Interview Storm Boy

In this interview, Storm Boy, a band rooted in punk rock tradition, post-hardcore, and rock 'n roll, shares insights into their collaborative approach, post-apocalyptic inspirations, and the evolution of their sound. The EP, set for release on January 12, 2024, promises a thrilling blend of energy and emotion.

1. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your EP, "With a Gasp that Reached to the Sky." Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the title and what listeners can expect from this new collection of songs?

Hey thank you! We’re extremely excited to enter this next phase of Storm Boy- a phase that’s not just Chas Roberts writing and recording almost all the parts and instruments, with Titan Record Studios’ Scot Michael playing drums. It’s a step into a broader, bigger experience that’s created as a group…not just an individual creating in solitude, but a team experience. In this case since those responsible for the execution of this EP have all been friends for well over a decade and played in other bands together, it can create not a hesitation to hand off responsibility, but an excitement to collaborate and make something both fun and meaningful together. We entered that collaboration by taking a big breath, looking up to the skies with anticipation of something great…a gasp that reached to the sky and built electricity.

2. Your sound has been described as a blend of punk rock tradition, post-hardcore, and rock 'n roll. How did you arrive at this unique fusion, and what bands or artists have influenced the development of Storm Boy's musical style?

Ha, yes, we have a full backpack of influences we carry around, don’t we? I think much of the mix stems from where we’re from and what we’ve done. We’re our experiences, right? We're influenced and inspired by a wide variety of music and musical styles but have our most formative ties to punk and punk-adjacent music. Chas grew up in and around Washington, DC taking in not just the harDCore DC was known for, but also the streetpunk of the Suspects and the Goons. The rousing spirit of Richmond’s Avail, and more, playing in bands like Unabomer and then noise metal band Sellout Posers.  Jeremy grew up in the midwest cutting his teeth in that more noise centered scene playing with Goatboy. Jack came up in New York playing in bands like Zao and Highland Drive. As we’ve grown as people we’ve carried those influences into later bands in the Puget Sound area like Voycheck, Dry T-Shirt Contest, and Imperial Legions of Rome. So we’ve taken those experiences and then brought in influences like IDLES, RVIVR, the Last Gang, Red City Radio, Plosivs, earlier Fucked Up, and even some TV on the Radio to round out the sound hopefully creating something familiar, but also fresh and exciting. 

3. The new EP's first release, "the Steam In the Room," has been praised for Its unique sound and compelling video. Could you share the creative process behind both the song and the music video, particularly the post-apocalyptic theme?

That video was very much a happy accident, we’re very excited by how it turned out. Post-apocalyptic storytelling has been a big interest of Chas’s for a long time. An example of this is while very active in music, he also has a deep performing arts background and previously managed a fringe theater/Nightclub in Seattle called Re-bar.  While there he produced a post-apocalyptic variety show (in Wild Zero style, it also functioned as a drinking game). This variety show also included deep storylines that stretched across performances, so it was constantly something that was on his mind even after the conclusion- how characters met, what the experience would’ve been like, how trust was gained and lost. This was became a topic of conversation between Chas and former/sometimes Storm Boy guitarist THE Ash Diaz during a long drive between shows: what would a post-apocalyptic romance look like? What is it like to exist in a world where “I’d never grow old/yet older we grow?”
The video is really where the “happy accident” takes shape. Chas was wanting to make a video for the song and was having a hard time putting a shoot together, facing challenges with both resources and financially. He expressed those frustrations to an old collaborator from a previous project who casually mentioned she had a whole bunch of post-apocalyptic footage she shot to try out a new camera. Chas checked it out and…kismet.

4. As the director of the music video for "the Steam in the Room," Chas Roberts, how did you approach visually representing the themes of survival, trust, and personal transformation within the post-apocalyptic backdrop?

Your live performances are known for being captivating and leaving a lasting impression on audiences. How do you translate the energy and rebellious spirit of your music into a live experience, and what can fans expect from a Storm Boy concert?

So our motto is centered around “Let’s get wild, let’s get rowdy, let’s get free, let’s do it together.” So we channel that by trying to incorporate the audience as much as possible- creating call and response moments, taking advantage of the space to bring those present as close to the experience as possible- more often than not, this presents itself by Chas going rogue and venturing off into the crowd to play riffs “in their face.” Lastly, in concert, we prioritize energy and enthusiasm over musicianship. Read: it may get sloppy but we’ll have a wild time together.

5. With a focus on creating "confident, indulgent, fist-throwing, beer cheers-ing, movie climax moment" experiences for your audience, how do you ensure that your performances are not just musical events but memorable, immersive experiences?

Yeah, this can manifest itself in many ways. I think the first is by setting expectations and making sure people know it’s ok to hell, it’s ok be a part of the action. Chas has a bit of a monologue he likes to throw at at the beginning of our sets that includes
“We’re so glad to see all of you, and I know there are some new faces out there. If you’ve never shared time with us, there are some things to know- first: there will be a moment tonight where you will hear something that lights you on fire. If that happens, I want you to take your drink and raise it in the air and holler out ‘Fuck yeah!’ try it out. (people raise drinks and yell) Now, not all of you drink, and that’s ok. In that case, take your fist and put it in the air and gimme a fuck yeah. (they do it again) Now…in the interest of inclusion, some of you might not have fists. ALSO OK, all bodies are beautiful! In that case, looking around I know everyone here has an ass, you get up, get that ass shakin and gimme a fuck yeah (breaks into the next song)”

We also try to set up more interesting shows at unexpected places like roller rinks or include something like our annual Halloween show in Olympia that includes blood wrestling in front of the stage. We want to soundtrack your life and make your experiences better. We know we’re not the only part of your night, but we want to be one the things you most remember as making your night better.

6. The EP is currently available for pre-order, with a release date set for January 12, 2024. What are your expectations for the reception of "With a Gasp that Reached to the Sky," and how do you hope it will resonate with your fanbase and new listeners?

So there are two answers to this question- the first is that if one person likes it half as much as we do it’s a win. Financially, being in a band is a losing proposition with how it resonates with others being the return on that investment. When we record something new, we don’t just send it out to press, we send out preview links to people we interact with often on social media or at shows and ask them to let us know how it makes them feel with the understanding that we hope for complete honesty. That really helps us feel that it’s meaningful. Secondly, we, meaning musicians and creators in general, absolutely create for an audience. But there are different levels to that audience with the first being us. If it means something to US, then it’s a win and I think that comes out in the presentation. Listeners feel the energy. Like I said, we value energy over precision and there are times when Chas misses lines or bobbles a word in recording, but the energy is so solid that he won’t re-record it to get it word perfect if the energy is perfect.

7. The bassist, Pogo Meyer, is a new addition to Storm Boy. How has this change influenced the dynamics and sound of the band, and what does Pogo bring to the table in terms of creativity and collaboration?

Pogo brings energy and excitement. He’s a little younger than Chas and Jeremy, so there’s definitely an enthusiasm that was missing. Plus, he comes from a wealth of different tastes and experiences: he’s a captain on an oyster boat, he builds guitars, he writes sea shanties. Musically, he brings even more passion for songwriting and elevating the song. Personally, he’s extremely extroverted and very much driven by joy so he definitely increases the smiles in the practice space.

8. Can you share any behind-the-scenes anecdotes or interesting stories from the recording process of the new EP that fans might find intriguing?

Not that we can think of…this was Jeremy’s first time adding backing vocals so there was a fun bonding moment between Chas and Jeremy in the vocal booth, but I think we tend to approach recording pretty deliberately. Technology has made the process much more efficient. Chas often will write and record full demos of songs at his house and then we practice those and contribute to making the parts our own or adapting them to fit the live show. Then, with these tracks, Chas and Jeremy went into Titan Recording Studio to record in person while Jack added his basslines remotely. I think there’s a bonding element of recording together that gets missed, but it all moves faster. All in all, we spent about 12 hours actually IN the studio. So the short answer to “…any behind-the-scenes anecdotes or interesting stories?” is not really HAHA

9. Your music often explores themes of success, love, and loneliness. How do these themes weave into the narrative of the songs on the upcoming EP, and what messages or emotions do you hope listeners take away from your music?

Chas: That’s an interesting take. I feel like I try to focus more on unity and acceptance which is key to the desired audience take-aways. Coming out of Covid precautions and the time we ll spent in solitude I was determined to lead with joy…and to spread that joy…which very much drove the concept of “let’s get wild, let’s get rowdy, let’s get free, let’s do it together.” I look at the earlier songs like Smiling Betty which was about the one-time fastest woman in the world who was sidelined by an airplane accident and in her recovery made the realization that she didn’t have the be THE best, just her best. She didn’t need to be the wind, she just needed to be a breath; It’s the Mess that Makes us which is about coming to terms with experiences that were very much “less than preferable” to allowing us to not  “get angry at the mess, it’s making us better.” Or with the songs on this EP, Full Orca which focuses on reclaiming what’s yours (from the perspective of yacht smashing Orcas), Plosivs which is acceptance of impermanence and a desire to keep fighting; From your Mouth, which channels the burden of watching those we love fade away and relishing the moments we had as opposed to being mired into what we’d miss…approaching that acceptance “with a gasp that reached to the shy building electricity.” And, of course a coming together against external forces that would keep us apart…letting the fire meet the water and creating steam that will power us forward.

That being said, I think it’s amazing and wonderful when someone relates to what we’re doing and is able to apply their own meaning…as long as that meaning isn’t used to destroy or tear down others. I want to build, I want to inspire. Maybe that is success and love?

10. The music industry has undergone significant changes over the years. How has Storm Boy adapted to these changes, and what are your thoughts on the current state of the alternative rock and punk rock scenes?

This is the challenge. From a promoting perspective,  the struggle we find ourselves talking about most is how to get in front of people. We put a lot of effort into physical advertising at the grassroots level and taking that DIY approach but of course there are physical limitations of space that can’t be overcome. We utilize social media channels as much as we can but, even boosting content on those key platforms has little desired effect in getting shows and content in front of people. So at the end of the day, from a reaching people perspective, it’s really about doing what bands have been doing since day one- playing as many shows as possible, talking to people, networking, and not being dicks. It’s our responsibility as members of a community to elevate the community. We should leave the scene better than we found it and the hope is that by leaning into that mentality, it unites and creates an inclusive atmosphere that people want to be a part of.  In that way, the alt rock and punk scenes seem more community-centered than they’ve been in the past. It doesn’t feel as clique-ish and shows are more diverse, not just in terms of styles represented but there is greater gener representation, more people of color, more capabilities, and more “crossing the aisles” than there’s been in the past. It’s an exciting time.

11. "the Steam in the Room" has received attention from various music publications, praising your unique sound and storytelling depth. How do you approach storytelling through your music, and what role do narrative and lyricism play in the Storm Boy creative process?

Chas: That’s a really good question. So, I have a stutter. I’ve had it my whole life. It confuses people that come buy merch at our shows because it’s not very apparent when I’m singing or onstage and doing my “onstage thing.” In my day to day, I try to practice under a mantra of speak less, say more (but I’m easily excited, so it doesn’t always work). But in overcoming that hindrance I’ve grown extremely passionate about alternative methods of communicating and connecting. Add that to the fact that a big part of the human experience is the way we connect through storytelling…creating a relatable trope that people can see themselves in or relate to their experiences. Touching on senses and building a place and accepting the challenge of doing so with the brevity of a song. Taking a listener to where there’s a “hole where it was wholly enclosed. There’s a breach from the wet to the cold and there’s a breach where it was wholly enclosed.” That moment is almost tangible in 24 words that span 8 measures of bass that crashes and guitar that pierces. Speak less, say more.

12. As a band based in Olympia, Washington, how has the local music scene influenced Storm Boy's evolution, and what challenges and advantages come with being part of a smaller, tight-knit community?

 “A smaller, tight knit community,” indeed! We’ll touch on that in a moment. Olympia is a small town that has a deep, rich history. Growing up outside of Olympia, it was a place we were all very aware of because of that rick history. The Riot Grrl movement, the K Records bands, Kill Rock Stars…. on and on... through to what was going on in the aughts and teens with RVIVR and G.L.O.S.S., one could say there’s a tall shadow to grow out of, and there are plenty of bands with a variety of styles to inspire each other to grow out of that shadow together: Manic Pixie Dream Boat, the Cold Sweats, Null State, Casval, Heat Shimmer, Electric Sweats, Division Street, Grim Earth, T.I.T., Rat Cage, and many more. In terms of that “smaller, tight knit community,” smaller, definitely. There are so few venues to play at that are really set up for bands. There are three legitimate venues in town, one is less than welcoming, one recently caught on fire and has been closed for a few months, and the last is a very small room with a 4-channel mixer and some speakers. It’s a great little room, but this few active open spaces doesn’t really make for a thriving scene. Thankfully there are plenty of DIY spaces, but the inability to fully advertise where those spaces are makes it hard to really estimate turnout, and we also need to limit said turnout. A couple new spaces are making themselves available, like Rhythms Café which is exciting as it’s helping to nurture a thriving, scrappy, and inventive all-ages scene which the Puget Sound area has been missing. The other plus is the central location of Olympia has allowed us to cultivate and nurture relationships in both Portland and Seattle, vastly increasing the pool of venues we can play and the friendships we’ve been able to grow.

13. Looking back at your discography, including the 4 Song EP from 2022, how do you perceive the growth and evolution of Storm Boy's sound and identity from your earlier works to the upcoming release?

 The growth between the 4 Song and “….Gasp…” is tremendous. There’s greater consistency, smoother flow, and an overall clearer direction. Chas was extremely focused early on at just getting back to playing and putting out music, so the 4 song felt like a rushed answer to requests for physical media at his merch table when he’d play solo shows. Now it’s beginning to feel like something intentional. There’s still a ways to go and hopefully the next release will feel like we’ve completely arrived, but we’re very proud of “With a Gasp that Reached to the Sky” as it stands.

14. Beyond the EP release, what are the band's plans for 2024? Any upcoming tours, collaborations, or other projects you can tease for your fans?

We’ll be continuing weekend jaunts all over the Pacific Northwest. We’re booked through March up and down Washington and Oregon with some fantastic bands like the Disorderlies, the Wild Jumps, los Mal Hablados, One Drink and Other Lies and more. In the works we have some fly-ins planned, some festival stages, and some stops in Canada in the works that haven’t been announced yet. Further, we have 8 more songs ready to record and 3 more already recorded, so expect much more this year. Lastly, we are on the lookout for another guitarist. There’s a preference on a femme/NB person who can do backups that’ll offset Chas’ voice, so if you know someone, send them our way! But all in all, we’re very excited for the coming year and hope others will be also.

15. In closing, what message would you like to convey to your fans, both longtime supporters and those discovering Storm Boy for the first time with the upcoming EP?

Turn it up.

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