Sucker Punch socks it to us with their answers about their music and how they make it! They hit us hard! Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
- Hey! We actually rebranded in late 2021 to Sucker Punch. We were orginally called, “Nude Shoes.” That name didn’t really fit the new direction and members of the band so we decided to name the band after a Pokemon move with the same name.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
- The band was essentially started by one of our guitarists, Andy in 2018. He was dealing with some harsh health issues at the time and he started to write and record songs as a form of escapism from what he was dealing with. The very first EP was recorded (and every subsequent release through now) by our buddy, Pat Risi of Bear Away Studios in Old Bridge, NJ. Andy met Billy through Pat. Billy introduced Chris, Will, and Guilio to the band, and Andy knew our drummer, Tyler from the Philly music scene.
How would you describe your sound?
- We are definitely a pop punk band, but we are trying to go beyond the scope of the genres limitations. We use quite a few alternative tunings when writing and playing live (which is a major pain in the ass sometimes), and have focused this new EP on pushing the envelope a bit more. We take influence from well known pop punk bands like New Found Glory and The Story So Far, but we also took influence from bands like Thursday, Heavy Heavy Low Low, and Terror for this new record. There are songs that have a lot of chugs and two step parts with harsh vocals, but we wrap it all up in our pop punk influences to have something with a little more bite.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
- Without a doubt, they would be: New Found Glory, The Story So Far, Fall Out Boy, A Day to Remember, and American Football (big ups to that band for making those alternative tunings accessible).
What’s the last song you listened to?
- Hmmm, there are six members of this band, but to speak for everyone, we can say “Every Time I Look for You,” by blink-182.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
- Spotify for sure.
Who is your dream producer?
- We would really love to work with anyone from blink, Sam Pura, and Jon Markson.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
- Derek Sanders from Mayday Parade would be at the very top.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
- We just genuinely enjoy creating songs that we would all enjoy if another band wrote them. It is the vehicle which we all choose to express ourselves.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
- It is a collaborative effort for sure. Andy and Billy will come up with some of the instrumental parts and/or direction, Tyler will write the drums, Will takes on the bass parts, Giulio assists with both the harsh vocal melodies and guitar parts, Billy, Chris, and Andy will really tackle a lot of the melodies and lyrics, everyone will jump in during the actual studio sessions (after pre production), and a song will eventually find its way to completetion. Every song is different of course, some have more of a hand in it and others are very band oriented.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
- Live shows is the best outlet for that. Connecting to a band in a live setting is why we do this.
Music, music videos, and socials: https://withkoji.com/@SuckerPunch_EC
Spotify artist link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/08wI0NdxcVZnDFVykhbE2D?si=4WZtTl8vReuFF4I0ie3Rrw
What’s next for you?
- Our first single from this EP, “Worst Case Ontatrio,” is out now! We have another single dropping in September, and the EP after that. We have a lot of shows coming up, so please follow our band on our socials to keep up! We are playing new places this fall and beyond, along with a really big EP release show to be announced soon!
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Keep up with us here: https://withkoji.com/@SuckerPunch_EC
Bio:
Current hometown: Montclair, NJ
Members:
Chris Steele – vocals
Billy Butka – guitar
Tyler Patchell – drums
Giulio Bozzone – guitar / harsh vocals
Will Smith – bass
Andy Katz – guitar / vocals
Bio: Sucker Punch is a fresh and hard-hitting band with old ties to both the New Jersey and Philly DIY punk scenes. Garnering influences from The Story So Far, early Fall Out Boy, and New Found Glory, this band bridges the gap between the early 2000s emocore wave of bands, and the current movement of emo and pop punk. Sucker Punch aims to take a strong focus on personal and self reflective lyrical content, framed within upbeat and catchy riffs and melodies. Within months of starting as a solo project, the band now consists of lifelong friends who all share the same passion for both alternative music and culture. They’re soon to be released EP, “Better Pleasures,” will take the band’s sound in a more dynamic and anthemic direction.
