Ryan Young and crew have just unleashed a new Off With Their Heads album on the masses, their second via Epitaph Records. While at first listen Home may seem more polished than previous efforts, it is just as rough and gritty, with Young’s trademark gruff vocals and brutal lyrics accented by fast, almost upbeat music.

We were able to ask Ryan a handful of questions about the new record and the band’s 2013 SXSW stint.

Where are you playing during SXSW, and who are you playing with? What bands are you excited to check out at the festival?

I don’t even know. SXSW is not really a festival that I’m excited to do. We have a new record out, so it’s good for me and my bandmates to go and do it and drink with promoters and press people. That’s it. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I have them buy me a shot and bail. There isn’t really anything special about SXSW — it’s just a bunch of bands fighting for the most attention. Sort of like some kind of cool kid-sanctioned battle of the bands. But whatever. Epitaph people will be there, credit card in hand. I always like that.

How many previous SXSW festivals have you played? Do you have any great stories from previous SXSW shows or parties?

I think this will be the third time we’ve been down there. I wish I had a good story, but there really isn’t one. I went to a PF Chang’s once. That was pretty sweet.

You recorded your new album, Home, with Bill Stevenson. Apparently he kept telling you that “You’re the worst singer I’ve ever heard in my life,” — do you think that made you step up your game to do better, or did it make you just feel bitter?

The quote was, “Our studio isn’t used to having to deal with such out of key vocals.” I think when it came to that, we just had to keep doing it until it was good enough. I’ve never prided myself on being a great singer, because I’m not. Bill pushed me really hard the whole time, and it was worth it. I’ve never met anyone like that dude before.

What prompted you to re-record “Janie” for the new album?

We usually record a couple seven-inch songs for the full-lengths. Zack [Gontard] and I always wanted to re-record that song, so we went with it. I like it. It’s one of the old ones that we still play all the time.

How’d you get access to a wintertime theme park for the “Seek Advice Elsewhere” music video?

Ryan Murphy (who did Harvest of Hope and helps with The Fest) is the manager of the park. He told Andrew that if he wanted to make a video there, we could have access to it after it was closed. I was sick as a dog the entire time. Watch it again and keep in mind that I was super miserable. It makes it funnier.

“I don’t do what I do because I think it’s fun/it never helps, it turns me into my father’s son.” These lyrics seem to be something a lot of men could relate to, especially as they get older and see things about themselves that are the same traits they hated in their father…but what is the significance to you?

That line is about drinking and taking drugs. My father does neither, but is a selfish, angry dickhead who treats people poorly. It’s about how I try to not be like that via the booze and whatever else (which is clearly stupid and doesn’t work) and wind up being exactly what I hate. It’s also about how I don’t even really enjoy drinking; I just do it because of anxiety. I suck.

Where are you headed after SXSW? Are you planning to tour throughout 2013?

West coast. We haven’t been to some of those places in a couple years and wanted to hit them right out of the gate for Home. We’ll be doing what we do for the rest of the year.