulin adds. "Come celebrate the end of summer with all of us. Let's get freaky."
Idle Freaks, Black Pontiac and Sunfish, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 23, Garage Sale Vintage, 1445 Larimer Street; the show is free.
In March, Idle Freaks went back on the road for shows across Colorado and Nebraska; the act also released tracks like "tillyloss scandal," "fight or flight" and "fools paradise," which showed the band's range. The video for "roadhead" features Moulin capturing rock-star energy through bass and vocals while Kadlec drums away on a moving truck or vibes out to the track in the Nebraska farmlands. As the video progresses, Moulin tries jumping on that truck and busts open his head. "I did crack a rib, but I am well now," Moulin says. "We're back to 100 percent; it only took two months."
As Idle Threat, the act has been working on a debut album, Freak Show. Most of the recordings were either jam sessions or part of the act's setlist while performing; the two-piece was supported by Ben Pisano of four-piece indie rock band Corsicana in mixing and mastering the nine-track album.
After what Kadlec calls a "long haul," Idle Freaks is ready to release that album on Saturday, August 23, at a special show at Garage Sale Vintage with Black Pontiac and Utah-based rock group Sunfish. Those two acts were going on tour and wanted to add a few more stops (Black Pontiac was suddenly getting 280,000 monthly listeners); friends in Sunfish contacted Moulin, who got in touch with Emily Knight, general manager of Garage Sale Vintage.
"The whole branding just carries across so well with all the bands that are playing the night," Moulin says. "I think it just worked out and in a very surprising way."
Today, August 18, Idle Freaks announced the Freakshow Tour, which will make 11 stops in Western states like California, Nevada and New Mexico throughout the fall season. As the band prepare to take their talents back on the road, Idle Freaks want locals to "show up and have fun" with their friends at Larimer Square.
"It's the end of summer, it's a Saturday, it's free," Moulin adds. "Come celebrate the end of summer with all of us. Let's get freaky."
Idle Freaks, Black Pontiac and Sunfish, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 23, Garage Sale Vintage, 1445 Larimer Street; the show is free.
