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Too unseriously pop-minded for the punks and too punky for the power poppers, Tucson rockers Class seem to be on their own island, but that's what's so special about them. Today the band is back with their new infectiously rocking single "Scared to Care" from their forthcoming album, A Healthy Alternative, out October 4th on Feel It Records. We caught up with the band's vocalists and guitarists Andy Puig and Erik Meyer to hear all about how the new album came together in such a short period of time and how it displays numerous new sides and levels to the group.
First tell me what you've been up to lately? What have you been listening to, reading, watching, or spending a lot of time doing?
Andy Puig: The Charles Mingus autobiography was something I enjoyed reading this year. I have an Edward Said book I'm currently reading. Also Colson Whitehead's Nickel Boys. Let's see music wise, The Stalin, Pagans, Cock Sparrow, The Undertones, Sham 69, The Boys, The Groucho Marx Comp, the P.E.A.C.E. compilation.
For our readers unfamiliar, tell us about the origins of Class. How did you all meet and decide to start making music together?
AP: We had a band going with Jim Colby, myself, and Ryan Chavira (and our friend Riley Tibbets at one point) called N.C.N.S. that put out a tape and played maybe three shows before everything shut down in 2020. Erik and I had been in bands together up in the Northwest. He mentioned he was thinking of moving back to Tucson and I said we could get a new band going real quick. Basically we had a few demos before our first practice and got to writing more as soon as he got to town.
We've been fans of yours since the beginning, but how do you feel looking back on your catalog? Do you still like or relate to your past releases?
AP: I'd say so. I dug through 2-4-1 the other day to pull songs for a potential setlist and I thought the recordings held up. We only play a few of those songs in current sets. You can hear some stylistic difference from our earlier releases.
Erik Meyer: I would say it's more a matter of songs and not entire releases. I still enjoy singing a lot of my songs, like "Cockney Rebel" and "Oh the Nerve," which were some of the first songs I wrote in this band. As long as we can still have fun playing them they get to stick around. But also it's fun writing new stuff and changing it up too so there's that aspect of new material that can be refreshing as a musician and a vocalist.
Before we discuss the new album, tell us about the two songs that make up your new 7" on Total Punk's Order Of The Dirty Plates singles club.
AP: "First to Finish Last" is pretty much a long vent about the music industry.
EM: I wrote a new song called "Just A Worm." I wanted to write a song that my four-year-old nephew could sing along to, and that's what came out. Also big thanks to Andy for taking care of the solo at the end. I about had a meltdown trying to wank over that so I was glad that he stepped in and had an idea and made it sound sick.
What insight can you share about your forthcoming album, A Healthy Alternative, and how exactly did it all come together?
AP: By the time we hit the road last year we were playing two songs that didn't make it to If You've Got Nothing. That put us in a good spot to start getting new ideas together for the next release. Honestly I don't think we anticipated having another LP out almost a year to the day from our last release. Richie from Total Punk reached out to us about being part of the singles club at a time we were getting ready to bring all the new songs for the LP to the studio. We decided to write and record two new songs just for that. I think a few weeks later we went in to work on Healthy Alternative. I think after being asked to play Goner we figured hey we got this LP started maybe we can get it done in time for when we head out to play this fest. We kind of just sprung the deadline on ourselves. We knew we were cutting things close but we kind of figured what's the harm in trying. The LPs made it to us just last week, so I'd say the timing was pretty good!
How would you describe working on this new album compared to last year's If You've Got Nothing?
AP: We had more going on in the studio for this one than the last one. This is also the first LP with our new bass player Joe Jennings. There's sax and some Tube Way Army kind of synth parts. We might be wearing our influences a little more clearly. We put a cover song in the mix this time.
EM: It was pretty similar. We recorded at Midtown Island with Matt Rendon and his process is pretty streamlined and fluid.
Today we have the pleasure of premiering the album's lead single "Scared to Care"? How did this one come about and what were the inspirations behind it?
AP: That song started as a vocal hook in my head. Something wordy but with a tight delivery eventually came out and the chorus hook came easy after that. I would say global affairs were an influence. It's not exactly a victorious anthem. More of a look at how screwed up things are and one significant part of a puzzle.
Diving now into some of my favorite tracks here, I really like "Burn Out City." What can you tell me about this one?
AP: That's one of the ones I brought to the mix. It's one we've played for a while. We've changed the tempo and vocals many times and there is a different version of it recorded. It was a hard one to mix with all the guitars and harmonies, but it was probably one of the most fun and rewarding tracks to lay down. It's about being disappointed by the radio. Pretty classic subject matter. There's a nod to a classic tune in the lyrics. In other ways it's a song about that feeling you get once you know better than to put too much faith in certain things.
What's the story of "Move So Fast"?
EM: I did a demo of the song solo and then brought it to the band and we came up with our own version. When we tracked it in the studio, Ryan came up with the cool synth parts on the spot like I knew he would. Maybe one of our poppiest songs to date...I wanted to write a song like The Cars or something that my parents could hear and maybe get into but it turned out a bit more fried so I don't know.
What was it like putting together "Milkman"?
EM: We pretty much learned it the week before we went in the studio. The lyrics are rather tongue in cheek, but I guess that's kind of my style right? Who is the Milkman? A false messiah? An atypical pariah? Maybe it's someone you know...like your cousin. Or your cousin's friend. Whoever it is, they for sure need some fuckin therapy, am I right?
What can you tell me about "The Hits Are Here To Stay"?
AP: This one is a little bit of an ode to those bands we all know that wrote the greatest hits the world hardly ever heard. Those bands that were overshadowed and underappreciated outside of a cult following like Dolly Mixture let's say. Anyway I'd been wanting to write something to celebrate those bands and how overlooked good tunes can be. There's some pretty on the nose homage to a few locals too.
What's the story behind your cover of The Scabs' "Amory Building"?
AP: We had been wanting to record a cover for a while. Pagans was one idea. The Mad. I think I suggested Zero Boys. Ryan had said we should try and find something that doesn't sound like us. "Amory Building" by The Scabs was perfect. It's such a great song. It's well written straight to the point catchy stuff. It was the most fun to record. I think Erik had to guess some lyrics. Anyway I hope James Young digs it.
Which song from the record means the most to you (and why) for you're most excited for fans to hear?
EM: For me it's "Bebop with the Rats," which is a saying that originated with my family somehow. Joe showed up with his Sax on overdub day and laid it all down first take...yeah he's got the stuff. Some people got it and some people don't...he just does, you know? Of course you don't.
AP: You know what's great about "Bebop with the Rats"? The great thing about this song is it comes in handy when you're high on energy and low on time...
What were the inspirations behind the cover art?
AP: I hit up David Strother and put together a mix of ideas to reference. A nod to an old Japanese punk single, a little wink to Slade or something from a Hammersmith band.
Other than the new album, you also contributed the track, "(You're An) Animal" for our upcoming PCRF benefit tape. What's the story behind this home-recording?
EM: I just had the riff and the idea in my head and tracked it in an afternoon at my house. Kind of my attempt at some Johnny Moped worship. Andy thinks it sounds a bit like The Mad which I think is cool. We would have made a full band demo but our drummer Ryan was out with a broken collar bone and ribs after getting T-boned in July.
AP: I'm glad we were able to get something brand new done for this comp. We'll get a full band version down, but I think this holds its own as is. This is our second contribution to a benefit comp this year, Yes Liberation; A Benefit for Mutual Aid in Gaza being the first.
You'll be playing Gonerfest at the end of the month. How exciting is it to be part of the lineup this year and who are you most interested in seeing?
AP: Derv Gordon is a big one for me. It's about time I get to see The Equals live. The Okmoniks being there is kind of nuts. Erik and I first became friends at an Okmoniks show here in Tucson when they played with Wax Museums from Texas and another local band called The Basement Apartments and that's all I'm gonna say about the lineup that night. I know Retail Simps are playing a Goner afterparty too.
What are you looking forward to touring again?
EM: Just hanging out with my pals and playing music again. Jim lives in LA now so any chance we get to hang out and smoke cigs feels like a treat. And it will be fun to see a bunch of friends and hang out with people like yourself (Joseph Massaratti) and my brother Lumpy and Johnny B and Sam from Feel It and Brandon.
AP: I'm actually dreading it. Nah I'm excited to see some familiar cities again. It is a first for us having to ask to borrow peoples amps and drums though. Please forgive us in advance.
Aside from the new album, what else is on the horizon for Class?
EM: European vacation baby. And hopefully Cali before that...
AP: Hopefully we get adopted by a legacy band next year. I really don't wanna have to make my own legacy. Would be so much easier skipping all that honestly. Cock Sparrer I'm lookin at you ;).
Thank you for taking your time. Any advice or last words you'd like to share with our readers?
AP: There's no better place for advice than Reddit. Keep it real and keep it cheeky.
EM: Thanks Joe! Before I sign off I would like to ask YOU a question...what is your favorite ZZ Top song? Please share your answer at the end of the interview.
"Move Me on Down The Line"
A Healthy Alternative is out October 4th on Feel It Records.