The Braces Interview

I recently interviewed Zack from The Braces.

PPND- First off, thanks for joining me for this interview.

The Braces- You're welcome, thanks for having us.


PPND- How would you describe you music to someone who has never heard it?

The Braces- Punk Rock with Pop without being pop-punk or punk-pop.


PPND- You just released your new EP "First World Problems", how did that album come to be?

The Braces- By the time we finished our full length "I'm Telling Everyone" I had already begun writing new songs, over that period of time things happened to us emotionally as a band and as people. We wrote about it.


PPND-What band is the song "Inspired by true events" about?

The Braces- haha... a shitty hardcore band.... That doesn't quite narrow it down that much at all does it?


PPND- How's the Pop Punk scene in Thousand Oaks, California?

The Braces- Growing every day. When we started, we were the only punk band in the area. Now there are more bands than I will be able to remember, but a few that are really fucking shit up in a good way are our buds in The Sheds, The Bogarts, Blackout 101, Make Your Day, Game 21, and Blind Awakening. These guys are all really talented and it is because of them that there is now a scene for this kind of music here.


PPND- What bands are you guys really into right now?

The Braces- We are eternally into: Most bands on a punk-o-rama compilation from the 90's - early 00's, most bands that have ever been on Fat Wreck.

Kyle (lead guitar) - is a student of DC hardcore and post hardcore and knows more about music than anyone else I know.

Justin (drums) - against me, the lawrence arms

Fern (bass/vocals)- hip hop, punk rock and broadcasting

Zack (guitar/vocals) - The Clash, Elvis Costello, Harry Nilsson, Bad Religion, Hostage Calm


PPND- What has been your favourite place to perform?

The Braces- Kyle's garage when we shot the music video for "I'd Rather Be Hot" it was a tuesday night on a schoolnight and somehow a bunch of kids came out and made it something special.


PPND- Do you have any plans on playing in Canada?

The Braces- Sure, know a good booking agent?


PPND- What was your favourite album(s) of 2010?

The Braces-

The Flatliners - Cavalcade
The Wonder Years - The Upsides
Hostage Calm - Hostage Calm
Bad Religion - Dissent Of Man


PPND- What’s your favourite movie of 2010?

The Braces- We all saw Inception together but Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World was better.


PPND- Do you have any final comments for your fans?

The Braces- Don't worry about being punk or hardcore or metal, just be yourself and you will be way more punk than anyone in a studded jacket with a discharge patch sewn on the back. Come see us when we go on tour and download the EP for free and share it with everyone you think would like it.