Vidal Granados: Great set guys! Burning under the bright sun but you pulled it off. Aside from the sun, how are you guys enjoying Just Like Heaven?

Josh Hodges: It’s great! Such a good lineup that “Just Like Heaven” is tailor-made for people of our generation.

Shawn Glassford: Super happy to be here!

VG: You are performing in Washington in the summer. Any other upcoming show dates you can share?

JH: Right now we’re actually finishing up an album so when that’s done then we’ll focus on the next tour. That’ll probably be more for next year 2024.

VG: How I got introduced to you was back in 2018 from my friend. He went to your 10-Year Anniversary show decked out in a full spacesuit and you guys brought him on stage to dance and signed his helmet. Shoutout to Spaceman Sam!

JH: [Laughs] That’s awesome!

SG: I remember him! We did 2 nights at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. They were great!

JH: With our anniversary tour, we did the whole first album then took an intermission before doing a whole other set. Overall a 2-hour show.

VG: I know the name STRFKR has been asked about a lot and I understand it was an inside joke originally. In doing so you took a stance with the name. You guys went by “Pyramids” for a brief moment, but quickly went back to “STRFKR” because you didn’t want to conform your vision.

JH: I had another band I was serious about before this. But then I became disillusioned with even trying to be successful in music. This band (STRFKR) was essentially born out of my giving up. Music became a fucking popularity contest that I didn’t want to be a part of. The way the name became an inside joke was I was on tour as a guitarist for another band and overheard obnoxious industry people bragging saying, “I’m a star fucker!” I thought it was a funny, dumb name that may not be good branding, but whatever.

The music I was making in my basement was for myself. I love to play drums and write songs. That’s how STRFKR came to be really and then it grew. From a few house shows to bigger gigs and working with whoever was down to play with me. I didn’t even know Shawn (Glassford) when he joined the band [Laughs]. I knew his girlfriend beforehand and she mentioned her boyfriend was a good drummer. And I eventually married them years later! Anyways, during that time it didn’t feel like we were in control, things moved so fast. Shawn was motivated and he booked all the shows and it wasn’t a chore, it was a fun experience.

SG: The “Pyramids” name came when we tried to get a manager that claimed certain labels wanted to sign us but didn’t like the name STRFKR. So we changed our name and did a show in England and it didn’t work out, it wasn’t our vision.

JH: I say all this to tell readers, “Listen to your fucking gut!” Every time we deviated from our view because we thought getting a manager or changing our name was a smart move it never felt right. That’s why we said, “Fuck it let’s do whatever we want,” and it usually worked out well.

VG: That’s some high praise Shawn for being the backbone. What was your journey like joining STRFKR?

SG: In the beginning it was self-indulgence. We played however we wanted even to the point where we’d try to annoy people to leave with noise before going into our smoother tunes to make them stay. We did every single show that was offered. Once it picked up though it kind of spiraled out of our control. Then once our fan base was created we felt obligated to do it for the fans and have more serious shows. It took on its own life once things got more real. But there’s a method to the chaos.

JH: It’s the best job I ever had! We’re not qualified to do anything. I was working as a parking lot attendant before this.

SG: [Laughs] I was making lattes, washing dishes, and bussing tables. I can bus a table like nobody’s business!

VG: I enjoyed your latest single “Running Around”. What’s your process for working on a song?

JH: During the pandemic, I got really lazy. I was depressed and uninspired. But then I made myself write a new song every day. “Running Around” came from that batch of songs I had written in that time. The way I write is I fucked around until I like something. I’m not really good at any instrument it’s all about your taste. That song actually I hated everything I was doing until I stumbled onto something that clicked. I was forcing key changes when I didn’t have to. There is another version of “Running Around” that we’ll be putting on the new album next year.

SG: I come in more near the end and give feedback on the track. Josh writes most of the stuff.

JH: Shawn is like the manager. From the very beginning he was booking all the shows and going through my catalog of songs and being helpful on what projects needed fine-tuning. His perspective was important in those early stages. He handles the orders of the album. Shawn and drummer Keil Corcoran will do the lights and stage design for live shows. We all have our different places that we contribute. It’s crazy how well our weird working relationship has continued so long for 12 years.

SG: It’s been 16 years. Since 2007 [laughs]

JH: It’s been 16 years? That’s fucking nuts! [laughs]

VG: As I start to wrap up, Josh you mentioned going through a phase during which you were not inspired to make music. What activities do you do in order to get those creative juices flowing again?

JH: Times when I’ve had writer’s block, I make myself do art I’m not good at. Nothing that has to do with my sense of self or money. I started doing watercolor paintings. There’s something rewarding about the process of being bad at something and doing it anyways. In doing so it’s like being an antenna to attracting good vibes.

SG: I play disc golf that’s my outlet to let off steam. It’s meditative.

VG: Lastly, any further details you guys can give on the future album?

JH: There are about 13ish songs. We’ve had 30 songs we’ve been whittling down from. They’re pretty far along. Hoping to finish up by July, which means we’ll tour and release it by next year.

SG:  By January it’ll release hopefully. Figures crossed!

JH: I feel like I don’t really have perspective on it yet since I’ve been working on it so much. That’s why it’s helpful to have Shawn and Keil look at it for feedback. Also, we’re going to have someone else mix it which we don’t normally do. That’ll be good.

SG: Producer Chris Coady, he’s has worked on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On the Radio, Beach House, and countless other records. He’s awesome. It’s exciting to be working with him.

VG: I look forward to hearing it. Thank you so much for your time guys!

STRFKR by J. Bajsel for Just Like Heaven for Just Like Heaven Music Festival.

The post A time in space with inter-dimensional band STRFKR appeared first on Quip Magazine.

STRFKR has been around since 2006 and has been no stranger to change, but seven years, three albums, and a few new members later, these guys appear to be right where they need to be. Known for playing the name game, starting off as Starfucker, then a brief transformation to Pryamidd, and then comfortably back to STRFKR, the band many would think of as unsure and confused is really just adjusting to their own movement. Finally happy with their unit, members Joshua Hodges, Shawn Glassford, Keil Corcoran, and Patrick Morris are writing and producing music together, touring, and creating a lasting impression when they preform. They have what every band strives for: unity and a passion for the music.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, STRFKR has successfully put out four albums and has recently started touring around the world. Though they were not always massively popular, they seem to understand becoming big right away is not always the way to go. Getting into their groove and certainly putting in the work (living out of a van and collecting food stamps), these guys deserve every bit of fame coming their way. With their recent release of the album Miracle Mile, the guys have been concentrating on creating a memorable experience at their live shows and making sure they do not shy away from their original sound. Though reviews have not been overly admirable, one thing seems to be clear: their sound is consistent and amazing live.

In a recent interview, the band has talked about the infamous eight-foot LED wall that they had built for their live shows, creating an atmosphere for the audience that is intoxicating and vivid. They definitely understand the importance of putting on a lasting performance and have a knack for creating a massive energy. With so many new opportunities for bands lately, making a live show memorable is extremely important. Fans can easily download music and support the band without actually supporting it at all, so making sure people are coming out and enjoying their vibe allows for their success to last.

STRFKR’s success does not seem to end at albums or shows. They have also had cameos in a Target commercial (though legally under Josh Hodges’s name because of the bands title), songs featured in movies and television shows such as Weeds and Skins, as well as a feature in a Juicy Couture commercial. All of these elements add to their final picture as a band, and allow for versatility and future projects outside of just recording. Every move they make is meticulous and with purpose. Don’t be fooled by the changes, the changes are what make this band work.

So what’s next for STRFKR? Well, they are probably not going to be changing their name anytime soon, but if they do, it won’t steer them away from their success. Now that they are becoming internationally recognised, the guys want to keep on doing more shows and creating energy for their fans that will be unforgettable. They hope to tour all around the world (which is a dream that is already coming true) and keep producing solid records. Though it took a few years for this band to captivate all of the right elements, they are proof that slow and steady wins the race, and it seems like, for now, this puzzle is complete.

The post STRFKR: what’s in the name? appeared first on Quip Magazine.