5 Q&A With STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD
What was the creative process like for this particular single?
Masasucks: Both tracks we released started out as just one chorus’ worth of ideas. I had these rough hummed melodies floating around in my head. Josh and I got together in the studio and created new melodies from there to complete them.
Josh: Working with Masasucks is a dream for most musicians in Japan, a legend in the industry. Writing the lyrics and melody with a mentor like that was both daunting and exciting, the added pressure to make something to his standard made me go the extra mile in the creative process.
Was there any challenge that you encountered while making "Don't Back Down / Haunted Home?"
M: During the songwriting process, Josh and I spent days in the studio discussing the key, tempo, and backing vocals - basically figuring out what vibe would sound coolest for SBF. But hey, that’s what every band does, so I wouldn’t call it a challenge, haha.
J: Recording the day after a gig wasn’t the best idea, you can hear the strain at the end of Haunted Home with me pushing myself to my limit.
How do you feel this single represents your artistic identity?
M: I’m proud that we were able to kick off these two new songs to the world, and that we have so many friends who helped us out. Being able to release this as the driving force behind creating a new movement makes me happy.
J: Punk rock has always been to me about unity, DBD is a song about that really, about what I felt growing up as a fan so being on the other side of it - on stage is something I want to represent.
What motivates you as a band?
M: I think we were able to express the sound culture we grew up listening to as our own new sound. It’d be awesome if this single EP heads toward a punk rock Nobel Prize! Haha.
J: a shared love for the music, we are not kids anymore but making this kind of music takes us back to our routes. We can continue doing this for a long time!
Do you aim to convey any specific themes or messages through your music?
M: Sure, conveying themes and messages through music is important, but what we’re really excited about is creating a movement with our friends and everyone who comes to our shows!
J: Music is for everyone, I believe the best performers at a show are the audience. Their energy brings so much, hopefully our music can give them more energy to perform at our shows!
