An album release from Neocentrics brings out sets of straight up lyrics that come across honest, tell detailed stories, and do it all with this classic and garage rock tonality that really takes a very pop approach.
The Long Way Out album is beautiful in its own right. It's just got this youthful forwardness lyrically that make the songs carry realness with them.
The band is excellent and has a way of creating these building moments and quirky pop songwriting styles that become incredibly addicting.
You get warm fuzztone guitars, 90's radio rock progressions, and an indie, slightly lo-fi feel that gives the record even more worth and balance.
It gives you the same feeling you get from listening to Weezer's Pinkerton album. You feel like these are relatable guys.
Almost like nerd rock but not. There is also a lot of fun experimental stuff going on all over the record and it's fun and loose. It's great to hear such great songwriting and smart performances and it makes you feel closer with the band somehow.
Listening to this album feels like hanging out with an old friend you haven't seen in a while.
it's sort of welcoming and a little familiar.
With the release of such a cool album, we wanted to touch base with Neocentrics to talk about how this record came about.
Here's what went down.
RAG: Okay so let's start with The Long Way Out album. This record has a great array of rock styles on it! Where did this album come from?
Evan: Lyrically, a lot of the album was inspired by the events of 2020, such as the pandemic, BLM protests, and the election. I also lost a pretty close friend who I had played music with to suicide, so a big chunk of this album focuses on grief and coming terms with that loss.
Sonically, I was inspired by bands like Built To Spill, Modest Mouse, Alex G, Duster, The Brave Little Abacus, The Microphones, Grandaddy, and Car Seat Headrest. I fell in love with the Built To Spill album “Perfect From Now On” during quarantine, and it inspired me to challenge myself with writing songs that were over 4 minutes long.
RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Evan: The ones I just mentioned above are still super important to me. My influences are always changing but right now I’m super into psychedelic rock and punk; King Gizzard, Thee Oh Sees, and Guided By Voices are some names that come to mind at the moment.
RAG: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?
Evan: I started really getting into music in middle school; I discovered and fell in love with Daft Punk and Gorillaz, then made my way towards more classic artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Then, freshman year of high school, I heard both Mac DeMarco and The Smiths for the first time, and both really inspired me to pick up a guitar and learn how to write songs.
RAG: What's next for you as a band?
Evan: We just went on tour for the first time last month, and we’ll be opening for Built To Spill at the Neurolux in Boise on July 28th which is super exciting! Besides that, we’re working on some new tunes. Might have a project ready before the end of the year but we’ll see..
RAG: What inspires you guys to write a song?
Evan: It really differs with each song. Some songs are written about certain experiences or events, some are just absolute nonsense. It’s different each time I sit down to write lyrics.
RAG: What are you all doing when you're NOT working on music?
Evan: Going and checking out some other bands in the Boise music scene, hanging out with friends, working at our jobs, etc. Basically, all the stuff that kids in their early 20’s are doing.
RAG: Who are you all listening to right now?
Evan: I’ve been on a Paul McCartney kick as of late; the Wings album “Band on The Run” is phenomenal. Other than that, I’ve been listening to the Minutemen, Parquet Courts, Pinback, Ween, R. Stevie Moore, and Dead Kennedys to name a few.
RAG: Are you doing live performances?
Evan: Yes indeed! We’ve been performing live as a band since April 2019.
RAG: This album seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming bands out there?
Evan: Just keep doing your thing! Work hard, but not to the point of exhaustion; don’t burn yourself out.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Evan: Thank you for listening and paying attention to what we do! We’ll see you soon!
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