Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be in a band. I hate making excuses but having SMA and using an electric wheelchair has made it hard for my dream band to take form. In addition to being plagued with unreliable transport, I physically can’t play many instruments and the few I dabble with I’m not dexterous enough to be very good at. What I can do and have done in the meantime is make art and support bands and spaces I love as much as possible. The title Skitchin’ comes in part from the Sega Genesis game, but mostly from when my brother, cousin, and friends would skate and skitch the back of my wheelchair when we were kids and we felt like the kings of the world. This fanzine is an extension of my being part of something important and supporting things I love. Skitchin’ forever -Ty. PS, if anyone wants to start a non-touring cripple-fronted pop-punk band, hit me up.
Thank you for picking up a copy of Skitchin'! This zine is a project that Tyler and I have wanted to realize for a quite a while. This is our second attempt, actually. With a few more skills and resources and a more positive ambition, we decided it was time to try again. So we set out with a name that meant something in a personal way. "Skitchin'" in part because, I mean c'mon, it's a sweet name! and without finding a place to fit in it's easy to get lost. The music and art community, local or not, provides a great structure for that and we wanted to contribute a small offering to something that’s been a home for us. You pull me along, we'll pull you. -Kristopher
--Please introduce yourselves and talk a little bit about how Bong Mountain came together.
We are a shower-pop band from Grand Rapids, MI. Matt plays drums. Adam plays bass. Alex plays guitar. Chris takes naps. MATT: Alex and I were trying to form a new band after our old band died out. I asked Adam to join in after seeing him play bass in a Pinhead Gunpowder cover band. We got together a few times and made a bunch of racket in the basement of the house where Chris and I live. A short time later Chris finally mustered up the courage to catch-up with us and let us play music- he got out of his room came downstairs and sandwiched himself into the practice space after he decided I wasn't that bad at drums anymore. After we practised our buns off we wrote our first 5 song EP “You're Doin' Great!”. --Kristopher and I were big, big fans of Cain Marko and seen them play a whole bunch of times. Seriously, he still wears a Cain Marko t-shirt like every day of his life. It’s sad. He also once saw Kindred Spirits play with La Dispute back in ‘06. So what other bands have you guys previously been in? Do any of you have side projects? CHRIS: I miss Cain Marko too and I really appreciate the love. If I remember, that Kindred Spirits show also included an old joke band of ours called The Monks of Hate for which I played drums. I don’t play drums. I was also in a band called Low Cloud which I miss a lot. Adam & I have a side project called Minkus that hasn’t started playing shows yet, but we will soon (first show is May 7 at Camp H).
ALEX: This is the Year, Birdlord MATT: This is the Year, Cain Marko's hype man ADAM: Playground Fistfight, Hot Biscuit, Minkus --Who wrote “The Legend Of Bong Mountain?” The first time I seen you live, I remember a dude reading it to the audience before your set and knowing that we were all in for a treat. ADAM- It came to me one day while I was smoking a joint in the shower. We used to have our friend Andy read it before our shows but we're too lazy now. There is a recorded version of it on the You’re Doin’ Great! cassette tape. --From the venues to the bands, the music scene in GR is absolutely popping right now and I’m in love with it all. What are some of your favorite Michigan bands that we and other people should know about? BNG/MTN: The Lippies, Murder Party, Little American Champ, The Shortlife, Bike Tuff, The Cardboard Swords, Oliver Houston, Running Shoes, Coffin Problem, Jes Kramer, Flushed, JOE, Cheapshow, I Believe in Julio, Guppy, Lawnmower, Monkey Robot War, The Freight Bandits, Lloyd Braun. --What are some of your favorite places to play locally and out of town? BNG/MTN: Pyramid Scheme, Death House, Fuller House (RIP), The Pontiac Silverdome, our hometown bar Mulligan's Out of town: Shakespeares(Kzoo), Mac's Bar(Lansing), The People's Warehouse (Pittsburgh- RIP :( ), that place in Detroit that paid us like 300$ or something(we LOVES money). Generally Canada is pretty cool. --So you’re playing Pouzza Fest up in Montreal this May. That’s so cool. There’s a ton of great bands playing. Who are you most excited to see and share the stage with?
MATT: Junior Battles, Lemuria,The Planet Smashers, Big D & the Kids Table, Full Of Hell, Bike Tuff, The Penske File, The Slow Death, Typesetter, I don’t know who Fucko is yet but that’s the best band name I’ve heard in awhile. ADAM: Bike Tuff, Typesetter, The Lippies, The Penske File, The Copyrights, The Cardboard Swords, Ray Rocket, Less Than Jake, Jonathon Becker, Dead Weights, Dead To Me, Frank And Earnest(Chris will be playing guitar with them), Jabber, Junior Battles. ALEX: What everyone else said, also I want to eat some dank charcuterie. --You had your first tour last summer (2015). What was that like? Tell us some stories from the road. And are you thinking of hitting the road again soon? Also take me with you. It was the good of times. It was the bad of times. We came, we saw, we did okay. You're doin' great. MATT: The good times? They all stem from the four of us hanging out too much and being slap happy and delirious and laughing way too much. I can’t wait to get back on the road to do it all over again. The bad times? Philadelphia your parking sucks shit! Get it together! Also in Cincinatti, Chris went up to go to the bathroom while we were watching Mallrats and eating free pizza and some guy just decided to lay down on Chris' sleeping bag and fell asleep. Chris was no longer sleeping on a sleeping bag. ADAM: This was my first tour and I had the absolute best time. Highlights include: not getting pulled over by a State Cop in Flint while driving to get Vehicle City Tacos (I was on probation at the time), eating Vehicle City Tacos, staying a night at Matt’s grandma’s house, sliding down a waterfall somewhere in Pennsylvania, playing a battle set in Pittsburgh, my sister Mel coming from Vermont to the show in Philly, vegan pizza and seeing Independence Hall in Philly, staying with Emma and Austin in the rolling green hills outside Roanoke, VA, taking mushrooms and having a sweat-lodge type experience in the back of the van while stuck in a freeway traffic jam on a 90+ degree day, free pizza in Cincinnati, meeting tons of cool people and cool bands, and getting to play our songs for so many smiling faces. Overall that tour was the best of times with the best of buds, including my cat Eddy who mainly took naps with Chris in the back of the van. Although Eddy did come into a house that we played in Roanoke, VA because it was like a million degrees outside and their house was air-conditioned. We crashed at this house in Pittsburgh and I woke up in the morning to someone asking me to move the van so they could go to work. When I went to the move the van it wouldn’t start, so I ran back in the house and woke Chris and Matt up to help push the van (Alex had been sleeping in the van so he was already up) The driveway of this house was right next to a freeway off ramp so we had to push the van into morning rush hour traffic so this person could go to work and .then push
the van back into their driveway. A jump start, trip to Autozone, and a new battery later and we were back on the road. Also, I tried to park the van in a parking ramp in Philly but the van was too tall and I ended smashing the roof top vent off. It was later duct-taped into place to keep the rain out.We’ll be hitting the road for about ten days in May touring to and from Pouzza Fest.
--I went to a skating party one time in 5th grade and thought for sure I’d sit out the couple’s skate, but my friend Tiana “took me in a circle by the hand” and made me feel all warm inside. It was great. So basically who is Davina?! Cause she seems awesome and that song (“Why You So Short?!”) reminds me of my childhood friend, Tiana. CHRIS: I wrote the lyrics for that song after my brother had found his 7th grade yearbook and was kinda bummed ‘cause a lot of his classmates had written some pretty mean stuff. Only a few people had written kind and encouraging words, one of which was this girl Davina. She was the “popular” girl in school but she was kind and nonjudgmental. “Why you so short?” was an inside joke between her and my brother, and was part of her yearbook note. Even though I really didn’t know her, the idea of how these small kindnesses can really affect someone’s life struck a chord with me. She kind of represents a bunch of people in my life that have been kind to me when they really had nothing to gain from it and though they might not think that it’s a big deal, it has a lasting positive impact. --Pretty much every song of yours gets me extra nostalgic. It all feels super personal. Was that an intention of yours in the writing process?
CHRIS: I guess when I’m writing lyrics it is pretty personal. I don’t always know exactly what my intentions are going to be when I start a song, but I usually only use lyrics that hit home and make me feel like I’m getting something out that I couldn’t in another format like daily conversation. A lot of times I write things that I feel like I need to personally hear and remember when I’m feeling shitty or when I start getting apathetic and lazy (which is often). Really, I just write words that make me feel good even if it’s because I’m getting something out that’s been getting me down. Also, this all might be bullshit because I haven’t really thought about it that much. --I really, really love Carmen’s voice and it was awesome to see her perform with you before. Will we hear her again on any of the new songs? She's on a few of the new songs that may or may not exist. CHRIS: We love her voice too!!! She’s on 2 of the 4 newest ones we have, one of which she sings harmony through the whole thing. --Once you’re all rich and famous and after you buy Rick his minivan, will you buy me one too? Jk, jk. But really, mine is falling apart. CHRIS: Well, I think I owe Rick like 15 minivans now. He adds an extra one for every show he’s at. But you’re next in line. --Speaking of Rick Johnson, you recorded the EP at his place, Cold War Studios. What was it like working with a local legend like him? He seems like the coolest dude. Dude he's so fucking good at Tetris. CHRIS: The minivan is actually for my brother Rick. Rick Johnson can buy his own minivan, he’s got that Mustard Plug money. But seriously, working with Rick Johnson is the best. He is the coolest dude and he makes the recording experience super comfortable and fun. But, to reiterate, I’m not buying him any vehicles. Matt: I love working with Rick Johnson- if you mess up a take you get that “...Yeaaaaah try it again” in your headphones. I also get to hangout with Rick as I do merch for Mustard Plug and I love that he’s an avid pinball player so we get into some pretty heated matches on the road- less so heated in the competitive manner but in the “oh that was bullshit (of the game)” manner. He’s definitely beat me more times than I’ve beat him. just sit down and track vocals, because I'm ridiculous and finishing this thing that I really loved was such a nerve-wracking thought.
--And speaking of the EP, who did the album art? It’s freaking hilarious and perfect. ADAM: I did the cover art. Thank you. --If I have another party this summer, in addition to unlimited tacos and beer, how much would I owe you to play my backyard? For real. BNG/MTN: Yes. Absolutely. --What are some of your favorite pizza places? And what are your go-to pizza toppings? MATT: Cult Pizza (I refuse to call it the pizza experiment because that is the dumbest name)*, Brick Road Pizza, The Mitten, Blackbird Pizza in Philadelphia (It’s Phillies only redeeming quality at this point)...basically anywhere that has vegan pizza. ALEX: Gino’s Eastown or homemade. ADAM: Gino’s in Eastown, Tomato, Black Olive, and Pineapple. Plus garlic bread with cheese and two sides of sauce. CHRIS: Gino’s Pizza on wealthy. Anything with pineapple. -Do you guys have a timeline/plan for new tunes that you’re willing to share? BNG/MTN: We recorded four new songs at the end of 2015/beginning of 2016. Those songs will be coming out on cassette tape real soon. Two of the songs will be on a split with our Canadian brothers Junior Battles and two will be on a four band split with Protected Left (Oakland, Ca homies), Bluff Called (Oakland, Ca), and Frank and Earnest (Michigan buds). We are also in the process of making a video for one of the new songs. --What do we have to do to get a full album of vocalized guitar solos? CHRIS: Get us drunk and rent studio time. That’s about it. --Thank you for taking the time to answer some Q’s for us. We love you all to death and can’t wait to see what you come up with next. heart emoticon
*Seriously, you can't have a name better than Cult Pizza. ■
Ok, so I know you’ve got your hands on a lot of projects, but let’s start with your solo music as Charlie Darling. I think it’s really great. Where did you record your EP, Quorom Sensing? And what is the recording process like for you?
Well, funny story is that I recorded all of it in my bedroom. It’s all really lo-fi due to how simple I keep the process, and I enjoy the unique sound I can create. Bunny was the only song recorded previously. The other 3 songs (Germs, Look, Valentine’s Day) were done on a hazy Sunday. I record the rhythm guitar first, vocals second, then just adding anything from there. In addition to your voice, you can hear a couple different instruments on the recordings. Is that all you? With my recording process, I’ve done all of the other tracks on each song. Growing up playing cello in school, it taught me music theory and trained my tonality skills. I am very grateful for this. I generally understand and can play most other instruments. Can’t say I’m necessarily great at each, but it’s just fun to be able to mess around with them. To be honest, Quorom Sensing was my introduction to your music, but I know there’s been more in the past. Talk about where you started in music and how you got to where you are today. I started writing poems when I was in Middle School, and never really understood how to match music with it until after High School. I was in
Orchestra throughout school, and Choir during High School. As soon as I graduated High School, I started creating my first real songs. I whipped out tons of them, once I understood how. Some I still play to this day, but they have evolved over time. I’m always trying to create new songs, when I can. What are some of your musical influences? Anyone that might come as a surprise? Some bands I really enjoy are Coldplay, Gorillaz, Timber Timbre, Built to Spill, Cat Power, The Killers, Billie Holiday, and Thee Oh Sees. Growing up with the classical music background, it has made me appreciate most kinds of music. What I listen to depends on my mood, but it’s usually more relaxed. How fun was it to play Bucket O’ Blood Books & Records in Chicago? Do you plan to play more shows out of town this year? I had a blast playing that show! All of the other acts were extremely talented, and genuine. It always makes the show when the other attendees and acts are solid people. The other acts were L.Mounts, Anthony Sanders (of The Island of Misfit Toys,) Hey!Rabbit, and Turnspit. They were all from Chicago, and they were very supportive. I’d love to see any of them again. I’ve been playing a couple out of town shows, and they’ve all been really great. I hope to continue doing that when I can. I’d say one of my favorite out of town places I’ve played would be Motel Hell in Kalamazoo. Hannah, who runs that, is an angel. Aren’t you pretty connected with Camp H skatepark? It’s an amazing place and I love what they’re doing for local music, art, and the youth. What’s your role there? Camp H is one of the best places you will ever go. All of the people who work there and attend the place regularly are some of the coolest people. They’ve got a great thing going on, being an all aged indoor skate park / venue. You’re trapped in a kitchen, an attacker is headed toward you. What kitchen item do you choose to defend yourself?
I help out there whenever I can with booking and promoting. You can find them on Facebook to keep updated with all of the rad shows they have going on! Please tell us about Atmospheric Promotions, how it started, and where it’s going. Atmospheric Promotions is a booking/promotions agency I started the first day of 2015. I just thought, “I want to put shows together and help people out.” So this was my way of doing it. I’ve put together countless shows around Grand Rapids, and will continue doing so. It’s all run by me, as of now. AP has slowly been evolving into a record label that I hope will soon be ready to fully announce. It will include bookings, promotions, merchandise handling, recording, and distribution for bands. I’m really excited about it. I’ve asked some people to help me out with different things. Now I have certain people for designing, recording, and written media. These people are Zack Godi, of Dead Eye Zack; Don Carlisle, of Bet on Rats; and Ben Steer, of The Zannies. All great guys, and I’m very excited to be working with them. Progress with the label has been delayed due to my own musical endeavors. I hope to have everything ready and announced this summer!
I love your take on individuality, being a “germ” and the way you talked about “starting an epidemic” on your recent appearance at WYCE Radio. It’s sort of political, but mostly about self-positivity, right? For those that might have missed it, would you mind touching on that subject again here? (Cont. On Pg 16)
Hey I’m Ty. I’m a 26 y/o weirdo from Grand Rapids MI. My high school art teacher hated me so I quit taking high school art classes after the ninth grade. Then I went to GVSU for art until I got sick of them telling me I didn’t do it the right way. Now I make art of all kinds that I like and people buy it so maybe I know what I’m doing. Maybe a little bit or maybe not. Either way, I have fun. I also like going to shows and reading a lot of books. Let’s hang. make fun of my art here - www.facebook.com/getsketchy talk to me about music and movies here - tmdykema@gmail.com We might talk about some of them in future issues but for now here are some people, places, and things we think you should check out: No/Breaks - https://nobreaks-mi.bandcamp.com/releases Hang Ten - https://hangten.bandcamp.com The Lippies - https://thelippies.bandcamp.com/releases Valedictorian - https://valedictorianmi.bandcamp.com/releases The Vulnerable - https://thevulnerable.bandcamp.com First Curse - https://www.facebook.com/FirstCurse/ Flamingo Nosebleed - https://flamingonosebleed.bandcamp.com Cardboard Swords - http://thecardboardswords.com Dakhma - https://dakhma.bandcamp.com Murder Party! - https://murder-party.bandcamp.com Oliver Houston - https://oliverhouston.bandcamp.com Control Group - https://controlgroup1.bandcamp.com/releases Peccant - https://peccant.bandcamp.com/releases Alien Dogs - https://soundcloud.com/thealiendogs Cashed Out - https://cashedout.bandcamp.com/releases Sleep Cheaters - https://sleepcheaters.bandcamp.com Discycle - https://discycle.bandcamp.com Peach faygeaux - https://peachfaygeaux.bandcamp.com/releases Worst Self - https://worstself.bandcamp.com/releases Five By Five - https://www.facebook.com/bandfivebyfive/?fref=ts Bet On Rats - https://betonrats.bandcamp.com/releases Dead Eye Zack - https://deadeyezack.bandcamp.com JOE - https://joe-gr.bandcamp.com/releases Hollywood Makeout - https://hollywoodmakeout.bandcamp.com/releases Camp H - http://skate.camphproductions.com The Pyramid Scheme - http://pyramidschemebar.com The Compound - https://www.facebook.com/thecompoundGR/ Crescent House - https://www.facebook.com/crescenthousegr/ Skeletunes - https://www.facebook.com/Skeletuneslounge/ Firehouse Art Space - Grand Rapids house venue The Sanctuary - https://www.facebook.com/sanctuarydetroit The Free Clinic - Kzoo house venue Merizon Studio - https://www.facebook.com/MerizonStudio Laughing At My Nightmare - http://laughingatmynightmare.com Safe Haven Ministries - http://safehavenministries.org
Well House - http://www.wellhousegr.org Independent Fries - http://www.independentfries.com Connor Feimster - http://www.connorfeimsterphoto.com Rayne Klar - https://www.facebook.com/rayneklarbandmerch/ Sweetie Thai - http://sweetiethai.com Lindo Mexico - http://www.lindomexicorestaurant.com Ken’s Fruit Market - http://www.kensfruitmarket.com *************************************************************************** I'm Kristopher, a 27 year old stay at home dad. I was My school's newspaper editor all through high school. I failed basic art because I talked too much. I like both rad and sad jams. Knola - knola.bandcamp.com Ame Solitare - amesolitairegr.bandcamp.com Shunkan - shunkan.bandcamp.com/album/honey-milk-and-blood Pity Sex - runforcoverrecords.bandcamp.com/album/white-hot-moon Radiator Hospital - radiatorhospital.bandcamp.com Cyberbully Mom Club - cbmcband.bandcamp.com Ghost Witch - ghostwitchdoom.bandcamp.com Cloud Rat - cloudrat.bandcamp.com/ Loner Chic - lonerchic.bandcamp.com Outer Spaces - outerspaces.bandcamp.com Boy Rex - theboyrex.bandcamp.com Tasseomancy - tasseomancy.bandcamp.com The Black Magic Family Band - mikebruno.bandcamp.com/album/a-magical-world-ofanimals-and-spirits Worst Case Ontario - worstcaseontario.bandcamp.com Sour Boy Bitter Girl - sourboybittergirl.bandcamp.com/album/songs-about-the-landscape Brother/Ghost - brotherghostband.bandcamp.com Insignificant Other - insignificantother.bandcamp.com Simona Morales - soundcloud.com/insignificantothersmokesweed Chill Corea – chillcorea.bandcamp.com Stars Hollow – starshollowia.bandcamp.com Division Avenue Arts Collective - thedaac.org/ Anonymous online therapy - 7cups.com To check out all of these bands,places, and things (which we hope you do!) Head to SKITCHINZINE.TUMBLR.COM for this list as clickable links!
Yes! It is somewhat political, but mostly about self-positivity. It’s ridiculous how people that are different are viewed to be “bad." With my song, Germ, it is talking about a couple of different things. It reaches out to feminism and selfpositivity. "I’m a germ in this existence, at least that's what they teach me. Quorum sensing at its finest..all together, we are defiance…” These opening lines are talking about when we are raised, it is engraved in our minds what is the right way, and what is the wrong. Quorum sensing is a scientific term talking about when bacteria (in this case) gather, they communicate with each other about the environment around them, and if they can attack an outside host. When I speak of this term in the song, it is referring to my hope that if enough people share the same idea, it will spread. The idea is that it is perfectly okay to be different. And just for good measure, what would you say is your favorite breakfast cereal of all time Oooooh, snap. I’d have to say Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Yum! ■
Would it be fair to say you’re a pretty musically active guy? You’ve usually got your hands in a lot of projects. I'm very active, but probably not very focused, seeing as I have so many fucking projects. Tell me about Don’t Do It, Neil. Where does the name originate? What drew you to making that style of music after making black metal for Batsheva? I actually began work on Don't do it, Neil before Batsheva, and there are a ton of scrapped and older songs that I never finished or put out for the project. The name is a reference to this character Neil from the movie Dead Poets Society, who (spoiler alert for those who haven't seen it) kills himself after his father doesn't allow him to pursue his dream of acting. It's obviously more complicated than just that—there's a whole plethora of issues between father and son there—but, regardless, I found myself really affected by Neil's suicide in the movie. Being bipolar, I've struggled a lot with depression and know that horrible feeling of wanting to kill yourself, so I found myself practically shouting at the screen, "Don't do it, Neil!" After working on Batsheva so much, I found myself drawn back to Don't do it, Neil, partly because I was bored with playing a character. For Batsheva, I wasn't Marc, I was Nephandus, and Nephandus is a fucked-up misanthrope who performs dark magic and wants everything to die. So, it was exhausting doing that, on top of just getting bored of writing a lot of the same old stuff. What were some influences for it?
Don't do it, Neil largely started out influenced by bands like Brand New, Nirvana, Weezer, Say Anything, etc. Now, it's really whatever the fuck I feel like doing, and that's the project where I'm really trying not to limit myself or force myself into a certain type of aesthetic.... At least not in general. I'm really mindful of trying to do cohesive pieces of art, so I'm sure everything on an album or EP will be aesthetically similar, but, between releases, I don't want to force myself into any box with it. ***Bonus Page filler question!***
You’re trapped in a kitchen, an attacker is headed toward you. What kitchen item do you choose to defend yourself?
I'd throw all the kitchen knives, ninja-style. After missing horribly, I'd probably just beat them as hard as I could with a frying pan.
Is there anything in the works for DDI,N? Please say yes. Tons of things. I had an album I was originally going to scrap called Actual Human Trash, but I'm just gonna fucking finish it and put it out. That one's really inspired by alternative rock, emo, grunge, etc, so it has drums, electric guitars, singing, screaming, the works.
And of course there's Good Health, which is more focused on atmosphere, subdued songwriting, and a lot of acoustic guitar. That one's a little more recent, and, I'd say compared to Actual Human Trash, more introverted, if that makes any sense whatsoever. â–
Can we talk about The Purpose of Small Animals?! Like, holy shit, it’s good! I really appreciate you saying that! I’m super insecure, so I will take all the praise I can get. Who are TPoSA? (No, really. Members aren’t listed anywhere.) It's still largely me, with some singing contributed by my partner Courtney. What is their part? Courtney is really, really fucking good at singing, and she only sings on one song of the EP we put out (and screams a line with me, actually), but future material is going to feature more of her singing. Were they in bands previously? Courtney's been singing her whole life, but I don't think she's ever been in any bands. She has performed a lot, though. How did it form? TPoSA started on a whim. I sat down to record some stuff and ended up recording the first song on the EP, "Fearful-Avoidant," completely off the cuff. I guess I was really inspired or something, because then I went ahead and recorded the next two or so songs on the EP. After I finished recording all the instruments, which took like two months because it took me forever to get around doing the bass for it (I never look forward to tracking bass), I started to get vocal melodies and lyrics in mind. I knew Courtney really liked the material, and I'd been wanting to work with her on music for so long, seeing as we've lived together for years and we'd never really done that before, so I asked if she'd like to contribute her singing to the project.
Have you played any shows? If so, how would you describe them? And what would you say is the most important thing for an audience member to be aware of or to do? We actually haven't played any shows, but I really want to get a line-up together so I can play the stuff live. I'd hope, once TPoSA starts performing live, that audience members and spectators would let themselves connect with the musi and not try too hard to dance or mosh or anything. I don't see it as moshing music, because, while it's definitely sort of heavy music, it's also very atmospheric and introspective.
What inspires the songs lyrically? Lyrically, TPoSA is inspired by my existential anxieties. I think a lot about death and the transient nature of everything, and I dwell a lot on how one day everything is just going to slip from my fingers. So, the lyrics kind of veer between trying to be existentially comfortable and affirming, and just being really fucking stubborn, like, "I'm never going to let myself or anyone I love die, because I will break and bend the laws of the universe to make it so." What was the recording process like? I usually write as I record, so, a lot of TPoSA was me sitting at my computer, recording riffs and doing a shitload of overdubs. Any unexpected hurdles? I probably finished most of the EP, with the exception of bass and vocals, in like a week. Then it took me a month or two or three to finally get around to tracking the bass, because I really hate playing bass. Then it took even longer to finally
just sit down and track vocals, because I'm ridiculous and finishing this thing that I really loved was such a nerve-wracking thought.
The songs are really atmospheric, but are described as being recorded in a bedroom. Maybe it’s just me, but the instrumentals sound huge while the vocals feel claustrophobic. There’s a contrast there that I find really interesting and I was wondering if that was intentional? That's totally spot on. To me, it's almost like what it feels like to be human—we're surrounded by this amazing, beautiful world, and beyond that an expansive and infinitely huge universe... and yet we're so small and weighed down by our bullshit, that we drown within ourselves rather than engage with all these wonderful things around us. You’ve recently announced that your self-titled ep will soon be available (on which formats?) through DIY German record label No Sleep Till Megiddo Records. How pumped are you guys? Talk a little bit about how you got connected with them.
We actually haven't played any shows, but I really want to get a line-up together so I can play the stuff live. I'd hope, once TPoSA starts performing live, that audience members and spectators would let themselves connect with the music
I started talking to No Sleep Till Megiddo Records on Facebook, because they put out some black metal and post-black metal releases I really liked, and even more than that they explicitly stated they would not work with Nazi, racist, or fascist bands or any bands that supported that kind of ideology. Having done black metal as Batsheva, I can tell you there's a problem with bigoted assholes in that scene, so I instantly have respect for any band or record label that just adamantly refuses to work with those losers. So, after seeing that they put out awesome music and that they explicitly refused to work with bigots, I just sent them a nice message, and things kind of went from there. What are each of you listening to in heavy rotation? Any bands that you think we should keep an eye and ear out for? I like to listen to a shitload of bands and artists, while Courtney is very selective. She likes some of the many things I put on around her, and I like everything she likes because I like too much shit. Courtney really likes bands like Bosse-de-Nage, early Muse, Sigur Ros, Pink Floyd, Liturgy, and the Mars Volta. I actually got her into Bosse-de-Nage, TMV, and Liturgy. We probably spent a good month or so just listening to the Liturgy's album The Ark Work right after it came out. That was actually her first and her favorite Liturgy album, and it was really fun sharing that with her, because it's just a lot of fun for me to find stuff that she actually really likes. Right now, I'm listening to a bunch of random shit, like j-pop, screamo, old post-hardcore bands I used to love, and weird Russian throat-singers. Seriously just whatever. But I really have to single out bands like Leer (mathy screamo that's super catchy and pretty-sounding), letters to catalonia (really fucking good emoviolence), facility (more really fucking good emoviolence), and Pinegrove (folky indie rock that everyone and their mom loves right now because it's so good). Parting words? Support DIY. Compassion's tight. Queers are dears. Fuck Donald Trump. Go vote. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your music. Hopefully we’ll be interviewing you on your next release! Thank you so much for even thinking to interview a dope like me! This was super fun.
SPIT SPEWING SNAKES
First off, thanks a bunch for getting back to us. You guys rule. If you don’t mind, please start by introducing yourselves and talking a little bit about your respective roles in the band. Thanks for asking us to do this man. Aaron - Guitar Juice - Drums Jordan – Bass Nate - Vocals and etc
I love how often the letter S is repeated in the band name and release titles. I think it adds a lot to the whole vibe. It’s very… snakey, haha. Was that something you intended from the start? Afraid you’ll ever run out of good S words to use? (Bad joke…) Definitely was not intended, like most things in this band it was just something we came into along the way. We have a few thesaurus' lying around and the entire Bad Religion catalogue so we should be fine for at least another release or so. Who does the artwork for your EPs? It’s really creepy and anxiety-inducing. If you know, what inspired those visuals? We do the art for everything we release. As far as inspiration goes we really just try to nail the feeling of the album. Sure you can extrapolate certain ideas from the art but it always starts with the music; the art is almost always the last piece to the puzzle but still an important one. Your first EP, Self Serving Saviors was recorded at Fresh Coast Collective. How did you guys get involved with them? We have immensely talented friends involved in various media types that help us with our projects, the term The Freshcoast Collective was us trying to usher in all our projects under one name to make it easier for people to find us.
We haven't worked under that moniker in a bit but you can bet your bottom dollar that name will show up again eventually. I'm so fucking excited. I've never had something put out on CD before, so this is major.
I see you’ve worked with a number of different studios including New Alliance East and Paper Tiger Studios. Are those local places and how’s the experience been working with them? NAE we found by going through our record collections and reading the liner notes. They're out of Boston. They just mastered our 7" so interactions were limited to online interactions but it came out better than we expected. Aaron recorded with Paper Tiger before with one of his previous bands so we knew we could depend on them for a solid recording. They're based out of Ohio. Have you been putting any new tunes together? Is the next release gonna be another EP or are we going to get a full length? I feel greedy but I really can’t wait for more even though the latest songs are only a little over a year old. Absolutely, we are always writing new music. We jam about once a week so when you're meeting that much there's no way new ideas don't percalate through. We are currently 8 songs into writing our first LP so look for that next year. I find it hard for bands to stand out in the hardcore genre, but you manage to make a unique brand of it. What’s the songwriting process like for you? I’m assuming the illuminati is somehow involved. Maybe some sort of summoning ritual? For this band we are generally recording about 1 year after we've written the base of the songs. We tinker over that year and try them out live but they sit with us for some time and we beat the shit out of them before we head to the studio. Songs get thrown out or more likely put on the shelf to be cannabalized later for use in other songs. There's a good amount of "That riff doesn't feel right anymore, remember that one we had for the 'punk fake-out' song? Do you think that would work here?" Nothings sacred to us, there's no shame in admitting that you didn't nail it on the first try. How’s the Detroit hardcore and punk scene doing? Well like most things in life you get out of it what you put into it, the Detroit music scene is no different. Some may think it's extremely hard to find a following or even a way in but it really comes down to the fact that we have a lot of talented people around here so if you're not bringing something needed, something new, or something
bands; from promoters to venues to the people behind the scenes grinding away, if you work hard or lend a hand you will be recognized. If you come to town demanding respect but not providing something in return you'll be ignored because there are 50 other people willing to lend a hand in some way or another. You won't be excommunicated or bullied out of the scene like some have implied but you will not be exalted either; I think people are separating respect and gratification when really they should come hand in hand. Might sound shitty to someone on the outside but I know many bookers who will put bands on shows as a sign of recognition because they felt someone in that band did something to deserve it rather than a popular band who can't get off their ass to post a fucking flyer on the internet.
Talk about The Sanctuary if you want - I’ve heard only good things. Maxwell is literally the best example of what I just ranted about above. He moved here only a few years ago, started in a small basement with some of the scariest stairs we've ever had the pleasure to carry an 8x10 down and now he's bought a huge dogdamn building for Sanctuary PT.2 that just opened. He put in the work and now he's reaping the benefits of the hundreds of seeds he's sown. We're definitely grateful for how kind Maxx has been to our band in particular, nearly every show we play in Detroit he has a hand in. And who are some of your favorite bands to play with? Spitback, Sunlights Bane, The Armed, Tharsis They, Great Reversals, Hallow Earth, No/Breaks, Dead Church and Fisherking. Do your best to describe your live show. With practicing every week and the range of influences we apply to our songs it really gives a fluidity to this band. We generally tailor a 10-12 song set for each specific show and try to jam out as many of those as we can in 20 minutes or less. I believe that's why we can generally roll with a lot of different types of bands of this subset and I love that about this band, you'll find us playing with hardcore bands or deathmetal bands one week then crust or grind bands the next and it's not really odd or jarring to either us or the audience. What was it like playing at Replay Entertainment Exchange? Isn’t that like a used video game shop? It was like looking into our lives on Earth 2; we would totally open up a space like that if given the chance. It's a video game/movie/record store with some MTG cards sprinkled in and a print shop in the back for good measure. And now they're hosting shows! It really is our sopping wet dream. Any plans to tour this summer? Would love to see you over in Grand Rapids. Hell yea and hell yea, we're working on a GR show as we speak. We probably won't be doing anything big but we've been eyeing a run out to St. Louis and to Canada as well, hopefully we can make that happen this summer. What would be your dream tour to open for? Give me 4 other bands/artists, dead or alive. Nate- Ha it would be the oddest show ever but Queen, Cursed, The Temptations, and Paint it Black. Juice- My dream tour for this band would consist of Minor Threat, American Nightmare, Terror and Trash Talk.