Sucker Punch took a moment to answer our questions about their latest project and inspirations. Let’s see what they have to say!
Do you have a story behind your artist name?
Late 2020 we decided to rebrand because we went a more aggressive direction musically and our old name didn’t feel it was a good fit. A bunch of us are Pokemon fans and Sucker Punch is a cool move that Gengar can learn. 70 power and +1 priority is a great move to have in your arsenal and we felt it was a great fit for our new sound.
Tells us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
Music has always been a major part of our lives. It’s how we’ve coped, escaped and expressed ourselves. In fact, our founding member Andy Katz started this project as a way to deal with his health issues back in 2018.
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
We’ve recently been getting told that we have a familiar, yet interesting take on modern pop punk. We take a lot of influence from early and mid 2000’s emo and pop punk. We have a lot of fun and aggressive energy accompanied by some darker lyrical content.
What drew you to the genre /instruments you’re playing right now?
The energy for sure! Both the instruments and the live shows have had us hooked since we were all early teenagers. There were so many different directions punk and metal music can be taken. For me, the guitar was THE instrument. It can handle so many genres, tones, emotions and expressions. It’s the only thing I’ve wanted to do
What inspires you to write music?
Life will always inspire us to write. Things that go wrong, things that go right, whatever emotions we can get out serve as such a nice release. It’s one of the few things I’m good at and the drive to take it to higher levels keeps us going
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
I’m Ready to Ride Giants, Kunu is a very personal song to all of us. We’ve all dealt with the struggles of self doubt and the anxieties it can bring at one point or another. I think we’ve captured something emotional and special that might help people combat those negative feelings. We want what is best for everyone and if we can help someone get over their own personal hurdles, that’s a huge win in our book. One very cool part of the process for this song was working with Can’t Swim’s Chris LoPorto. I had the pleasure of recording him personally and he was a really great guy who crushed his parts.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
Whatever they can. That’s the beauty of music, one song can mean something to me and the same song could mean something different to someone else. If our music can help anyone through something tough in their lives that’s probably the most special thing in my opinion. We get messages every now and again about people finding us and telling us how we’ve helped out and that makes it all worth it
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
Right now my favorite artists are Hot Mulligan, Can’t Swim and Emmure. To go further I’ll give a top song from each respectively. Drink Milk and Run, I Heard They Found You Face Down Inside Your Living Room, and Smokey
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
Come out to a show! We love meeting new people and fans. If we aren’t coming to a city near you yet, then hit us up on Instagram!
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?
We have a lot of really exciting stuff coming up! We are releasing our next EP “Better Pleasures” in October. To celebrate we’re taking to one of the best venues in New Jersey with our good friends in a rad band called Halogens for a huge double EP release show at House on Independents in Asbury Park, NJ on November 4th. In between then and now we’re in the process of setting up some tour dates for this release cycle that will take Sucker Punch to totally new places
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Definitely give us a follow on our socials to keep up with what we’ve got going on!
Keep an eye out!
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. Their soon-to-be released EP Better Pleasures will take the band’s sound in a more dynamic and anthemic direction.
