Travis & Jack (Fat Heaven)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2023? (In order 1-5)
Travis:
- Codefendants - This is Crimewave
- Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes
- The Bouncing Souls - Ten Stories High
- Mustard Plug - Where Did All My Friends Go?
- The Young Rochelles - Kicked to the Curb
Jack:
- Heatmiser - The Music of Heatmiser
- Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes
- Superbloom - Life’s a Blur
- DANNY BROWN & JPEG MAFIA - STOP SCARING THE HOES
- Slugwater - In My Way
- Cop/Out - All Together Now
What band did you discover in 2023 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Travis:
Shout out to my buddy Shi from Scarboro for telling me to check out Codefendants. This is Crimewave effortlessly blended genres while also kinda evolving punk to 2023. The album was thematically profound and Fat Mike’s production inspires creativity.
Jack:
I recently checked out Billy Idol’s band Generation X and really got into their record Kiss Me Deadly. Of course, I had heard "Dancing With Myself" already, but there are some really good tracks on that record that nobody ever talks about. Incredible musicianship.
I also really got into Danny Brown & JPEGMafia’s record, Stop Scaring the Hoes. I love how they manipulate sound and aren’t afraid of fucking shit up. Hearing people take a bunch of fucked up sounds and create something rowdy and awesome is really inspiring to me and makes me want to push my own boundaries as an artist and engineer.
How will you remember 2023 (in terms of music)?
Travis:
I’ll remember 2023 as the year I got the opportunity to see and meet so many rad bands. Between Pouzza Fest, Camp Punksylvania, and FEST 21; there’s so many sick bands I got to see. Off the top of my head; Goodfriend, The Dreaded Laramie, ÅSMR, The Jasons. I can keep going.
Jack:
Musically speaking, 2023 felt like a lot of people were pushing themselves to think out of the box, which is a great thing. We need more of that kind of energy in the world. I think everyone is getting tired of business as usual.
In terms of Fat Heaven, I will remember 2023 as the year we got our groove back. This year gave us a new lease on life. With the release of our album Trash Life on Sell the Heart Records, we finally resumed touring. We were able to play a bunch of new cities and be a part of some great festivals. We even got to join in some some sick compilations! I’m very happy with everything we’ve accomplished this year.
What can we look forward to from you in 2024?
Travis:
Got a big ass folder of demos right now that I couldn’t be more stoked about.
Jack:
You can look forward to us being another year wiser. We have some incredible stuff in the works and have no intentions slowing down. We are gonna ride this wave cowabunga style. New music. New cities. West Coast? Call your local representative. Tell them you want Fat Heaven and you want them NOW!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2024?
Jack & Travis:
Green Day - Saviors
With physical media sales seemingly less popular than ever, what are some the best ways that fans can help to support the musicians when they go to a live show?
Jack:
Singalong with us! We don’t want your money. We want your soul. Give us your energy. We feed off of your enthusiasm. Make us feel special. Buy us dinner. Take us to the movies.
Travis:
Do the Woahs.
Travis & Jack – social media links
- Instagram: @@fatheavenband