Feature / One Question Interviews
Gus Englehorn

Words: Loren • September 26, 2022

Gus Englehorn
Gus Englehorn

Gus Englehorn

SPB: Assuming the album name, Dungeon Master, is a D&D allusion: what is your favorite pop-culture reference during the recent D&D revival?

Englehorn: I got the name for the album from this guy who came up to me after a show I played. He told me that my lyrics reminded him of playing Dungeons and Dragons. He said it seemed like I was the Dungeon Master up on the stage leading the audience through a quest. I have been a fan of fantasy since I can remember. I pretty much spent my whole childhood in Alaska and Hawaii playing in the forest and jungle with my brother pretending we were wizards but strangely I had never played D&D until last week. And man, it was a blast. I grew up playing video games like The Heroes of Might And Magic. I still play Heroes Three to this day and playing Dungeons and Dragons really made me realize how big of an influence it has been on so many of the games I love. 

But to answer your question, I guess the only pop culture reference I know of in the D&D revival would be Stranger Things, which I really love. So that’s the only one I know of and my favorite.

Loren • September 26, 2022

photo by Estee Preda

Gus Englehorn
Gus Englehorn

Related features

The Boys

Interviews • February 22, 2026

The Boys were perhaps one of the most underrated bands to ride the crest of the first wave of UK punk. Formed in London in 1976, they stood out from their peers with astute musicianship, melodic hooks, and clever lyrics. While bands like the Sex Pistols were focused on cash … Read more

The Darts – Tour Talk

Interviews • February 22, 2026

The Darts have a busy year ahead. First, they will release the brand new full-length Halloween Love Songs on March 3 (Meow Hiss Music). Then the band hits the road – France in March-April, then much of the US in May-June. They are also booking dates in the EUK, Australia, … Read more

Noise Real Records

Interviews • February 9, 2026

Noise Real Records recently released Noise Pollution Volume 1, a limited run 7" that features two new versions of "The Recluse" by Cursive. The new series will continue this revision theme as we move forward. Founded in 2021 by two long-time friends from California's Central Valley, the label is focused … Read more

Verböten

Interviews • February 9, 2026

ver·bo·ten adjective forbidden, especially by an authority. Verböten was formed in 1982 by a bunch of kids aged 10 to 14 years old, soon opening for Chicago's finest punk bands. Thanks to Dave Grohl's HBO series and best-selling book, mentioning Verböten led to opportunities to play Riot Fest and the … Read more

Time Thieves

One Question Interviews • February 4, 2026

Time Thieves SPB: While you’ve all played in punk bands Time Thieves is in the power-pop realm. What is a personal favorite album you feel is overlooked in the genre? Annie: Teenage Heartbreak (1980) by Sorrows. Heard it with a friend for the first time just a few months ago … Read more

More from this section

Time Thieves

One Question Interviews • February 4, 2026

Time Thieves SPB: While you’ve all played in punk bands Time Thieves is in the power-pop realm. What is a personal favorite album you feel is overlooked in the genre? Annie: Teenage Heartbreak (1980) by Sorrows. Heard it with a friend for the first time just a few months ago … Read more

Dauber

One Question Interviews • February 3, 2026

Mike (Dauber) SPB: What was the first album you ever bought? Mike: I'm not quite certain what the first album I ever bought was, probably Dookie or Smash. What I can remember is the first time I ever went to the legendary Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ (RIP). I had … Read more

Ian Glasper

One Question Interviews • February 2, 2026

Ian Glasper (A Country Fit For Heroes : DIY Punk in Eighties Britain) SPB: What was the first punk show you saw and do you remember how it inspired you at the time? Glasper: I'm not sure which was the very, very first punk gig I went to, because it's … Read more