Service Industry – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

Service Industry – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

Holden: I guess we’re indie rock. Sean, Zac and I all write in very different ways, and our roles change around based on who’s writing/singing lead. Sean’s songs are usually shoegazey and/or funky, Zac’s songs are mostly rooted in rhythmic post-hardcore/emo (he’s got a mean scream), and my songs are somewhere between Pavement and 70s-80s post punk. There’s a lot of overlap and while our songs can range in sound, the songs end up surprisingly cohesive. We don’t really try to do any one genre, we just wanna make good songs.

Nick: Indie Rock’n’roll

RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come to see you play? (No basic stuff; get specific.)

Holden: It’s no secret that we’re really bad at crowd engagement, haha. We put so much of ourselves into honing our respective crafts, writing songs we’re proud of, practicing, planning strong setlists and playing the hell out of them live, but we’re all pretty awkward dudes. It’s a cruel irony, being performers with social anxiety. When we play out, I almost always have my eyes closed and I’m so nervous I can barely remember the venue or the other bands playing, let alone thank them. Our guitarist, Sean, has really stepped up lately and has been filling this role. Thanks, Sean!

Nick: With 3 distinct singers and songwriters we’ve got a diverse set of songs. Chances are everytime you see us there will be something new.  We’ve got some wild guitar tones and keep things interesting while still being accessible. We love to see folks dancing while we awkwardly avoid eye contact and stare at the floor. Except Sean. Thanks Sean!

RRX: Would you rather have one of your songs blow up and make you a one-hit wonder and household name, or would you rather have all your songs be solidly received, but no chart-climbers? (You have to pick one or the other here.)

Holden: As much as I’d love to write a “Creep”, “Flagpole Sitta” or “Tubthumping” and be able to live comfortably off the royalties forever, I think we’d all prefer to be lesser-known but well-respected for our music. I’d be happy as a cult classic, at best.

Nick: I want that taco bell money.

RRX: Playing out is tricky because you never know what’s going to happen when you get there. Sometimes everything goes wrong. What was your worst show like?

Holden: We played a show with Countdown From Ten and Ampevene once. It was one of our first shows, back in 2019. They’re both super cool bands–very intense, very harmonically and rhythmically complex. I think we made it on the bill because we had one song in 5/4, haha. It was unfortunately pretty sparsely-attended, which tends to add to the discomfort. Anyway, they both slayed. We played in the middle set I think, and I was shaking and sweating nervously the entire time. I could barely sing into the mic. The other bands were very sweet, very reassuring and said they’d enjoyed our set. I don’t think we bombed or anything, but we just felt like we were a bad high school punk band playing on the same bill as the Mars Volta and Hella or something. It was humbling!

Nick: All our shows are good. I’ve never made a mistake in my life.

RRX: What historical era would you like to visit if the sole purpose was to put together a Battle of the Bands? How would you set it up?

Holden: I think 14th century Europe would be pretty wild. A bunch of lute/flute bands, some Gregorian chant, and everyone around is either tripping on ergot or sick with the Black Plague. Whoever wins first place must be using witchcraft or plotting against the church to be THAT good, so they get burned at the stake!

Nick: Holden wins. Can’t beat that.

RRX: Different people in the band will like different songs. A drummer’s favorite song on the release will be different then the guitar player’s. What are each of your favorite songs from your most recent album?

Nick (drums): I’d say “fms” cuz I get to hit the drums real hard.

Zac (bass, vocals): I would also say “fms”. It was super fun making it and still fun to play. When we were first learning it it was definitely like an “oh these guys are cool and I like playing with them” moment for me.

Holden (guitar, vocals): I really like how “She Knows” turned out, the lead guitar parts are fun to play. We also spent some extra recording time layering the vocals and I’m really proud of the work we put into it.

Sean (guitar, synth, vocals): Idk if I have a favorite, different songs for different moods.

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