George Styles Turns an Unexpected Reunion Into “How Will I Ever Know”
Punk Head: You were essentially stuck on the track when Tommy Street’s message arrived. Did it feel like coincidence, or did it feel like the song had somehow called him back?
George Styles: Good question. At the time, I was just putting these songs together for a hypothetical album. I have wanted to make at least one album. So, this was the 2nd track that was close to being finished. I had my other one out and I think Tom heard it and quickly picked up on the drums being completely electronic. So, he messages me saying "You want some real drums on your tracks?' And that was it. It couldn't have come at a better time. He literally saved the whole project.
Punk Head: What did Tommy play that immediately made you think, “Yep, this is the missing piece”?
George Styles: Tommy Street did Tommy Street. That's all he's gotta do. Tom always plays for something bigger. And that is exactly what is needed. I am used to hearing Tom as we played an awful lot for 4 years straight. It is like something that is permanently instilled in me at this point. And he knows all my bullshit, so that helps, lol.
Punk Head: Twenty-five years is a long time between recording sessions. What surprised you about how quickly the old chemistry came back?
George Styles: I wasn't surprised, but rather, "glad to be back." We played on good nights, bad nights, nights we would have rather been doing other things, and nights where playing was the only thing we wanted. We've been through it all. We lived it. We were part of a whole story. Impacts like that don't fade. They become you. This is, really, what I am.
Punk Head: You describe the track as coming together through “the power of entropy in a world of chaos.” Is chaos actually useful to you creatively?
George Styles: Well, chaos seems to be the reigning force. It mostly works against me. I sit down with my guitar and try to write songs. Most of what I come up with is shit. I don't like it. But then those days happen where you belt out exactly what you wanted to say right off the hop. It's as if you get in tune with all the indescribable parts of your mind and find a way of saying what you wanted to say. But don't get me wrong, I am definitely no profound songwriter by any means. I am barely a songwriter. Just a dude looking to describe things in his head that are beyond his words.
Punk Head: What did Jeff Gilman bring to the song that you couldn't have gotten from the arrangement you already had?
George Styles: Greatness. Absolute greatness. Because of Jeff and Tom, this track finally came to life and kicked ass! Jeff is a total elite. One of the best bassists ever to pick up the instrument. And I was lucky enough to get him on my song! Do you know how great it is to have both him and Tommy on this? Man, I gotta say, that, in and of itself, is beyond words alone.
