TWENTY2 – Dismissed

By starrymag | August 10, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Well, on this album at least: Fast, melodic punk rock bordering on hardcore. We have poppy-ish punk songs, we have fast melodic songs, and we have very aggressive songs. I guess you could say we’re a moody punk band because it all comes down to the mood that we’re in while writing.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) ALL/Descendents will always on top for me. I like a lot of bands from the 80’s punk era: Black Flag, Bl’ast!, Circle Jerks, SNFU, TSOL, Dag Nasty, Minor Threat, Adolescents, Bad Brains, Gorilla Biscuits, etc. I also like a lot of 80’s glam rock & metal: White Lion (YES White Lion!), Van Halen, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Ratt, Guns N Roses, etc. 90’s era I like: Jane’s Addiction, CIV, Good Riddance, Strung Out, Trigger Happy, Propagandhi, Rollins Band, Snapcase, Pantera, etc. & then 2000’s: Only Crime, The Story So Far, New Found Glory, Kvelertak, Turnstile, A Vulture Wake… Of course, there’s more…

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Underneath.”

A) “Underneath” is a song about being an introvert, which I am. I got the idea for the song years ago when I had to be around a lot of people for work almost twenty-four hours a day for a few days. At some point I was just sitting in a meeting, and I almost fell off my chair because I got so dizzy and thought, “Oh, being around these people for too long actually makes me ill.” That’s where the opening line “Sitting still & I lose my balance” comes from. All my life I thought there was something wrong with me, being pretty anti-social and all but it turns out I’m just a hardcore introvert. I like people just fine; I just can’t be around them for too long.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) Perhaps there are quite a few introverted people out there that connect with the lyrics. I also think it’s a pretty catchy song.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I don’t know that it does, since it’s just a lyric video, but again maybe people connect with the words, which would be cool.

 

Q) Jon H., you and Luke Pabich worked over Zoom and Facetime to create songs for your upcoming album Dismissed thanks in part to the pandemic. However, what is your typical song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It depends. Either I have an idea for what I want a song to be about before I start writing the music, or I have a music idea and write lyrics that fit with it. In both cases. It usually just starts off with a very basic idea. Like I have a bunch of song titles and/or subjects and/or ideas written down that I’d like to make songs out of. I also have a bunch of guitar riffs recorded that may also turn into a song at some point. In either case, the starting point is very basic. For example, the first song on the album – “Conditioned” – I had recorded the intro riff years ago and completely forgot about it. One day I’m going through riffs & get to this one, it sparks instant inspiration & I wrote the rest of the song in about an hour. It’s all about inspiration & for me, that’s all about the right timing.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) Both my hands are in the production, from beginning to end. That said, I have no tech skills whatsoever, so really what that means is I have vague ideas of what I want to do and try to get it done through others who can actually get it done.

 

Q) Your album Dismissedis out now! What are some themes you explore on it?

A) Themes: a big one is divisiveness and political correctness. The world is so incredibly divided over politics and social issues and maybe it’s because I’m Canadian, but I just don’t see why so many people want to keep this up so bad. Red against blue and all that, it’s ridiculous to me. We’re all humans. Stop telling everyone what to do with their lives. The only team I can get on is team live and let live. At the end of the day, we all pretty much want the same things, really. As long as you’re not hurting anyone, we’re cool.

Other themes are more on a personal level. Anger and frustration are a big part of my day, so that seems to come out a lot in the songs. It also makes me incapable of not writing songs.

Losing people is another one; whether it’s losing friends over dumb situations, or losing loved ones for good. Trying to cope with that.

Also, the song “Setup from The Start” is about breaking up with Social Media, which I’m still working on. It’s going to happen!

 

Q) There are thirteen songs on the album. Which tracks are your personal favorites and why?

A) “Before You Save Us” is my personal favorite. It’s the song that made me want to do another album. I like the mix of hardcore and pop punk and I dig the lyrics. “I Know It’s You” is probably my second favorite, but it’s a tough one to sing so it’s a painful one to play! “Fuck Your Rules” is another one I started writing a long time ago and I had been aching to get that one out there. Like I was saying earlier, I’m not a fan of the red vs. blue / black vs. white mentality and that’s what that song is about.

 

Q) What do hope listeners take away from exploring the songs on this album?

A) I hope they find something they like, either musically or lyrically. I think there’s something here for everyone, if you like punk rock. The approach is a little different. We’re mixing it up. Again, if there’s anything I would like people to take away from it, is to ask themselves if this whole “us vs them” thing is getting us anywhere. I don’t think it is and so I dismiss it.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Trois-Rivieres, although we haven’t gone there in forever. We had the best shows there. We’ll be back soon.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Luke Pabich again and maybe Bill Stevenson, although I’m not sure I could handle trying to sing in front of him. He’s bigger than God to me.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’m not currently listening to anything in particular but I can tell you what I can’t get tired of: The Story So Far’s ST album & “What You Don’t See”… all Only Crime albums… New Found Glory’s “Catalyst”… White Lion’s Pride album… Circle Jerks “VI”… Bl’ast! “Take The Manic Ride”… I could go on, obviously. Oh, hang on, super important: A Vulture Wake’s 2 new EPs on our label, Thousand Islands. Those are REALLY good.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Yes, unfortunately. For now, we have to. I only have IG on my phone, the rest I only have on my computer. Once I’m done with music, I’m off it!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Well first off, thank you! I guess that’s it really. The best thing you can say to me is that song or this song means a lot, that means the world to me.

THANKS GUYS!

 

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Jon H. Genier