Photo by Sloan Kettering
Every now and then, a musical project forms and, straight out of the gate, is bigger than its individual members. In Phoenix, it’s electro dance-punk band Couples Fight. Travis James has decided to put his guitar playing and primary project, cabaret post-folk punk band Travis James & the Acrimonious Assembly of Arsonists, on hold to develop Couples Fight with pianist and theatre nerd Alayhna Gabrielle. Regardless of the fact that they haven’t performed yet, seeing as they have only recently started, they certainly aren’t shying away from keeping busy or the limelight. The day that they were featured in the Phoenix New Times, on the cover no less, was the day they also released their EP on Bandcamp. As well as being interviewed by the New Times, they’ve also been interviewed by media website Dangerous Minds and their album has been reviewed by punk news website Dying Scene. On top of all this, Couples Fight is gearing up for their debut performance/CD release party, Broken Hearts Ball, on Valentine’s Day. Skamp Zine was lucky enough to catch Travis James and Alayhna Gabrielle for an interview when they weren’t too busy.
Courtesy of Couples Fight
What encouraged y’all to start an electro dance-punk project?
A: I tend to alienate myself from others, and I figured being required to practice with actual living people might be rather taxing.
TJ: And we had no choice but to go digital because keeping a real band together is too hard when we end up dating and hating all the members... or band "mates," if you will.
What musical acts have been the primary influence of Couples Fight?
TJ: My main influence is Scrumpch, because everything they've done is just incredible... but there's a lot of Chilly Digits in our work as well.
A: I Like Your Shoes, But I'll Blow Your Fucking Head Off was one of those bands I felt always spoke to me and reflects my personal & musical styles.
What kind of insanity comes out of your “band practices?”
A: We live in darkness. We just stand there and growl into the microphones maintaining direct eye contact with each other.
Has the argumentative focus of the band led to a fun songwriting process or has it been agonizing?
A: What do you mean argumentative focus?
TJ: Yeah, what exactly are you trying to say?
One project that y’all had was capturing audio recordings of couples fighting. Was that a fun process and did you manage to collect much material?
TJ: My roommates all tried to record the couple's fights in the house, but everyone just ended up having actual fights about everyone trying to catch each other fighting. It was glorious.
A: I wasn't able to participate because I don't have any friends.
Courtesy of Couples Fight
Y’all have an EP coming out soon. If you don’t mind indulging us, what kind of disputes can we look forward to on it?
A: Yes, I do mind "indulging you."
TJ: Yeah, mind your own business, I don't pry into your problems.
What kind of demented party can can we expect from Couples Fight at your upcoming Broken Hearts Ball?
A: I'm thinking it's gonna feel like regurgitated 80s cheesiness mixed with the overwhelming thought that this is the best it's ever gonna get.
TJ: Basically our goal is to break up every couple that attends, whether by homewrecking or encouraging them to argue over which partner our lyrics apply to more. Plus, we have a heart pinata reserved for the saddest person there to take their loneliness out on.
Do you guys have any other plans yet for upcoming shows this year?
TJ: We're going to play around town, but also try to branch out to play raves, because everyone at those things is happy on account of being high as fuck and single.
If y’all could play a show with any musical act, who would it be?
A: I haven’t even played a show with myself, how'm I 'posta know?
What does the future hold for Couples Fight?
TJ: There is no future for us, A is afraid of commitment, and our arguments are so bad that we can't even make cute songs out of them.
A: Being in a band is like being in a relationship: You think you want it, but you know it's too much work and is going to end badly.
Courtesy of Couples Fight
Couples Fight plays their first show, Broken Hearts Ball, on Feb. 14th at 7 PM with Tucson country punk act Jessie Williams, Gilbert ska punkers The Linecutters, punk rockers Sad Kid and folk punkers Careless and the Coyotes. Suit up in your most eighties of prom outfits and warm up your upper body for some heart-shaped pinata smashing. If you can’t wait that long to catch them or want to purchase their new album online, Breaking Up can be found at couplesfight.bandcamp.com. They can also be found on Facebook as well as Snapchat under CouplesFight2.
~ Garyn Klasek
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