Join us as we chat with Nick and Mark from WORLDSUCKS about their upcoming tour blending music with activism, their evolving sound, and their long-term goals for impact.
1. Your
upcoming tour is focused not just on music but also on activism, with the goal
of raising money for regional abortion funds. How did this concept come about,
and what inspired you to blend music with social advocacy?
Nick - Our
band talks a lot about what’s wrong in the world, and who’s wrong. But, what
are we doing about it? I have an ambivalence about touring, where it seems sort
of self-indulgent in a lot of ways, and possibly even pointless, for a band
that’s not making their living through music. So, we figured we should back up
all our talk about the ills of society by doing something to make it better.
I became aware of abortion funds as a concept a few years ago and began
donating to the New York state one where I live. We were also routing our tours
through states where abortion rights were being eviscerated. Some of the states
on the frontlines, like Alabama (and the great fund there, Yellowhammer Fund),
got a lot of attention. But, we figured we should raise money for the local
fund in each state/city we were in—because, as we soon found out, abortion
access isn’t safe anywhere.
2. "NO!/GO!" seems to carry a strong message of empowerment and
collective freedom. Can you elaborate on the themes explored in this song and
how they relate to the current socio-political climate?
Nick - We
write protest songs. They’re loud and angry, but at their core, that’s what
they are. And, while I think they have an essential place in music, you do sort
of hit a wall where it’s like, OK we’re saying all the things that are wrong,
but how can we help make things right? I often think of Bob Dylan becoming
tired of writing “finger-pointin’” songs. It does eventually run its course.
This song started as an idea of reaching out to liberals and even conservatives
and trying to wake them up. Starting with the basics that we’re really all in
the same situation, under the thumb of the rich and the powerful. Why would you
want to willingly live like that? Why would you focus on petty bullshit, like
political parties and politicians—or, even further, being a racist, or a
transphobe, or anti-immigrant? People seem to want to hold onto what little
power they think they have, when if collectively, we all rejected this society
that doesn’t work for any of us, we’d all be a lot freer. How these folks don’t
see how un-free they are boggles my mind. The other thought that rattles around
my brain constantly is Mariame Kaba’s quote (or it might actually be her
relating something she’d been told) that hope is a discipline. It’s easy, and
kinda rational even, to think there’s no way out of where we are. It takes real
energy to keep the hope going that someday things will turn. We may not be
alive for it, but it will happen. We’re seeing it now with global solidarity
with Palestinians. Something of this scale was unthinkable even a year ago.
That idea Dr. King talked about, the arc of the moral universe bending towards
justice. That’s extremely hopeful. You have to believe that if you’re going to
keep fighting injustice.
And the chorus is my own beliefs about how society could work. No borders, no
walls, free movement of people, no cops, no laws. This tune was also somewhat
inspired by “The Stars andStripes of Corruption” by Dead Kennedys, which I
think is the most beautiful summation of everything Jello had been yelling
about to that point. And it’s a hopeful tune! “We gotta rise above the need for
cops and laws.” I love that line. The idea that’s on us to change our own
thinking in our own lives and apply that globally. These people who want more
cops, more military, they just don’t see: those guns can be just as easily
trained on you. No one is safe. I’d say I absolutely lean toward anarchism, but
maybe haven’t done enough of the readings yet to fully identify as an
anarchist.
3. Can you share more about the evolution of ‘WORLDSUCKS' sound, especially
with the addition of Tony Doucet on bass? How has this influenced your music
and message?Mark- We
have had a few watershed moments over the years ,where we were writing songs we
liked and had fun playing and all ,but I think 2016 when we wrote “Separatist”
Laid the first real foundation both musically and lyrically . The tune is my
perception of what society largely thinks of anarchy as. by that I mean, it’s
to question your government, hold cops accountable, believe women!, Like,
basically being labeled an anarchist for just generally being a decent fucking
person. Another one was “Unlivable Hell” it’s about the struggle of
Palestinians without a home, rights, or sovereignty, facing oppression and
genocide in their own lands. I really tried to write it point of view, to try
to really get across the lack of humanity and the struggle for survival that
Palestinians face daily. While also celebrating their unbreakable spirit and
fight. So for me it was these songs that were really essential in shaping where
we are now. Well, Toney we have known him for many years, and when we were
discussing how our sound was going to evolve we kept hitting limitations coming
up with things we wanted to do that were just physically limited as a Duo, So,
Toney was the first name that rang out and was the obvious choice. We know him,
we trust and love him, and that's essential because now, we're bringing someone
into a band that has been around for 10 years, a band that stands
uncompromising and unflinching in the things we try to do and what we want our
band and our message to represent, and also into a 30 year friendship, So it
has to be someone who is supportive of those things, and find your own place
within that and I imagine that's a lot to process but, I already feels like he
has been with us for years. Toney, just gets it, like He has ability to create
something new within what's already there like, rather than just moving in he’s
built an extension on the house, y’know Paint by numbers doesn't jive with us,
and it would be very simple to check a box, to just learn songs join a band
that has this extensive back catalog of material but no, Toney immediately
reinvents these songs , contributes new ideas. In just a few practices you can
hear the instant we all lock in and have a second nature to each other.
4. "No Fucks Given" is a tribute to Kevin Scully. Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind this song and what Kevin meant to the band?
Mark - This
is the second complete song we wrote as a band! and here it is, all these years
and releases later and it’s coming out into the world. So yeah, Kevin was my
brother and more right to say my father, I think this song brings the listener
along through my life with him and serves as something of a eulogy? It's very
much a chronology of when I could summon my first memory all the way to the end
of our earth journey together. None of the lyrics are exaggerated, or like an
attempt to make something more dramatic, it's just raw and encapsulated
experiences we shared, I was 3 years old and he bought me Kiss Alive at a
Caldor, anyone remember that joint?, I was 7 and he put Lynyrd Skynyrd on and
changed my life..forever!, I was called and told he passed away and it started
thundering and lightning and Freebird came on ‘Q104.3’, I wanted to share real
moments. I liken seeing my first KISS record, or hearing the first hit of
Workin for MCA to maybe, the first parade a kid goes to, or sees fireworks or
some shit. Nothing like that moved me but music did, it’s all I ever had and or
wanted to do. We were connected so deeply in all things we would do together
and most of it was based in , Shows, or Record Stores, that was livin to me! He
just wasn't ever not there until he wasn’t, also, Nick is closer to me than
anyone and He and kevin shared such a bond and friendship as well , So it’s
very cathartic for me this song is coming out on what will be our final release
as a duo. The solo on this record was actually played using one of Kevin's Les
Paul's. He left it to me when he passed on, and this guitar has hung on my wall
since 2013. I made a point to never change the strings cause he played on those
and I really panicked playing it in the studio but, I had to but now I feel
like a piece of him is in this song. I just love that its finally coming out
and it makes the most sense to do it now.
5. Your tour spans across several cities, each with its unique atmosphere
and audience. How do you adapt your performances to connect with different
crowds while staying true to your message?
Mark -I
don’t think we adapt to anything really, and that has been the most sincere way
to stay true to anything we do. like we are who we are at any show, venue, or
place. I think when we are booking these shows for all different cities, we
certainly set out to find lineups and bands that are, somewhat like minded. But
It's less about genre and more about finding those communities and our people .
So, when doing emails and messaging or cold calling, (yes I still do that). We
always tell bands and venues what we are about and the purpose of our tour or,
what foundation, or what cause it's benefiting. I mean, this way we're not just
gonna show up in Florida and be like “HEY YOUR GOVERNOR FUCKING SUCKS AND
SHOULD TAKE A LONG WALK OFF A SHORT PIER” and raise that many eyebrows! I mean,
hopefully we raise some haha. We know we are not for everyone, and were fine
with that. But we're gonna be who we are for everyone no matter what.
6. Your decision not to release songs on streaming services like Spotify is
intriguing. What led to this choice, and how do you think it impacts your reach
and connection with your audience?
Nick - WORLDSUCKS
loves a boycott. Haha. But, our old stuff is actually all on there now because
we decided, why limit how people can hear us? Also, we use streaming services
ourselves—albeit, some of the “better” ones like Tidal and Qobuz.
But, for this single release, we decided to keep it off the services for now.
We wanted it to be sort of a special, somewhat exclusive tour thing—vinyl and
cassingles. It’ll also be up on Bandcamp for that dying breed who still
downloads digital files .
Once the tour is over, though, onto the streamers it will go—because, I think
you’re right, it does affect how people connect with us. I’m all for pushing
back against realities I hate, but this one started to seem like we were
placing obstacles in front of people who actually want to hear us—which really
isn’t that many!
We don’t play the game fully, though. We’re not looking at our numbers or our
followers, or necessarily actively building that. Not even as a stance, but I
just don’t think it’s on our radar like that.
7. With the new single "NO!/GO!" and the upcoming album, what can
fans expect in terms of musical direction and thematic exploration? Mark - Definitely
can anticipate a leveling up of our musical ability and songwriting. We have
just, so many ideas and they are constantly changing from instruments to
effects to vocal harmonies , hell!, we don’t even know yet how it's gonna play.
We only know folks will always be able to rely on WORLDSUCKS being WORLDSUCKS.
I think that's the most exciting part of this next record and material, it’s
just so fucking open!. It may be our heaviest record in numerous ways, sure,
tunes are gonna be ferocious but maybe the heaviest part will come from the
lyrics! Nick Man!, just is such a unique drummer truly, think if Clive Burr,
Lucky Leir, Dave Lombardo and Keith Moon were blended and that's Nick. And,
that's just a microcosm! of his talents. its wild, but now! The lyrics and
vocal style he’s contributing have completely paved a new road for us. and I
think we're starting to create songs in the spirit of Baez, Dylan, Seeger and
Guthrie. We're still metal and punk and loud, We are absolutely still rooted in
that, but we are noticeably pivoting with each song.
8. How do you navigate the balance between creating music that reflects frustration and activism while also offering a sense of hope and empowerment to your listeners?
Nick - I
honestly don’t think we do balance it enough. NO!/GO! is an attempt to start to
do that more. I think maybe the balance comes with our tours and shows where we
try to raise money and/or consciousness about issues or people facing
oppression. But, I feel strongly about needing to use whatever platform we have
not to beat everyone down with only what’s wrong. We have to use our tunes more
to be part of some solution. But that is also where our individual and group
activism comes in, too. I’d like to do more of that under the WORLDSUCKS
banner, so people know we’re not just hollering from stages, we’re in the
streets, too.
9.The tour coincides with the release of your new 7". How do you plan
to integrate these new tracks into your live performances, and what experiences
do you hope audiences take away from these shows?
Mark - These
songs are not really new to the set. We have actually played them for years
now. like , ‘NO!/GO!’ We were playing as an instrumental last tour , and then
we added some lyrics that we were like…ok, I think we like it?, and then there
is that inevitable no sir, I don’t like IT!, We always know when it’s done or
when it is a ‘WORLDSUCKS’ song. I think our best litmus test though is to see
how the people respond, I can see that reaction and can make those connections
pretty quick when a lyric or, a diatribe, a riff or whatever, just hits!. Also
like we're playing a tune night in and night out, and I can feel if we are
getting bored of it and disinterested, Like our biggest “anthem” we don’t much
play anymore unless it’s by request. We also love playing varying set lists
each night. I think I have seen the newer stuff resonating with the audience so
much more because, (and this is the best compliment the band has ever
received), “because everything about us is, authentic” . So, every show I hope
the audience is walking away feeling that they got absolute authenticity , that
we have given our bloody best, and gave whatever we had in the tank that night,
If the people get that!, i’m good.
10. Touring can be both exhilarating and challenging. What are some
memorable moments from past tours, and how do you prepare yourselves for the
intensity of being on the road?
Nick - It is definitely both those things. It’s fun to exist in an alternate
reality for a while. I’m perpetually planning to get in better physical shape
ahead of tours, and then failing. It’s a grueling set, especially as we get
older—to say nothing of loading way too much gear for two people in and out of
the clubs! But somehow, we’re still able to bring it every night.
We had one tour, pre-pandemic, where in the same tour we met two celebrities
(to us): the main dude in Green Jelly and Mike from Bongzilla. Both of them
were at the venues we were playing, just hanging out. The memories are hazy
from that, but it was a thrill. I think Mike dug us.
Our last tour, we took over this very sleepy karaoke night in Akron, Ohio.
There was a small group of regulars who kept going up and doing songs. So, we
decided to jump into the fray. Mark did “Gimme Three Steps” from Skynyrd and I
did “Ace of Spades.” Everyone there freaked out; they thought we were like
professional singers. Shows you how low the bar was!
There’s probably other stuff I’m forgetting. Another thing I plan to do each
tour, and then fail at, is keeping a journal. Maybe this one. Things don’t get
too crazy out there for us. We’re either too scary (Mark) or too goofy (me).
Nick - I go
back and forth on this. The idea that “music can change the world” is a little
Pollyanna for me. I think you have to back it up with actual action, and I
think more musicians do that now than maybe did in the 60s where music started
to get that reputation as a driver of social change. It’s intertwined for sure,
but there are tons of people doing the real work necessary to effect change who
don’t write songs. We definitely want to get more involved in direct actions. I
think this tour, and past tours, contributes to us using whatever tiny platform
we have to actually make some kind of difference, whether through money or just
speaking out. But, I think you gotta be about it all the time. If we only were
addressing issues for 40 min on stage, it wouldn’t be enough.
But, I love seeing artists, celebrities, athletes, etc, speaking up about
issues—when they’re on the right side of things, anyway. The genocide in Gaza
is really showing you what people are about, either through their solidarity,
their silence, or their siding with the power. Music can and should be the
soundtrack to the revolution; but, it isn’t the revolution in and of itself.
12. Your social media presence seems integral to your band's identity and
message. How do you use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to engage with
your audience and further your activism?
Mark - For
me personally there's no filter between my mind and WORLDSUCKS. If it's
something I wanna say, or want to get people hip to supporting, We have this
Social Media prescence, why not use it?. Likely i’m gonna say the same shit to
you at a bar or in a conversation that your hearing me say on a record so, fuck
it!. If you're engaging with the band , you might as well know what we are
about. We have a decent amount of followers and why not use our online platform
like we would a microphone or a stage, to help in amplifying voices,
organizations, and causes! a Decent amount of shows we have done and are going
to do are fundraisers or to highlight a cause we feel strongly about, and want
to contribute to helping. So, we're promoting that! But, also posting events we
are going to be attending and marching at, or demonstrations and disruptions.
even if we're not attending, we want people to know what's happening out there
and where and how they can get involved. I think in and through those posts,
you start to generate these side conversations from people that are interested
in hearing a perspective that’s, NOT!, manufactured or “approved” content. That
engagement is essential to get people thinking or unlearning. Just a quick
example here, We had a message saying I never knew the extent of the atrocities
of what was going on in GAZA!, till I started reading your stories!. I mean
just that , that person is gonna talk to someone, or get engaged and it's one
more person then there was. So, amplifying through the band on a stage and on
social platforms seems like a no brainer.
13. Are there any particular venues or cities on this upcoming tour that
you're especially excited about performing in? If so, what makes them stand
out?
Mark - We just take each city as it comes but, yeah this tour maybe, Memphis? We went to the ‘STAX’ records museum last time we were there and it was incredible, would love to go back! But, damn it’s just a blast for me in every city, every venue. We often see friends we made or had moved to other states, there's that! and especially you know with me and Nick, this is the last time as a Duo, likely, I don’t know, It always just flies by laughing or doing some nonsense that follows us home. Maybe something we heard that gave us a laugh or a sign on the highway, some pun we’ll be saying for the next 10 years or something man, I don’t know, you just have to be out with us. We are always just gonna make the best of a show. Whether it's a packed Saturday or poorly attended Tuesday, it doesn't matter we're out there doing it! on our terms, and it’s the greatest thing in the world.
14. Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for WORLDSUCKS, both musically and in terms of activism? How do you envision the band's impact evolving over time?
Nick - Musically, we’re getting more expansive, incorporating different sounds, getting weirder, and dare I say, more psychedelic. Bringing in Tony Doucet on bass is really opening things up, especially for Mark, who can do different stuff on guitar without losing any heaviness. We’re a metal band, I guess, but we’re definitely interested in expanding what a metal band can do, in our own way. We’re definitely looking to become further involved in activism. We live in different areas, so we’re covering different ground in terms of being in the streets and who we’re connecting with. I’m definitely interested in getting more involved in direct actions, learning more about organizing, continuing to find the people already doing the work and supporting in any way I can. And, as I said earlier, I would really love to start doing actions under the band banner, not as self-promotion, but just to demonstrate that our activism, our worldview, our belief system are inextricable from the band. They’re one and the same. I’d like for us to reflect that more.
Mark - With the music, I think all of us are really digging it. We’re all really ecstatic for what's to come, and we will be able to create together. It's just an incredible transformation of, what was, to, what is. It’s just opened up this sonic universe of creativity and truly limitless exploration. It’s also rewarding that we are writing and performing our best!, 10 years into this. As far as activism? I mean, who knows how much more horrendous shit is gonna need to be undone before the bomb smoke clears. But. Rome wasn’t burnt in a day. We are currently working with some amazing community organizers and foundations to put together a Festival to raise money for 'Unrwa'. It will be based on music, art, poetry, and ultimately, celebrating Palestinian culture. I can definitely see we are just going to be more engaged and involved than ever.worldsucks | Instagram | Linktree
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