San Fransisco’s FENTANYL were turning heads and making a touch within the hardcore punk scene for years now because of their loud band title and louder guitar tones. Lately they drop their extremely expected self-titled debut LP on Convulse Information and it’s simply as offended rapid and loud as you’d be expecting. We spoke with vocalist and songwriter Kenny Turner in regards to the bands sound, their upcoming excursion, and why being mad at a punk band’s title is a few comfortable shit.
First issues first, out of your standpoint how has the overall reception to the band title been? How did you land on it and the way do you are feeling about it after listening to some reactions, particularly now that the band is getting extra consideration?
It’s normally beautiful divisive as anticipated. I’ve actually had folks inform me it’s there favourite band title or that I must kill myself. I assume that kinda response is a superb factor although. I considered the speculation to make use of Fentanyl as a band title in 2019 because the Fentanyl epidemic in San Francisco started to aggravate. It was once the one factor you’d learn at the information or see in the street. So, I made up our minds to make use of that because the band title, as it was once related. I nonetheless roll my eyes when some dork will get disillusioned in regards to the title although. “Fentanyl kills folks”, that’s the fucking level. After all, it occurs extra steadily now that the band has somewhat extra consideration however being mad at a punk band’s title must be the softest take imaginable.
FENTANYL’s self-titled debut LP is to be had now via Convulse Information.
The band has an excessively spectacular collective resume together with enjoying in SPIRITUAL CRAMP, SPY, and WORLD PEACE. How did you all hyperlink up to start with?
Cruz and I met via mutual pals within the scene. One time at a celebration at my space I punished him and confirmed him some demos. He was once into it and was once right down to play guitar.
Thomas and I met in 2017. We had a band that he performed bass in and when it dissolved he was once all the time on board with my subsequent venture. Thomas joined Secret agent a couple of years later.
Derek and I met when he was once throwings displays in his storage again within the sundown again in 2018. Have been operating on a venture that by no means took off and I later recruited him for Fentanyl. He already had International Peace going on the time and I every now and then play with them as an auxiliary member.
As all the time, the toughest section was once discovering a drummer. I had about 3 guys agree after which again out. I met Nate in 2018 whilst I used to be enjoying numerous on-line video video games as a result of I had gotten fired from a task. I forgot he had performed drums and in the end requested him and he become our drummer for 2 gigs. Nate had a scheduling factor once we had been recording our demo and Mendo was once ready to step in to play drums. As a substitute of holding Nate on drums, I moved him to third guitar and Mendo has been our drummer ever since. Nate joined Religious Cramp in 2022 and Mendo joined Secret agent in 2023. We’re all just right pals so we’ve all the time performed in each and every others tasks.
FENTANYL has an excessively distinct sound, most commonly from the loss of distortion at the guitars. In my opinion I listen somewhat early THEE OH SEES and naturally some DEAD KENNEDYS. Are you able to communicate somewhat about the way you arrived at that sound? Are there any particular influences?
I just like the sound of a guitar amp naturally distorting from simply being grew to become up hella loud. To me, that’s how punk must sound. In my head, the speculation of a tender punk band again within the day simply turning up their amps hella loud to get distortion and inflicting a racket at a gig is the tone I need. Rising up being attentive to bands with shitty recordings on dangerous audio system additionally made me lean against the cleaner tone as a result of it will minimize via and it is advisable to in reality listen the riffs.
So far as influences some glaring classics like DK, The Conflict, and The Ramones. I attempt to take affect from native bands. Although the regional sound of song is most commonly useless, I nonetheless check out. Certainly one of my favourite guitar tones is from an early 2000s native band from SF known as Tradition Children. They did a cut up with one in every of my different favorites, Leap Off A Development, in 2009. Nonetheless holds up. I additionally were given inspiration from some early 80s energy pop bands from right here like The Rockers and The Finders.
There could also be Disasters, insanely frantic hardcore from Adolescence Assault data. Finally, I’ll point out the significantly underrated MILK from Japan. One of the crucial toughest riffs from a band with a legitimately blank guitar tone.
Sonically your song could be very violent, however lyrically I discovered it to be strangely introspective or even poetic now and then. What’s the songwriting procedure like? Is it a collaborative effort or is one member bringing concepts to the desk?
I stay numerous my lyrics in reality brief. One thing like 2 to 4 traces. If it will get to any extent further, I believe just like the phrases are much less impactful. I write many of the Fentanyl lyrics after I’m having bouts of tension. I used to have those episodes the place I used to be in reality apprehensive and paranoid. I’d just briefly write down what I used to be feeling or considering after which use that as lyrics. In truth, I’m now not inventive sufficient to get a hold of some other lyrical content material.
I write the entire song for Fentanyl. I’m admitally, just a little of a keep watch over freak. I don’t assume my songwriting procedure is way other from somebody else. Once I’m within the temper, I’ll play guitar, and I’ll construct a tune if I feel it’s one thing price holding. I feel sufficient time has handed the place I will admit I wrote just about all of the LP, and the songs for Demo II, all through the 2020 refuge in position whilst I used to be “at the clock” in my bed room.
Like maximum cherished hardcore data the album is brief and candy. How lengthy did the recording procedure take? Have been many of the songs/tracklist entire whilst you entered the studio?
We recorded in 2 days at Other Fur Studios with Grace Coleman I had demoed out the file like a 12 months or extra prior to we had been within the studio. I write songs and construct data sequentially, so we already had been ready in that facet. The toughest section was once dialing in tone. Although I believe like I spent months seeking to dial within the tone prior to we had been within the studio, we nonetheless spent numerous time figuring it out. However that’s a part of the joys, I stay up for doing it once more.
FENTANYL is set to hit the street with MEXICAN COKE and ASBESTOS, what can other folks be expecting from those displays?
With each Fentanyl and Mexican Coke traveling off of unpolluted data, I be expecting each and every evening to be keen and chaotic. The entire bands in this run, for higher or for worse, are recognized for some form of degree antics. Both come to a scorching gig or bitch about us later on the web.
The rest deliberate for FENTANYL past this excursion?
Sure.
Are there some other bands/labels you’d love to shout out right here?
No.
FENTANYL’s self-titled debut LP is to be had now via Convulse Information. Pick out up a duplicate and be sure you see them survive their upcoming Fall excursion with MEXICAN COKE and ASBESTOS.