Chicago pop punkers Knuckle Puck are about to make their first trip to Australia as support for Wonder Years. We caught up guitarist Kevin Maida to talk about their newest album Copacetic and what they plan to do whilst in the land down under.
SCENEzine
Firstly how has 2016 been so far for Knuckle Puck?
Kevin Maida
It’s been great, honestly. We just finished a US tour with Neck Deep, State Champs and Like Pacific, and now we’re currently on tour with Seaway and Boston Manor overseas in the UK and Europe.
SCENEzine
Your newest album Copacetic is awesome start to finish. Are you stoked with how it turned out?
Kevin Maida
Most definitely. We’re all very pleased with how everything turned out
SCENEzine
Can you tell us about the album artwork and what it represents?
Kevin Maida
Nick came up with the concept and thought it would be cool if all of us picked one item that held sentimental meaning to us. We all picked our items and had Ben Sears draw it up.
SCENEzine
Our favourite track from the album is “disdain”. Can you tell us about the writing process for that song?
Kevin Maida
We pretty much demoed it out and it honestly didn’t change too much from the original demo. We obviously changed little things here and there, but it was one of the first songs we wrote for the record that didn’t really become augmented from it’s original state.
SCENEzine
You just recently released a video for “Pretense”. Can you tell us about the storyline for the video?
Kevin Maida
Our friend Miguel Barbosa came up with the video storyline and he wanted the video to have a Wes Anderson feel to it and we were all very down with that. He basically had the idea of us being like a “family”, living in the same house and our manager/father figure kicks Joe out of the band and he bosses us around.
SCENEzine
Another great video you did was for “no good” was that a fun video to make? And did it take her long to get the paint off?
Kevin Maida
We actually weren’t there for the acting segment of the video, but I hope so.
SCENEzine
Knuckle Puck and Real Friends are part of a new wave of pop punk style bands representing Chicago. Like other Chicago greats Fall Out Boy & Mest before you.
What do you think it is about Chicago that seems to produce so many great punk influenced bands?
Kevin Maida
I’m not really sure what it is about Chicago, but I think we have to owe it to bands like Fall Out Boy, Mest, Alkaline Trio and such for creating a landscape for bands like us to exist in the first place.
SCENEzine
Speaking of Real Friends I’m guessing both bands are great friends how long have you known those guys?
Kevin Maida
We’ve known them since 2011/2012. We would play local shows together and all that stuff, so it’s been very cool to watch them become as successful as they are throughout the years.
SCENEzine
Knuckle Puck songs have a lot of emotion behind them. How do you feel that people worldwide are turning to your music to help them through relationship breakups
and hard times?
Kevin Maida
It’s great. I’m glad that anybody can relate to our band in any kind of way at all.
SCENEzine
You guys must be excited to be coming to Australia soon with Wonder Years. Is there anything you really want to do while in Australia?
Kevin Maida
Hold a koala, go to some beaches, explore, hike, etc. We just want to see as much of Australia as we possibly can while we’re there.
SCENEzine
Knuckle Puck do a great cover of “chocolate” by 1975. Any chance you might play that at one of your Australian
Kevin Maida
Nah hahah we’re going to try as many of our own songs as possible, especially since it’ll be our first time in Australia.
SCENEzine
Lastly can you leave us with a message for your Australian fans who can’t wait for the tour?
Kevin Maida
We’re all super happy to finally be touring Australia and we cannot wait to visit your wonderful country.
(interview by Christian Ross)
