A new album release from Juice Falls ties together some classic genres like alternative rock and pop punk while keeping things edgy and well-rounded, embedding more hooks than you can handle, and giving off a particular energy that creates an atmosphere for the album and makes everything just feel great to listen to.
The Lakeshore Drive album is a bit of a storyteller and to some it may even feel like it's a concept record, and it just may be.
Either way these songs have a way of connecting to each other in some great ways and the whole thing carries with it an aesthetic that sort of fills the air around you unless you swim through everything.
You definitely get some of that almost underground alternative rock tonality that was really popular in the 90s kind of bleeding through with a lot of these songs and it's down to the performance in the songwriting that makes that happen.
You get different vocals that bounce off of each other and harmonize in different sections along with guitar hooks that are bendy and fun, but you never lose that harder edge no matter what happens.
The drumming is absolutely ridiculous on this record and definitely helps push some of that pop punk undertone but all in all I think that one of the most astounding things about this record is the straight up honesty.
There's so much truth in the lyrical content and at times it feels like these are things that might have been hard to say out loud and maybe that's why they became songs in general.
So, you get this great personal songwriting feel throughout this alternative rock record and it makes perfect sense.
When the record isn't rocking super hard, you do get a bit of a different tonality as well that borders on almost a post-punk feel which is really a little surprising but fits in extremely well somehow.
When those guitar tones are clean instead of distorted the whole songwriting format sort of changes and it works really well.
You kind of get a little bit of a sound that makes you think of bands like The Cure in a way. And with that in itself you can start to feel some of the other influences bleeding through and this is really part of why listening to this album the whole way through is of the utmost importance.
Even the songs that are post-punkish to start off with become big and melodically heavier and bring to mind bands like Hum or Far.
This definitely has tons of layers to be peeled back and it's a lot of fun to do that.
Just have a good swim through this progressive rock opus and let it engulf you for a while because it just feels awesome to do so.
With the release of such a wondrous record, we wanted to have a sit-down with Juice Falls to find out where this actually came from and what might be coming up next for the band.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: How did you all get together as a band?
Juice: Some classmates and I started Juice over ten years ago now. It was just for one show at our school's battle of the bands, but we just kept playing. Over the years members have come and gone and the lineup has changed, but the guys we have now stepped up and filled those roles. The current group has been together for over five years now under the name “Juice Falls” and it feels great playing together. We’re like the Power Rangers but less athletic.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you guys?
Bern: It truly depends on the song for me. Some songs are a direct response to something happening in my life, others could be inspired by something I heard a stranger say and I wanted to build lyrics around it. Every song and moment is different.
Jawn: Heavy drums and big riffs (or vice versa). I’m not really a lyrics guy but I’m a sucker for witty lines and funny hahas.
Jay: Like Bern said, it mostly depends on the song. I sort of rely on the other guys being prolific because I’m a SUPER slow song writer, so I usually come up with a riff or a melody and the toil over building it for a month or two. But when one of the other guys comes up with a song structure it frees me up to think outside the box to build upon the song. I love that we have multiple writing members because it lets us each play to our strengths.
Brady: I get inspired by the songs I listen to or by just playing around with the guitar and playing something that I think could be cool to work with and play. I don’t do any lyric stuff so what I add comes in the form of (hopefully) sick riffs
Spencer: I’m new to writing with JF but In general I get inspired but connecting with people on an emotional level.
Buzz Slayers: Can you guys give us some of your biggest influences musically?
Bern: Third Eye Blind, Turnover, The Wonder Years, Wu Tang Clan
Jawn: Helmet, Hum, Weezer, Microwave, King’s X
Jay: Blink 182, Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith, Taking Back Sunday, Senses Fail
Brady: everything from every genre I can’t truly pick out certain things
Spencer: anything 90s alt and grunge!!, Citizen, Basement, Julien Baker.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Bern: Reading Mafia and Star Wars novels, watching Pacer games, and hanging with my friends, family and girlfriend
John: Going to shows, GAMING, and hangin with my wife and cat. Also a real job.
Jay: Playing Pokémon or Zelda games (the only games I play), cooking, chilling with my wife and cats, and teaching/tutoring!
Brady: Work and hanging out with the family
Spencer: I really enjoy Working out! I also love playing D&D and riding my motorcycle
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
Bern: Tatakae, Day Wave, Beach Bunny, Webbed Wing, GZA,
John: Saturdays at your place, Helmet, Weezer, Dio’s “Holy Diver,” equipment_ohio
Jay: Chinese Football, Christian Lee Hutson, Jazz for Autumn playlist on Spotify, Alvvays
Brady: Joji, Norma Jean, Polyphia, The Chats, Bilmuri, turnover
Spencer: Marcus King, Webbed Wing, Boy Genius, and Nelly Furtado (always)
Buzz Slayers: Are you guys doing any live performances right now?
We have two release shows for Lake Side Drive:
2/9 in Logansport, IN at the legendary Bonus Pints
2/17 at the also legendary Healer DIY in Indianapolis, IN.
For the rest of the spring… just keep your calendars clear for April, that’s all I have to say about that for now…
Buzz Slayers: Did you guys record yourselves or hit a big studio for this?
Juice: For this record we did three of the songs in 2020 in the apartment above the Hoosier Dome and then the other four at an actual studio space, all seven with the Indianapolis audio legend himself, Cam Breen. Cam could get “big studio” quality out of a bathroom. Breen did all of the producing, engineering and editing for all seven songs, and for mastering we once again went with Andy VanDette. Andy is one of the best in the world at what he does and we are so honored to have him and Engine Room Audio behind us.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
Juice: Lots of shows and sweet sweet musical content. We are hoping to play more venues around the city and meet new faces. More music videos, and maybe even another little documentary! Hopefully a good amount of touring (take us on tour plz).
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Bern: As always, just thank you for listening. Thank you for your support and inspiring us to keep going. We have more on the way!
Jawn: A day without gaming is like… just kidding, I have no idea. Stick around, you’re the reason we get to do this, love you goodnight.
Jay: Making music is so fun and it’s so much more fun when people are into it, so thank you for being into it!
Brady: Same as bern here. Thanks for checking out our music and I hope you enjoy
Spencer: THANKS FOR BEING HERE!
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