Strike Twelve took a bit of time out to tell us about their music and how they write it. Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
Dan: We’ve been a band for a long time, so at 16 years old after band practice we would head over to the bowling alley. Matt and Joe were actually really good, and competed hoping to hit a perfect game: twelve strikes. While they battled it out on the lanes, I had my own battle going on, Dance Dance Revolution. I beat that ass, it’s like scrolling sheet music for your feet.
Matt: When Joe came up with the name it made me instantly think of a fairy tale in which things will change at the stroke of midnight. To me it represents a fresh start or a reset to a new day every time that clock Strikes Twelve.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
Matt: Musical past was really just trying to figure out my instrument and I used to be somewhat of a slow non motivated learner. It took me a while to find a guitar teacher I really liked. James Mesina is my musical mentor and hero. He kept me into it and helped us in the very beginning stages.
Joe: Got a guitar for Christmas in seventh grade and never put it down. When I started thinking about joining a band, everyone else played guitar too so I kind of fell into bass.
How would you describe your sound?
Matt: I feel our sound is forever stuck in the mid 90’s, which in my opinion is the best era for this style of punk.
Joe: 90s influenced three-piece punk rock with a lot of melody and harmony.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Matt: The Vandals, Bad Religion, NOFX, The Offspring, Unwritten Law, Lagwagon and throw in some Green Day too.
Joe: See above. See also Pulley, Diesel Boy, Nerf Herder, Blink 182 Dude Ranch era, Strung Out, Propagandhi.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Matt: Highway To Hell AC/DC (it’s fun to listen to on my way to work in the morning)
Dan : Roman Reigns entrance music. I listen to it in the shower and pretend I’m the tribal chief. Hell of a way to start the day, you should try it.
Joe: I’ve been really into the new Frenzal Rhomb record. “Gone to the Dogs”
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Joe: When I see flyers from bands I know, I check out the other bands they’re playing with. Bandcamp, Youtube, etc. If I like it, I order the record. I also follow a lot of labels (Thousand Islands, People of Punk Rock, Felony, Fat Wreck, etc). When they announce a new release, I check out the single and if it sounds like something I like, I’ll buy it. I like to have the physical record, but do most of my listening by downloading the mp3s onto my phone.
Matt: Mainly Joe, he’s always giving me suggestions on who to check out.
Who is your dream producer?
Matt: Rob Cavallo, Jerry Finn too if he were still alive.
Joe: I bet the Blasting Room could really make our shit sparkle.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Matt: Dan and Joe.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
Dan: I believe that you don’t choose your instrument, your instrument chooses you. My house was filled with music and the drums and I were instantly drawn to each other. I’m actually pretty good at recognizing a person’s instrument. I can take one look at a band before a show and tell you who plays what with incredible accuracy.
Matt: I used to bang on pots and pans and aimlessly strum on one of my mom’s acoustic guitars. The Beach Boys got me into music as a very young child and I liked dancing in the living room with my sister. Then when Dookie came out I switched gears and stayed in that lane forever. From there, I was able to discover more non mainstream acts alike.
Joe: I got into Nirvana in 6th grade. Got a guitar for Christmas in 7th grade and started learning a bunch of Nirvana, Green Day, etc. Then in 8th grade I went to Warped Tour 99 and came home with all the Nitro, Fat Wreck, Punk O Rama comps. Met Dan and Matt in 9th grade and realized how fun it is playing that stuff with other people. I’ve jammed with other bands and stuff periodically but Strike Twelve specifically has a natural chemistry that just makes it so effortless and fun.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Joe: Matt or I will write the skeleton of the song with most of the lyrics. Then the other person will pick it apart. Matt’s really good at knocking it all out in one night with a bunch of Coors Lights. Mine comes in several waves and takes months. I tend to pick at it a lot. Haha I also tend to pick at his songs a lot once he shows them to me. Then when we record them, we usually come up with more cool little things like harmonies and extra guitar parts to make it more interesting.
Matt: I don’t have much of a process. Misc. random melodies and rhythms pop into my head all day long and when one really sticks out to me I’ll jot it down. However I do enjoy this process “Drink beer, write song, record terrible version on iphone voice memos and send to Dan and Joe”. Dan is my biggest fan, anything I send to Strike Twelve, Dan is always like “Wow that’s the best song ever written”. Hahaha
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
Matt: Eye contact, point at them, give em a little shit and joke around with them. Ask them questions and find ways to involve them. Don’t be shy, come up and talk to us afterwards, we aren’t famous so we appreciate the kind words, or even if you hate us come up and tell us why. Haha
Joe: We like to talk and tell stories when we’re up there. We’re always watching what’s going on the crowd and like to comment when we see something interesting happening. Makes for a more collaborative experience. If this is a social media question – I’m the main operator of our FB, instagram, emails. Any of those are easy ways to connect with us.
Facebook: facebook.com/striketwelve
Instagram: instagram.com/striketwelve
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNt0ufTrnjQ&list=PLckBD6tlp1I-hr64hZeKYozfPrmRGOSy9
Twitter: twitter.com/striketwelve
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5qxcrGGTqFbcRoRQRu6IhY
What’s next for you?
Matt: Hopefully festivals and small tours outside of the USA.
Joe: “Last Band Standing” – our new record – comes out 6/30 on Thousand Islands Records, though I think the actual vinyl will be a couple weeks later than that. We just signed off on the test pressings. We’ve got a show in Murrieta, CA that night and then in July we’re playing our 20th high school reunion (Finch wasn’t available). In August, we’re playing Wyoming and two shows in Denver with our friends The Frickashinas and Reno Divorce. And yea we’d love to play in Canada and Europe in the next year. We also are more than halfway to writing a new album of songs, but for now we’re just really excited for people to hear LBS.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Thanks for reading!
Bio:
Danny B, Matty T and Joey T of So-Cal punk rock band Strike Twelve have been playing live at your local dive since 2003. Whether they’re first or last in the lineup, they will undoubtedly be the band having the most fun. They love what they do and they love doing it with each other, which is why all three members have stuck with the band since the beginning. With an unmatched chemistry that can only be developed with twenty years of friendship, it’s safe to say that this isn’t just a phase. Their new album Last Band Standing will be out in summer 2023 on Montreal-based Thousand Islands Records, and hopefully it will help to take their excellent adventure to the international stage.
