New Jersey pop-punk band Sucker Punch recently released their song, “Worst Case Ontario”, the first single from their upcoming Better Pleasures EP. We caught up with the six-piece to chat about the new single, the band’s influences, and their deserted island albums.
From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “Worst Case Ontario”
Sucker Punch: Worst Case was a self imposed writing challenge to try something different and try to write about a topic that wasn’t directly related to something we’ve experienced. It’s based on the universe of the cult classic movie Jennifer’s Body from the POV of a guy led to his death by a temptress. We left the lyrics open enough so fans can relate to being metaphorically torn apart.
From The Strait: How did the band first get together?
Sucker Punch: We actually started off as a solo project called Nude Shoes around 2018. Andy was dealing with some medical issues at the time and it was to help him cope. Billy met their producer Pat Risi through a college facebook group for musicians and told him that Andy was looking for some members. From there Billy brought in his long time best friend Chris along with Giulio and Will. And Andy had met our drummer Tyler in the Philly scene.
From The Strait: Who were your music influences growing up, and how do they differ from your current ones?
Sucker Punch: We are all heavily influenced by early-mid 2000s Pop Punk and Emo. New Found Glory, Thrice, Thursday, Taking Back Sunday and Fall Out Boy to name a few. We have since ventured into the heavier side of things, and gotten more into the modern era of pop punk. Bands like Emmure, Terror, Hot Mulligan, and The Wonder Years.
From The Strait: What first made you want to be a musician? Was it a song, an artist or just an undeniable pull to make music?
Sucker Punch: For me (Billy) personally, it was more so finding certain artists that led me down a rabbit hole of all the cool things you can do with music. Once my interest started to grow I was hooked. I started getting my own taste of things when I discovered Sum 41. They had so many fun things about them. They were fast, fun and aggressive with catchy hooks, metal influences and silly rap inspired parts as seen in “Fat Lip.” The band that really blew open the doors for me was Slipknot. I remember seeing all the goth kids in middle school for the first time wearing their spooky t-shirts and I felt compelled to check them out. They were heavy and still had crazy hooks, they had an interesting aesthetic physically, and they were unlike anything I had heard at the time.
From The Strait: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 albums would you hope to have with you?
Sucker Punch: That’s a tough one. If I had to pick 5 right now they would be (in no particular order)
1. Commit This To Memory by Motion City Soundtrack
2. Stage Four by Touche Amore
3. Continent by The Acacia Strain
4. Everything’s Watched, Everyone’s Watching by Heavy Heavy Low Low
5. Thanks But No Thanks by Can’t Swim
—–
Check out “Worst Case Ontario” the new single from Sucker Punch!
Follow Sucker Punch on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
—-