Let’s Talk About It: Chris Cappaulli of Dads On Couches

In this installment I talk to Chris Cappaulli about the Michigan punk scene, inclusivity at gigs, writing fun songs about dark subjects, and the punk-rock-to-dad pipeline.

Q: Tell us about the band! How did it start, what have you been up to? What’s the punk scene like in MI?

In 2023, Dr. Nick, Mitch, and I (Cappaulli) discussed starting a three-piece punk band.  At the time, Dr. Nick was our bassist and a singer, Mitch was our guitarist, and I was our drummer and the other singer.  If I remember correctly, Dr. Nick suggested Ellipsis, which became our first band name.  We loved the idea of using the three dots (…) for designs.

On February 24, 2024, after roster changes and other circumstances, we settled with a new name Dads On Couches because we felt it fit our personalities better considering we are goofy couch dads.  Also, the first letter of each word in the band’s name spells “DOC,” a tribute to Nick’s doctoral status.  Since February 2024, we’ve gone through some roster changes, including my promotion to frontman and lead-singer.

The punk and ska scene in Michigan has been accommodating tous, specifically in the Detroit area.  We’ve played shows in Hamtramck, Warren, and Hazel Park, and we have upcoming shows in Detroit for March and April.  Although not punk focused, Michigan Ska has embraced us too and, as a result, we’ve played with a healthy amount of ska bands, including Superdot, The Loyal, Sabon, Wipeout, and Ice Cream Militia.  

A huge part of this collaboration has to do with our strong connection to ska band The Boy Detective.  Not only are we huge fans of The Boy Detective, but also their frontman and lead-singer Benny isrelated to Dr. Nick and me.  Benny also happens to be Dr. Nick’s identical twin.  Would you believe that Dads On Couches and The Boy Detective share a practice space in my garage?  “Theme Song for an Ida Garage” by The Boy Detective is proof!

Q: How do you balance your role as a parent with your role as a punk musician?

Dads On Couches isn’t just a silly name; it’s also a proud title that we strive to live by.  For us, being a dad means being emotionally and physically present for our children.  As a result, we decided early on that family comes first.  Some show opportunities were declinedbecause of prior family commitments, such as school functions,birthday parties, or simply just spending much needed quality time during the holidays.  However, when we are not busy with family matters, we compensate by accepting as many invitations as possible and delivering fantastic performances.  Now when the planets align just right, we get the best of both worlds by performingat “family friendly” shows, such as Glimmer Gala, Witchy Woods, and Jingle Bell Rockout, which are all safer and more appropriate events for our children. Not going to lie, it’s always a proud dad moment for me when my children are dancing and singing along to our music.

Q: PRSL has a mission of mental health support. Do you think we’re doing a good job? What could we do better?

Back in January 2026, I was chosen for PRSL Fan Fridays and answered similar questions about your organization.  I said…

“At several punk rock and ska concerts, I have visited the Punk Rock Saves Lives (PRSL) booth.  In addition to providing mental health information and offering harm reduction supplies (Narcan, earplugs, condoms, etc.), they recruit eligible individuals to sign up for the bone marrow registry,  I actually did that at Splish Splash Bash 2024! Its crew swabbed the inside of my cheeks so that I could be a potential match for fighting blood cancers and disorders.

PRSL, not your everyday nonprofit, are, in fact, a collective of unapologetically amazing individuals fighting for their community’s mental health.  If you are reading this and have never heard of PRSL, I encourage you to reach out to your local chapter at shows and/or via social media.  If you want to fight for a good cause, volunteer!  It’s worth your time and effort.  PRSL truly fights for better physical and mental health while supporting subcultural music that fights social injustice.  Let’s fight the good fight with Punk Rock Saves Lives!”

Q: You released your first EP, “After Two Years of Grinding All We Have Are These Measly Demos”, last June. I laughed at the title for a solid minute, but the songs definitely carry weight. I find it deeply relatable, especially LFA (mine is actually medium-high today). What was the songwriting process like? Did you decide you were going to tackle mental health and the state of the world, or did that just happen?

We have been called oxymoronic, which I think is appropriate.  To your point, you spent a solid minute laughing at our ridiculous EP title, but I bet you had no idea the stories you were about to hear would be so heavy.  For example, take “Idolatry,” a song that gives off fun 80s vibes but also shares a dark tale about a nightmarish infatuation.  Or what about the unfortunate soul who is pleading for mercy in “Enfeeble (Don’t Take It Away),” which also sounds like a familiar 50’s doo-wop ballad?  Using duality, we can mask dark themes with bright instrumentation; this makes our songs complex and clever.  You do not get what you expect from Dads On Couches, and I think that makes us unique.

Q: Punk has historically not been super accepting of women, queer people, and minorities. Do you think that is changing? What (if any) responsibility do you feel as a performer to create a more inclusive space?

I do believe that punk is more inclusive today but unfortunately, there are still bands that are going to end up on the wrong side of history.  For me, punk is supposed to be about “fighting the good fight” and rooting for the underdogs.  In my opinion, society has an obligation to continue to evolve and strive to do better than our problematic ancestors.  And it’s as simple as celebrating and supporting all forms of diversity, which takes zero effort to achieve.  “Love is stronger than hate” is not a cliché; it’s poetic truth.

I am an ally onstage and offstage. Being a performer offers a larger platform to spread love and inclusivity, which is truly a blessing.  Trust me, I have more than enough room at my table for everyone.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend Dads On Couches performances, period.  At my shows, my hope is that everyone has a wonderful time while feeling safe and comfortable.

Q: I’m curious about the Dad-to-punk-rock pipeline. Or was it the punk-rock-to-dad pipeline? Have you always been musicians? How did you decide that now was the time for the band?

Dr. Nick, Mitch, and I, sometimes referred to as “the tripod”, were musicians before we were dads.  In the early 2000s, Dr. Nick, Mitch, and I were in horror punk band, Spaghetti Zombies. Shortly after Spaghetti Zombies disbanded, Dr. Nick and I, along with brother Benny, started a family punk band, Capaul.  There were also overlapping years when I was briefly in bands, Come On!  and Chicago Style with Mitch.  As a result of these past bands, the tripod was getting hungry for something new, thus leading to conversations about a new project.

Q: if you could play with anyone, who would it be and why?

I would have loved to share a stage with NOFX before they retired.  Fat Mike is one of the handful of musicians who helped me find my voice. His use of harmonies, nasally vocal style, and his clever lyrics that address social injustice and political satire inspired my own style. Both of us are baritones, and I also have a loud and energetic persona like him. I was crushed when they announced that they were giving up the ghost.

Another band I’d be thrilled to perform alongside is The Misfits, but specifically a lineup with Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein playing together at the same time.  A fun fact, in Capaul, we opened for The Misfits twice, the first time at Headliners in Toledo, Ohio, and the second time was at Harpo’s in Detroit, Michigan.  Both shows were missing Glenn Danzig and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, which was a bummer.

Q: What’s next for Dads on couches? Any chance of you heading East anytime soon?

We are planning on recording a new EP with Eric Abbey of Abbey Productions this coming March.  We haven’t decided on an official launch date or title for the EP, but Independence Day 2026 has been discussed since we released our previous EP “After Two Years OfGrinding, All We Have Are These Measly Demos” on Independence Day last year.

Heading East would be groovy but difficult to swing considering the financial and scheduling commitments involved.  Not saying it’s impossible, but it’s not on our radar for 2026.  If we were to head East, any recommendations on where to or who to play with would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

From their sofas to your speakers, Dads On Couches is the hottest new thing since propane griddles!  Hailing from Monroe County, MI, this fatherly fivesome incorporates dynamic vocals, melodic hooks, complex lyrics, and high-energy performances.  With Dads On Couches, every day is Father’s Day!  Their current musical lineup is comprised of a Funeral Professional (Cappaulli), a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Dr. Nick), a Surfer (The Cincinnati Kid), an Operating Engineer (Gage), and an Account Manager (Tim).  Dads On Couches is truly “dad to the bone!”

SOCIALS:

https://www.facebook.com/dadsoncouches/ (Facebook)

https://www.instagram.com/dads_on_couches/ (Instagram)

https://www.tiktok.com/@dads.on.couches (TikTok)

https://www.youtube.com/@DadsOnCouches (YouTube)

UPCOMING GIGS:

Friday March 20, 2026 @ Corktown Tavern (Detroit, MI)

Wednesday April 29, 2026 @ Paris Bar (Detroit, MI)

Saturday July 11, 2026 @ Splish Splash Bash 2026 (Hazel Park, MI)

Saturday October 10, 2026 @ TBD

Friday December 4, 2026 @ Jingle Bell Rockout 2026 (Ida, MI)