New Noise Magazine Issue #52

PHOTO BY JAMES REXROAD

PHOTO BY JAMES REXROAD

INTERVIEW WITH SINGER / GUITARIST JASON RIVERA

BY THOMAS PIZZOLA

G

aytheist is a power trio from munity, though, take the band’s name “[We’re] trying to trim out all the excess, that period, we got together when we Portland, Oregon, featuring the wrong way. unneeded parts,� Rivera says. “Plus, could and worked on new music. Now vocalist and guitarist Jason when you play music with Nick on that we are all Team Gaytheist again, Rivera, drummer and back- “Yes, some people are not so happy drums, you play fast and punchy just we shit out a whole new album (and a up vocalist Nick Parks, and bassist about our name,� Rivera says. “About to survive. We tend to err on the side 7� later this year).� and back-up vocalist Tim Hoff. The five years into the band I started add- of ‘keep things as short and concise trio plays fast, fun, catchy, punkish ing ‘Gaytheist is a portmanteau of Gay and fast as possible.’ Lyrically, [we’re] Their post-release plans (like those of metal, and on their new album, How + Atheist’ to our online stuff, as I didn’t just trying to explore new topics while many bands) were changed due to the Long Have I Been On Fire?, out now realize that was not clear to everyone.� keeping it personal. Whether I write current situation going on in the world. on Hex Records, they show why they a folk or a punk or a rock song, after are one of the best kept secrets in For those not in the know, Rivera is, Tim and Nick get done with it, it’s a “The plan was to tour the U.S. and Canloud rock today. indeed, a gay atheist. You would think loud beast of noise.� ada in April, May, and July, but it’s St. after nine years into the band’s exisOne thing you must understand when tence, it wouldn’t bother him - but you dealing with this band is that they would be wrong. use humor to get their point across, blending it in with more serious mes- “I wish I didn’t care, but I do, which is sages. After all, a little sugar makes pretty dumb considering the name the bitter pill of truth go down we chose,� he says. “I’ve had people smoother. try to tell me our name means that we The new album comes three long Patty’s Day today and the COVID-19 don’t believe in gay people. I’m like, I years after their previous one, Let’s pandemic is in effect, so everything “We are silly people,� says Rivera. “Also, know I have low self-esteem, but I still Jam Again Soon. Life and other will likely get rescheduled,� Rivera the three of us are heavily influenced believe I exist.� band commitments got in the way says. “Now the plan is: survive, take

by Karp, both in the heavy pumof Gaytheist releasing any new mu- care of each other, then figure out meling-yet-catchy music, and the The songs on HLHIBOF?, like on other sic until now. how to get back in front of people not-so-serious lyrics. I think humor Gaytheist albums, are short blasts of and play some loud music. We’re has a place everywhere, from heavy noise and catchiness, filled with Rive- “As soon as we finished recording the working on some music videos too. music, to any entertainment, to poli- ra’s sometimes humorous, sometimes previous record at the end of 2016, And we started working on the next tics, to science. Although, the new al- serious lyrics. It gets in, rocks out, and Nick moved to Florida for a year and album already, ’cause why not?� bum does have its serious songs. We leaves before you know what hit you. a half,� Rivera says. “When he moved mix it up.�

This has been their songwriting M.O. back we did a tour with Maximum Why not, indeed. After all, the world since the very beginning, because Mad, then he played drums for High could use a little sunshine and fun in Some people in the loud rock com- that’s the way they like it. on Fire for six months last year. During these dire times. đ&#x;’Ł đ&#x;’Ł đ&#x;’Ł

“THE PLAN IS: SURVIVE, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, THEN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET BACK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND PLAY SOME LOUD MUSIC.�

62 NEW NOISE