Scrap Kids - Sound In The Signals Interview

I recently had the chance to interview Scrap Kids. Check out the full interview after the jump!

For anyone who hasn't heard of your project can you tell me a little bit about how and why you started Scrap Kids?

Scrap Kids started back in August 2010. Originally it was my friend Jon and I playing together. Our previous bands had played together numerous times, usually every weekend. I was still in high school at the time, and the band I was in was a Ska Punk band. Jon's band also had a few Ska Punk songs in their set. They used to cover Operation Ivy, and The Code. Haha. After both of our bands broke up we eventually started talking about jamming together. At the time, we wanted to do more like Reggae and Dub influenced stuff. We also listened to a lot of Desmond Dekker. Naturally though, the first four songs we wrote just ended up being acoustic Ska Punk songs. Since then, Jon has parted ways with Scrap Kids and the music basically just shifts in and out of genres depending on what ever mood I'm in. I still think it's cohesive though.


You have a split cassette coming out on Cool Shoes with Oklahoma Car Crash. What was the writing process like for your half of the split? Also how did it work out for Cool Shoes to put this out?

The writing process was pretty painful. Mainly just due to the lyrical content of the songs. A good friend of mine passed away a little over a year ago, and two of the songs were written about that. I wrote those songs for my friends. Learning how to cope is really hard. And on top of all that, the other song is about the death of my Grandfather through the eyes of my Grandmother. So, yeah. Sad shit. As far as Cool Shoes putting out the split, I've known Dakota Bahney for some time now. Nat and I brought up the idea to her about releasing it and she was into it. So, fuck yeah!

Also GoxRecords and YOULOOKLIKESHIT just recently pressed your 2012 EP IJust Want to Play In Living Rooms. What do you think of the pressing of the EP? Would you like to see any of your other past releases come out on vinyl?

I'm really happy with how it turned out. It sounds awesome, and I'm so happy I got to work with both of those labels. Two awesome dudes that really do awesome things for DIY. Can't thank them enough. And honestly, I'm kinda trying to move forward. I'm not really one to live in the past. If anyone ever wanted to put out any of my past releases out on vinyl, it would be cool. But it doesn't really matter to me. I'm looking towards the future.


As far as a new album or EP do you have anything planned for 2014?

The first Scrap Kids LP will be released here in the next few months. It's full band. I'm really excited for people to hear it. I'm very proud of it. My friend Matt Very recorded the record and through all of my bullshit and stupidity, he's been nothing but patient and awesome. He's the man. Couldn't be happier with how it sounds, and the direction we decided to take with this album. Plus, there is organ in it. All I've ever wanted is organ playing that sounds like Rancid's organ playing on one of my records. Haha. We're also talking about doing a split with That Really Awesome Guy With A Guitar (TRAGWAG) which would be so awesome. Really stoked for that!

You've been playing more full band shows recently. What can fans expect when they come to a show that is different with the full band as opposed to just seeing you solo? Have you changed the pacing of any songs or changed things around?

Some things are different. But the overall vibe is still the same I think. With the full band we tend to play more new songs, and less old songs. The old songs sound a lot bigger full band. Regardless of whether I play acoustic or full band the set always has a lot of energy. I think the full band helps to augment the sound and energy. It gives it more background and substance which is sick. As far as what the fans think, I honestly have no idea. I don't think they really know what to expect at all. Most people consider what I do to be Folk Punk because a lot of the acts I play with are Folk Punk acts. So I think that some people may think that full band is actually just a full band acoustic ensemble as opposed to an electric band. Lately, I've been really into playing more full band shows. Mainly because it's so fresh and new. I'm just stoked for people to hear the new album. The full band sets will make way more sense after people hear the record.

I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have any closing comments you'd like to make?

Keep a look out for the new album! It should be out this spring, and we'll be doing some extensive touring to support the album come late summer! And thanks guys! You rule!