THICK

INTERVIEW WITH VOCALIST/GUITARIST / BASSIST KATE BLACK, VOCALIST/GUITARIST NIKKI SISTI, AND VOCALIST/DRUMMER SHARI PAGE BY GEN HANDLEY O f all the music meccas that exist across the globe, none have been as influential as the city of New York—particularly when it comes to punk rock. Since the late ’60s, the Big Apple has been a fertile ground for punk, producing countless sub-genres and sub-scenes. To this day, New York continues to make its mark on the scene with waves of bands, good and bad, flowing out of its many gritty bars and stages.

One of the most recent and promising of these artists is THICK, an energetic, opinionated trio who, after three well-received EPs, are releasing their first full-length, 5 Years Behind, on March 6, 2020, via Epitaph Records.

One of the most recent and promising of these artists are THICK, an energetic, opinionated trio who, after three well-received EPs, are releasing their first full-length, 5 Years Behind, on March 6, 2020 via Epitaph Records.

“It was something that kind of resonated with all three of us in terms of always feeling like a late bloomer in life,” she explains. “Where you’re constantly comparing yourself to the expectations you set up for yourself when you were younger, or the expectations that were set up by parents or society. The song kind of encapsulates feeling a little bit behind everything else in your life and just feeling that pressure to catch up.”

This sentiment and more are delivered via catchy, melodic vocals, that occasionally find themselves caught in a cyclone of chaotic freneticism and impassioned declarations

PHOTO BY DEVON BRISTOL SHAW

of personal turmoil and political discontent. Catharsis for the band members occurs when humor is injected into the controlled fury and frustration. Within this creative liberation, THICK find solace in their songs and in the impassioned performances the band is increasingly becoming known for

“The song ‘Fake News,’ which we all “It’s just genuine, fun, and really enerwrote, has a sense of humor,” says getic,” says guitarist and vocalist Nikki drummer and vocalist Shari Page. Sisti. “We go wild—we headbang; we “It’s about not necessarily battling jump around; it really is genuine ensomething with a negative tone to it. ergy. I think if you come to our shows, We’re offering an opinion of what’s you see that we’re really having fun going on and finding a little bit of and enjoying ourselves.” humor in it. Growing up, watching the news, it would always really The trio also experience healing in scare me. And even now, watching the songs themselves. the news, it still really scares me.” “Not to give the cheesy typical response, but music helps you heal,” says Black. “I can personally relate to every song on this album. They’re songs that make you feel happy, but at the same time emotional. The song, ‘Won’t Back Down,’ I think there’s such a sense of emotion to it. I think the album makes people feel at home because of everything going on.”

“Shari, I love that,” Black adds, laughing affectionately. “I want people to feel at home with our album - that’s so sweet. ‘Come on into our living room, come have a slumber party with us.’” ��