(Cover Photo Originally by Zen Head Photography)
Sorry for the profanity, but that title was my genuine reaction when I got the email from Haley, our head Music Reporter, that FIDLAR said yes to an interview. FIDLAR, commonly referred to as the ultimate party punk band, are California legends in their own right. A modern Adolescents meets Blink 182 meets a lot of screaming, FIDLAR made their name with songs such as Cheap Beer and Wake Bake Skate, which are anthems of young adult disillusion and angst fueled by good ol’ sex, drugs, and rock and roll. I first heard FIDLAR when I was 15. I was in my friend Gin’s car when they played FIDLAR’s song “No Waves”. I could barely hear myself over Zac Carpers vocals and the band’s intense instrumentals that were on full blast in Gin’s car, but I ventured to try and ask “What IS this?!?!?”
Turns out, every other person in the car had already heard of FIDLAR, but my sheltered Catholic School mind was blown. I knew punk music had existed (I had been listening to classic punk like the Sex Pistols for some years at that point), I just never knew it still did. It had become uncool for folks to like my beloved Green Day, and I was far from my, My Chemical Romance days, I was in desperate need for a new era of punk without the embarrassing rep.
I became a FIDLAR loyalist immediately. I connected to the self destruction , the rage, and the passion that existed within their music. I remember hearing “Bad Habits” for the first time, and almost crying. It’s sarcastic, aggressive, and heartbreaking:
“And what’s the big f**king deal
If I don’t wanna feel?
But I got some reservations about rehabilitation
‘Cause I drink ’til I’m mad
And I love being sad
(Screaming) Oh my God, I’m becoming my dad!”
This is a long form way to say that FIDLAR was a big part of my high school experience. So this interview is literally the ramblings of a child trying to keep her cool. I was nervous, obviously. I mean, the stereotype, which tends to ring true more often than not, is that men who experience any iota of success in music become egotistical, standoffish, and wildly sexist. But Zac Carper is none of these things. After experiencing some technical difficulties trying to record our call, instead of becoming annoyed, Zac merely laughed it off and said, “Thanks for having me”. When I asked how he was that day, he said “Living the dream, Shelby!” Nothing forced, nothing faked, literally just genuine warmth and kindness. Who I spoke to was eager to answer questions about their influences, their fans, and the safety of people at their shows. Party on, Zac.
SHELBY JOY LEONE | I’ve got dubstep in my veins (I can’t surf) | KXSU Music Reporter
Click below to hear the full interview!
