Stephen King's Encyclopedia of Horror, thatis a work that explores the cycle of life and how the magic we loved as children manifests differently as we become adults. Despite horrors (human and supernatural) and the infamous sewer scene, it is a poignant reminder that time flows and the search for meaning and connection is always a worthwhile endeavor. other than that Here is the purpose of the newest group of Bay Area rifle enthusiasts: Drought.
Adulthood, especially for those of a creative bent, is like the horror movie villain that never dies (hint: if sequels are profitable, death is less likely to happen). What we need are lifesavers in the form of community, connection, and the occasional sweet something to take our breath away or make us feel just a little fresher.
Drought's sound is sonic bliss for anyone who loved post-hardcore from a decade ago (think Touché Amoré, Defeater or the Pianos/Teeth collective), but it's more than just a fresh coat of paint on familiar emotive beats: there are clear connections not only with each other but with the scene. We'll let the band speak for themselves.
Guitarist Eric Nakano: “In the fall of 2021, I went to my first live show since before the pandemic began. I saw Fiddleheads play in a packed venue in Oakland and witnessed how powerfully their words and music connected with the audience. I realized that despite the decades that had passed, this scene was just as needed as it was when I was a teenager. After that show, I knew I wouldn't be satisfied unless I formed a band and gave something back to the community that had given me so much over the years. So the creative spark for me is the possibility that, as a band, every time someone sees a show or listens to a record, we might be able to provide a connection to someone in need.”
Guitarist RJ Rabe: “At the peak of the pandemic, I found myself becoming increasingly unhappy. I felt like my self-worth depended on my work, the world felt like a hopeless place and I spent more and more time brooding about it. I wanted to shift my focus from the negative aspects of life that I felt I had no control over and instead use that energy to create, free from obligations and responsibilities. Our senses and emotions are constantly bombarded with stimuli and I think it's important to find the time and way to process that. For me it wasn't about being blind to it, but about assessing the world around me and deciding how I wanted to spend my time here. That's the inspiration for our name.”
Vocalist Viggy Lam: “The funny thing is, this connection and community has been there since the beginning of the band. It's easy to feel disconnected these days, and some of us really did feel that way after spending so many years away from music. In 2018, we invited some friends on tour and it reminded me how much I missed writing songs and performing. It was like I'd cut a part of myself off. So, in a way, having Eric put this band together saved me.”
Drought is now available and available to purchase BandcampFollow the drought Instagram and twitter for future updates.
Photo by Seny Mau
