San Francisco’s Coercion 96 are back after a hiatus of twenty years. Featuring members of Good Riddance, Papa Roach, The Lonely Kings and Fury 66 – they’re soon releasing a quite stunning EP called “Exit Wounds” which we were lucky enough to check out in advance. Comprising a heavy rock sound with punk ethics, the EP will be out on Bird Attack Records. We were able to throw a few questions to guitarist Luke Pabich, here’s what went down…
So it’s been twenty years, what brought Coercion 96 back together?
Unfinished business. Coercion 96 was a short lived and highly passionate project band from 20 years ago. Complicated life circumstances and a relentless Good Riddance tour schedule at the time led to the band dissolving before it got off the ground. For the last 20 years we’ve all been kicking ourselves for letting it fall apart and have been living with a deep level of regret. About 6 months ago I touched base with the guys to see if they would be interested in trying to get together to re-explore some of the songs, primarily to help us all feel like we could bring some sort of closure to the anxiety caused by feeling like something in our music lives was unsettled.
How is it being a band again, what’s changed in that time?
Everyone is really excited about the music and vibe of the band. We look forward to having more opportunities to be creative together. We have yet to perform but are really excited to take this band live in the near future. A lot has changed in the last 20 years since we have played music with each other on personal levels. We are at different places in our lives where we respect each other’s differences more and have a blast hanging out. Musically nothing’s changed. We still are still the same guys that want to play driving, heavy and dynamic music.
Obviously you’ve all been busy in other projects, how do you find the time for Coercion 96?
We are not a highly active band at this point but we find time to hook up on occasion. We are spread out throughout the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles so it is just a matter of coordinating schedules with everyone.
Luke, quickly for you, any plans for Good Riddance to get back to the UK for some shows?
We don’t have any plans at this point but of course when the timing is right we are very interested in coming back to the UK…we’ve had many great shows there in the past. Good Riddance is a very part time band, as we all have full time jobs and families at home so we have to be very strategic with any shows/tours we do. Let’s say there will probably be a good chance we will make it there in 2017.
You have a 4 track EP coming out, can you tell us a little bit about this please?
Yes. In February 2016 we went into the studio with a producer/engineer named Michael Rosen who has worked with a number of accomplished punk, rock and metal bands. The goal was to get a killer recording of 4 songs that we had written back in 1996. We had no label at the time and self funded the recording. At the time we didn’t know if the recording would lead to anything but as we were finishing the mix we felt we really wanted to share this with people. The band is quite different than Good Riddance. It is more of a heavy rock band with punk undertones. Mid tempo, heavy and moody while being in your face.
Would you say there any central themes running through the record?
Musically we really wanted to present the band as more of a rock band than a punk band. We kept tempos for the songs just below where tempos would sit if the song was to have a more punk edge. This created a sound that still has energy and angst behind it but is more contemporary and heavy. Lyrically our singer Jake seems to find themes based in empathy and introspection. He has a somewhat theatric, edgy and hooky approach to his delivery that brings it all together.
Is this all new material? Or are these songs from back in the day that have got a new lease of life?
In 1996 we had put together roughly 12 songs in total. We choose 4 of those songs that we felt the best about and reworked them a bit.
From the press release there are some real diverse influences in the sound, but which bands have directly influenced you?
My first experience in music growing up was listening to heavy metal and thrash metal in the early/mid 80’s San Francisco Bay Area music scene. A lot of the thrash metal bands I was listening to would be wearing DRI, Broken Bones and Bad Religion shirts which led me to start checking out more punk/hardcore music. As thrash metal started to all sound the same to me I became more interested in the diversity of punk rock and hardcore. British, DC, New York, East Bay and of course Southern California punk bands became my thing by the late 80’s. By the time I was in my early 20’s I was pretty well rounded in metal, punk and some rock music as well. I’ve always been drawn to the bands that have some sort of edge and powerful dynamic about them.
How has your approach to recording changed over the years?
I’ve been fortunate to work with very good producers/engineers who I trust have great skills at what they do. This allows me the freedom to just be concerned with the music and my performance in the studio. Being able to be absorbed in the music and not worrying about the technical aspects of recording is a great place to be. I also think it is important to be flexible in the studio, if time permits, and float around different ideas. Some of the best music I’ve been a part of has been a result of a last minute change in the studio.
How was it working with Michael Rosen?
Michael was great! He was very technically savvy but even better than that was that he offered some fantastic ideas as we were working on the songs. I was also stoked to work with someone who recorded some of the great thrash metal bands in the mid 80’s…never thought I would have the opportunity to do that. He’s a real laid back and kind person as well so that’s a bonus in my book.
Are you pleased with the feedback to Exit Wounds?
We haven’t really had much feedback at this point because the E.P. doesn’t come out until July 2016.
How did you hook up with Bird Attack Records for the release?
I have a friend who does PR work for Good Riddance. I asked her if she had any thoughts on record labels we should approach with the 4 songs. She felt Bird Attack would be a good fit. I sent Garrett (Bird Attack label owner) an email about the project and he and I begin communicating about his label putting it out. Bird Attack is mostly known for putting out fast 90’s style punk but Garrett was interested in taking a chance and putting out something that would be different.
Do you feel it’s still important for bands to release a physical product these days?
Honestly I am not really sure. For myself old habits die hard, I still buy CD’s. I like to have something physical to look and to touch. I like being able to check out some pictures and imagery, read lyrics and read thanks lists. I feel if gives me a greater connection with the band/album.
Are there any plans for a full length at all?
No plans at this point.
Or how about touring to support the release? Any plans to head over to Europe at all?
Touring is not likely but we are very interested in playing regionally. We’d like to play around California to get our feet wet and then hope to have opportunities to branch out from there.
Where’s the best places to check Coercion 96 out online?
Facebook and Instagram
So in the twenty years, what would you say is the most valuable life lesson you’ve learnt?
Don’t live life with regret!
Huge thanks for chatting with us, best of luck with Exit Wounds (we love it here), so have you got any final words you’d like to leave us with?
Thanks for taking the time to let me do an interview with you. The “Coercion 96-Exit Wounds” E.P comes out on Bird Attack Records in July 2016.
And that all important one final question, who is your favourite character in The Simpsons?
Man I haven’t had time to watch that show for a long time…but I suppose I would go with Homer.
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