Feature: Storm Boy Decodes ‘SUPERPOSITION!’
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of 'SUPERPOSITION!?'
Chas: I think a lot of what we’ve been writing about is time-based and then thinking about connecting time with where we are at that moment- at a personal level, we’re different things to different people, right? Like I’m papa to my kid, I’m a creative director to my co-workers, a friend, a band-mate, etc. We're a collection of people who are all multiple things at once. It just depends on where the perspective is cast, how we're observed…and when. This all ties into this concept of Superposition, which, by definition is “the combination of two distinct physical phenomena of the same type (such as spin or wavelength) so that they coexist as part of the same event.” I think that also connects to where we are as a band- we’re punk, but we’re also post-punk…we’re hardcore, but we’re also post-hardcore…we’re super goofy, but we’re also super serious. So when we were working on this set of songs, having traditionally been a band that’s been the vision of a single person, suddenly being a collective, I think ‘SUPERPOSTION!’ just made sense. Observe us as we now are, not as we once were, or where you expect us to be.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for 'SUPERPOSITION!?'
Kuba: Hearing and appreciating each person's unique contribution to the song in a studio setting was really fun. Not always easy to do in the noise of a practice space.
Chas: Ugh, absolutely. Like I had no idea how epic your bassline for Ghosts! was!
Jeremy: When we recorded Keep It Simple and Charli was doubling her backing vocals and harmonizing with herself, we all looked at each other like, "Woah."
Chas: Ha! Yes! We were talking about how her vocals added this Kim Deal thing to my Black Francis thing- a super interesting juxtaposition while she was recording her backing vocals for Keep it Simple- probably around 1:40 in the song. And then, like immediately after, she drops her vocals at 2:06 which are so “Kim Deal,” Jeremy nailed it, we all just looked at each other with jaws dropped.
Charli: Recording “Ghosts!” was the first time I’ve ever had to sing in a studio. Although I can handle my stage fright pretty well this was on a completely different level for me. So my most memorable moment for me would be whenever my bandmates encouraged and reassured me.
Which song do you like the best and why?
Jeremy: That's like asking a parent which child is their favorite :-) Each song is special and will grow up to be a healthy and successful contributor to society.
Kuba: I agree with Jeremy. All the songs are my favorite and super fun to play.
Chas: I’m going to break out and pick one- Keep it Simple is my favorite. I fancy myself a storyteller, and I think that song just tells the best story. It’s a journey, right? We’re navigating, we’re exploring, we’re going places. Personally, it’s the most restrained I’ve ever let my vocals be which feels like growth. It’s always been a challenge to let myself be quiet- it never felt authentic, but here it does. Further, when we play it live, it’s just so fun to go back and forth with Charli on the dueling guitar part at 3:05.
Charli: “INSTRUMENT”!! It’s been stuck in my head ever since we started brewing it up at practice and I just find it so catchy. It’s also my favorite to play live, it’s the only time I really go out into the crowd and go crazy on the break/bringde part.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
Kuba: I think the message to convey through our music is that fun and joy can thrive even out of darkness and chaos. A sad or chaotic melody can energize you. A melancholy lyric can make you grateful.
Chas: Yeah, on point, Kuba. I think this connects back to the first question- when this project first began, it was really about leading with joy. That was the entire point. The world was coming out of some unprecedented times, there was a lot of anger, and it felt like being deep in joy and leading with that was the need, and I think Kuba’s right, fun and joy can thrive in darkness and chaos, but it’s also ok to be dark. It's ok to be chaotic. It’s ok to be angry…just have a healthy release and support each other…and let it become gratitude.
Can you share an instance where you felt a strong connection with the crowd during a show?
Kuba: I love pulling my gaze away from the fretboard and into the crowd and seeing somebody genuinely enjoying the music and engaging with us. Screaming out, throwing the devil horns at me, smiling, dancing or moshing. See that gasses me up!
Chas: YES! So, crowd interaction is our thing. Charli and I have wireless kits and if people are standing too far back, we’ll bring it to them and make sure they’re involved. We do call and response and…all those things. I have a background in pro-wrestling and MC work, so being the Marjoe Gertner of punk rock was always my schtick so forming a connection is always the thing…that being said, I think if I had to pull one instance, I’d say it was our Blood Wrestling Event of Halloween 2023. We had a pit of red lube in front of the stage and a tournament to decide who was the Blood Ruler of Olympia Washington. This one lady in a catsuit walked in and just destroyed everyone. Between matches, she was dancing hard and was just constantly in the moment. She won the tournament and walked away with the belt…and she also became our new guitarist/vocalist. I have doubts that if we hadn’t formed a connection as performers, musicians, and colleagues, that Storm Boy would still be a thing. It’s not entirely the question you asked, but it’s a point I want to get across, with Charli, Kuba, and of course Jeremy, this Storm Boy is a Storm Boy that’s ready to raise spirits, while razing venues, because of the connections we’ve made with each other.
Charli: I can’t remember when this was but there was one time when there was this one guy in the crowd that was dancing his heart out among other people in the crowd, and when the song ended I gave him a high five. Other people saw this and they came up to also give me high fives and fist bumps.
Chas: Oh yeah! That was at Wild Child in Oly! I started tuning and the next thing I knew you and Kuba are hi fiving and fist-bumping everyone and I was just like “Well, I guess I have to do that now, too.” haha
