Whiskey Shivers Blazes through Phoenix

Photo by Garyn Klasek

There aren’t many bands that can pump out classic Americana and bluegrass well with punk passion. Yet, Austin’s  Whiskey Shivers have proven that they can not only accomplish this but they can kindle a crowd with utmost certainty. Even compared to their last visit to town, they brought their marvelous abilities to a packed house at Last Exit Live. They had less support than before but one wouldn’t even know it by the fantastic stage presence of this show.

Photo by Garyn Klasek

Local bluegrass Americana project Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold started things off beautifully. While they might not incorporate much, if any, punk to their repertoire, they certainly don’t need to with how much they rock. Guitarist Tyler Matlock led the group, motivating the audience into cavorting on the dancefloor. While our energy was feeding off of the fun on stage, banjo player Jesse Gray entranced everyone with his crackerjack talent. Even more intriguing was the addition of their fiddle/percussion/mandolin player, who helped round out their sound even more.

Photo by Garyn Klasek

Closing out the evening was the amazingly skilled Whiskey Shivers. Even with a recent change to their line-up, it was hardly noticeable with how awesome their stage presence is. Unfortunately, frontman Bobby Fitzgerald was feeling under the weather so he minimized singing. But that didn’t stop him from shredding it up on fiddle. Guitarist and birthday boy Jeff Hortillosa went to town to get the crowd shakin’. Upright bassist Andrew VanVoorhees pranced around his bassline to get people hopping. James Bookert, as well, mesmerized us all with his breathtaking banjo playing. Even their new percussionist James Gwyn blew everyone’s minds between his insane talents between washboard, percussion and electronic drums. And to wrap up the show, Whiskey Shivers unplugged and rocked the crowd from the dancefloor with the addition of Matlock on guitar. In the end, this was one helluva fun show for everyone to ring in the new year.

~ Garyn Klasek

Days N Daze Brings the Party to Town with Leftover Crack

Courtesy of Days N Daze

Many people hate on folk punk, especially within the folk punk community. But then, it seems that folk punk has been losing popularity as of late, not to say that isn’t a good thing. In spite of this, some bands from this genre have managed to ascend above and beyond. One band in particular, Houston thrashgrass project Days N Daze, has managed to create a sound that has carried them beyond folk punk which has given them quite the unique cult following, particularly for only being around just over five years. Within this time period, they’ve released nearly as many full length albums and the same goes for split records as well as performing alongside a number of well-established and well-known acts.

Days N Daze
"Call in the Coroner"

While their busy schedule is surely tons of hard work, Days N Daze also takes on projects that, despite being time-consuming and hard, look incredibly fun. They’ve been releasing music videos over the past couple of years alongside a DIY film production company called Shibby Pictures. Although this DIY nature can certainly be seen, it appears that they don’t skimp on the production value. Plus, it also looks like it’s been a fantastic outlet for their humor, creativity and angst. Projects like these are definitely a great way for them to not only promote their music but also show the world exactly how much fun they are to see and even hang out with. Skamp Zine was fortunate enough to get to interview Jesse from Days N Daze amidst his busy schedule:

What was it that encouraged you all to start Days N Daze?

Whit n I moved to San Marcos, TX when we were 16-17 and were just super bored most of the time since we didn’t really know anyone in town and San Marcos is mostly a buncha beerpong brodudes. My parents had gotten me a guitar for my birthday earlier that year so, to occupy our time, we started writin’ some goofy little tunes and just never stopped, I suppose.

What musical acts influenced the band when y’all started out?

I’ve always been heavily influenced by all the (Crack Rock) Steady 7 bands (LoC [Leftover Crack], Choking Victim, etc.) which is probably pretty easy to hear in our music. Some of my influences that may not show as much on the surface are Watsky, The Smiths, Mischief Brew, and I actually draw a lot of inspiration from a few standup comedians: TJ Miller and Kyle Kinane to name a couple. Whit absolutely adores Neutral Milk Hotel.

What were your favorite bands to play with when DND was established?

When we first started playin’ shows in Houston, we didn’t really know anything about "folk punk" so we’d jump on punk shows as the opener for Molotov Compromise and Rats in the Attic, who were the 2 like big punk bands back then. After we kinda figured out what we were doin’, we’d book shows with U NOT I, who eventually changed a couple members to form Sidewalk Slammers, and my little sister Marissa who still tours around and plays washboard for my other project Chad Hates George.

Seeing as how y’all are known to play acoustic, does Days N Daze have a preference for performance location, be they DIY spaces, bars, festivals or simply setting up on a street corner?

I think I can speak for everyone when I say we prefer a solid, cozy house show!

Courtesy of Days N Daze

Y’all have played all over the states and Canada. What’s your favorite place that you’ve played so far?

My favorite place we’ve ever played is Skatopia. If you’ve never heard of it, do yourself a favor: look it up and go to Bowl Bash.

What was it like playing Houston Free Press Summerfest with Weezer?

Haha, that was kind of our claim to fame for a minute even though we played a tiny local stage at like 2 pm and they headlined the giant main stage. It was still rad though. It was our first big festival so we were stoked on the wristbands and beer passes and whatnot.

Days N Daze has worked on quite a few split albums with the likes of bands like Night Gaunts and Arroyo Deathmatch. What was it like working on those projects and did any particular one of them stand out for y’all?

I’ve always enjoyed putting out splits simply because people that have heard of us, but not our friends, get to hear our new stuff and a whole new band and vice versa. My favorite so far is the Night Gaunts split just because of the covers. We had fun recording our interpretation of “Mosquitoes” and it was awesome to hear what they did with our song, “Post Party Depression”.

What was it like to not just work on a split with Night Gaunts but to tour with them when they were last in the states?

It’s awesome touring with those dudes!! They're always so stoked and, every single night, they play the most solid kickass set. It’s crazy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a less than perfect Night Gaunts show.

Days N Daze has been working up some fun and hilarious music videos lately. What's it like working on these projects with a video production company, albeit DIY, and how much fun did you have working on your "Call in the Coroner" (CITC) video?

It's always a good time. We only work with Jak Kearley of Shibby Pictures. I'm actually in a van in NOLA with him and LoC right now. We just got done shooting at Fort Macomb. CITC was fuckin' rad to shoot. We just DESTROYED an abandoned motel.

What bands have Days N Daze enjoyed playing with lately?

We've been touring with Leftover Crack, which is like a childhood dream of mine, so it’s just indescribable how much fun it’s been playing with them. Also, on the last tour, we were on with LoC, All Torn Up was traveling with us and they're just phenomenal.

Lately, your band has been touring with Leftover Crack. What has this experience been like for y’all?

Like I said, it’s just ridiculous. It almost just doesn’t make sense. I mean, we’re just some dirty traveling kids playing shows wherever we can, constantly tourin’ around not really thinking anyone’s listening and then BAM!, ya know? We’re all having the fucking time of our hot, young lives.

Have y’all had an opportunity to play with PEARS yet?

No, not yet. But we’re super stoked; they murder it!

If there's any musical act, alive or dead, that you all haven't already played with that you'd love to share the stage with, who would it be?

Motorhead. R.I.P. the god of rock n roll.

Other than your interest in touring Europe soon, what does the future hold for Days N Daze?

Aside from Europe, we’ll be releasing our first full length in a few years, CRUSTFALL. Whit’s going on tour with our good friends Rail Yard Ghosts and I’m sure her side project, My Pizza My World, will also tour, and my other two bands Chad Hates George and Escape from the ZOO will both be touring and releasing new music next year.

Days N Daze will be playing with Leftover Crack, PEARS, and BroLoaf on Sunday, January 10th at The Nile Theater, located at 105 W. Main Street in Mesa.

https://www.facebook.com/events/900305466726568/

~ Garyn Klasek