Boss’ Daughter took the time out to chat with us about their music and song writing process. Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
CHRIS: Every band needs a name. When we started playing together, a handful of ideas flew around, like Good Buy, which we used as the name of our first demo. The guitar player in Jamie’s other band, Beercan!, had Boss’ Daughter sitting around in his list of potential band names and had no plans to actually use it. It just seemed to be the best one of the bunch, for whatever reason, and we went with it.
JAMIE: It really just came out of necessity. We had a full set of music and were ready to start playing shows but didn’t have a name. I, Jamie, play in another Reno band, Beercan!, and we used to come up with fictitious band names. “Boss’ Daughter” happened to be one of them and it was actually in reference to a vehicle, not a person. Basically, it’s a tongue in cheek joke band name that was in my mind the day we were talking names. We almost went with “Good Buy”. That probably would have been questioned less. Haha.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
CHRIS: I played my first show at twelve years old and haven’t stopped playing in punk rock bands since. My longest running project, Vampirates, will turn 20 this year. The years spent touring in Vampirates paved the way for Bossy D to be able to tour as much as we do.
JAMIE: Nirvana had entered my earlobes in 8th grade and I had to learn how to play guitar. My sister took me to guitar/bass lessons throughout High School and I played in bands but I always wanted to be a drummer. In college I met 3 friends that would become the band Beercan! and they were patient enough to let me play drums. After years of Beercan! playing shows with Chris’ various bands, the two of us decided to get in a jam shack together. Chris had a bunch of songs for his solo project and me adding drums gave them a new feel. Danny then came into the picture and gave the songs a whole new melody and life. We’ve been playing together for 8 years now and I feel like we only get better and that the best is still to come.
How would you describe your sound?
CHRIS: Melodic skate punk? I don’t know. Fast tempos, complex chord progressions, memorable melodies, relatable lyrics, and incredible basslines. Smiles all around.
JAMIE:I once heard Chris say something along the lines of, “we play songs of the musical variety”. I really like that but my quick answer is skate punk.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
CHRIS: I grew up playing along to albums by bands like Good Riddance, Lagwagon, NOFX, and Dillinger Escape Plan. I studied jazz and classical guitar for many years, and I’m sure that comes out in my playing, as well. I’m also a huge Jeff Rosenstock fan. Those Bomb The Music Industry! albums absolutely shaped my songwriting.
JAMIE: Going back to the skate punk thing, a lot of my early influences come from 90’s Fat Wreck Chords compilations and bands like Lagwagon, NOFX, Propagandhi… During the start of the band it was more punk festivals like The FEST and Pouzza Fest regulars such as The Menzingers, Red City Radio, Cobra Skulls… Currently, I can’t stop listening to A Wilhelm Scream, Himiko Cloud, and Louis the Child.
What’s the last song you listened to?
CHRIS: Billy The Mountain – Frank Zappa
JAMIE: Fade Away – Louis the Child.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
CHRIS: I end up listening to a lot of bands we play with on tour. I also keep up with bands I’m already into and check out their new albums whenever they come out.
JAMIE: Honestly, touring has introduced me to most new music. Traveling the land and playing with locals in whatever city you’re in that night has been a great way to find new music. On the other hand, there’s Spotify. I hate how streaming services screw over bands but they make music really accessible. But still, I truly love supporting touring music and discovering new bands in that more organic way.
Who is your dream producer?
CHRIS: I think it would be cool to work with someone who makes music unlike what we do, perhaps Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (The Mars Volta), or Matt Bayles (Minus The Bear)?
JAMIE: Hmm, that’s a good question. We just saw Jeff Rosenstock and he is a musical genius so I’ll go with Jeff at the moment.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
CHRIS: I’m lucky enough to already be in bands with some of my favorite musicians in the world, but it would be awesome to write some music with Ian Cook and Andrew Carew of Larry And His Flask.
JAMIE: Diplo.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
CHRIS: Most of my early memories involve music, one way or another. My dad is a musician so there were always guitars around the house, it was inevitable that I’d eventually pick one up. Music has provided me with a life full of friends, family, and the ability to travel the world. It’s all that I know.
JAMIE: My sister pointed me in the right direction musically at an early age. Of course MTV bands made being a rockstar look cool but the local scene and bands my sister showed me and booked shows for made it seem accessible. It was all so inspiring and now it’s super rad being on the other end. Not like I’m changing lives but showing folks that with a little talent, some great friends, and some big dreams you can do anything is really rewarding.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
CHRIS: For this new record, “Bouts With Bummers,” I typically would demo most of the songs on my own as I write them, usually just guitar and root note bass. Then Jamie and I get together and record drum tracks, and Danny adds bass lines as he comes up with them. Lyrics are often the last step of the process, and take the most time. Every song is different, of course. A handful of songs, like “Imaginary Arguments” and “Religious Convenience,” were musically written by Danny and we arranged them all as a band.
JAMIE: At first, Chris had a bunch of songs ready for his solo act and we turned those into full band arrangements. Chris still brings most all ideas to the table but the writing process is a little more cohesive. Danny has always created insane bass lines but now contributes more riffs and lyrical content. I just try to throw in some cool drum beats I find on Instagram. Shout out to @mc20Money, @deitchadam, @wojtek_deregowski, and @kjrias.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
CHRIS: We’re always working our own merch table at shows. We’re also on all of the internet places bands usually are active. Send us a message and we’re likely to respond.
JAMIE: The best way we connect with our audience is by sleeping on their floor. Haha. We’ve made so many wonderful friendships through touring and needing a place to sleep after the show. Those floors become our homes away from home and those hosts become dear friends. Also, Chris writes some very meaningful and relatable lyrics. They keep getting better and better and each song strikes a different feel. Lastly, we can always be found lurking around our merch table and we love talking about hot sauce. We are often tired but are never too cool to make new friends.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vbR0VARH9RGLTL7ertdww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNxbfVNzQwA (video for new single “Away”)
http://bossdaughter.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/bossdaughterreno
http://bossdaughter.com/epk-for-booking (epk with all of the info)
What’s next for you?
CHRIS: Upon release of “Bouts With Bummers” we’re planning to tour more than ever. We’ve got a full year of dates planned already with no plans to slow down.
JAMIE: Tour, tour, tour to support the new album.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
CHRIS: Thank you for the questions! Hope to see y’all at a show sometime soon!
JAMIE: Can we sleep on your floor? We’ll do your dishes.
Bio:
Boss’ Daughter – Reno, NV Punk Rock
Chris Fox – Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone
Jamie Locks – Drums, Vocals
Danny Paul – Bass, Vocals
SBÄM Records
Formed in 2014, Boss’ Daughter is one of the hardest working bands in the underground punk scene. They’ve played over 475 shows across seven countries, with major headlining and underground acts like Rise Against, Pennywise, Jeff Rosenstock, The Ataris, PEARS, Bridge City Sinners, Bad Cop/Bad Cop, and many more.
Simmering in punk, they create their own undefinable sound with harmonizing gang vocals, haunted screams, catchy melodies, and a thrashing, crusty edge, all topped with a sprinkling of horns. One thing’s for sure, Boss’ Daughter is on a mission to make sure everyone is having a good time.
The group started as Fox’s solo project but quickly blossomed into a trio-with Chris Fox, Danny Paul, Jamie Locks, and occasionally John Underwood on horns for live shows. They released their debut album, Songs are Songs, in 2015 and followed up with 2016’s Sleep EP.
For the next couple of years the band constantly toured, playing everywhere from bars to large venues and festivals including Montreal’s Pouzza Fest, Ironfest, and Florida’s The Fest, which they’ve played the past five years in a row. The boys have also appeared on Bridge City Sessions and Reno’s own, Worst Little Podcast.
Their most recent releases include three 7″ records, 2019’s Ace of BAC/DC b/w Built Up To This, 2021’s Old Friends four-way split 7″ on Iron Fest Records, and 2022’s Okay Photography on SBÄM Records. Having recently signed with SBÄM Records, a new full-length album is finished and is slated for release February 10, 2023.
