Pop punk rockers CHEERS FOR NOTHING have been writing, recording and releasing music for a little while, releasing an EP and number of single's, with them set to release all new tracks this year! If not at least one, the band will be playing their first show since the pandemic had happened way back when. Many more shows are in the works, music, and them just keep on doing what they are doing all this time! The band discusses all of this below.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?
In high-school while we were performing, we noticed the crowd was cheering for literally nothing. Even when someone was walking across the stage, they would be cheering. So we just thought 'Cheers For Nothing' would be a good band name!
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
Some of our biggest influences include All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Real Friends, and Neck Deep. There was a time when we listened to pop punk almost religiously, but as our music tastes diverged, we drew inspiration from other genres. While our roots are firmly in pop punk, we want to carve out our own sound by blending all these influences. It’s too early to typecast ourselves into a single genre, we want our music to grow and evolve naturally.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Half of us (Justin & Ricky) knew each other since we were 12 years old and we've been jamming together ever since. We formed this band in high-school but disbanded/had a hiatus when we went off for college. We met our bassist Leon and our drummer Devon within the last few years after we got back together during the pandemic. The pandemic was an unexpected reset for us. With so much free time, we naturally gravitated back to making music. It started as jamming for fun, but before we knew it, we had enough material for an EP! Coming back after the hiatus, we noticed how much our music tastes had evolved. The time apart brought in different influences, which gave us the opportunity to experiment with our sound. It’s been an exciting process, and we’re still discovering what our 'color' is as a band.
4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
'The Story So Far' was another big influence, not just for their music but because they showed us it’s possible for a local band to make it. They recorded their early albums at Panda Studios in Fremont, where we grew up. Inspired by them, we recorded our first two singles there, right after high school in 2015. While we initially focused more on building a social media presence online, we realized we missed out on fully connecting with the local scene. Now that we have enough songs to play live, we want to make it a priority to engage with our local scene and represent where we’re from.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
I would say 'All Time Low' was one of our biggest influences. They inspired us to start a band in high-school. Their band dynamic is great since they're all good friends even outside of music.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
‘High Beams’- This song was revived from a phone recording demo that we never finished writing in high school. It reflects the bittersweet transition from the familiar to the unknown, capturing the emotional weight of leaving behind what’s comfortable and facing the uncertainty of starting anew. The song delves into the process of losing yourself in order to rebuild and grow, embracing the idea that starting over isn’t a failure but a necessary step toward self-discovery.
‘Vantage Point’- This song reflects the emotional highs and lows we experienced while writing this EP, as well as the weight of daily pressures. It explores those overwhelming moments when life feels like it's moving too fast and emphasises the need to step back and gain perspective. The song serves as a reminder to slow down, zoom out, and recognize that many of our worries are fleeting and insignificant. By taking a moment to breathe, it suggests we can find clarity and reassure ourselves that everything will be alright. Ultimately, it’s a message of self-compassion and letting go of perfection.
‘Kings & Queens’- This song reflects our realisation that chasing dreams can sometimes make us lose sight of what truly matters. The 'Kings & Queens' symbolise our parents, the foundational figures who shaped us into who we are. As we grew older and became more absorbed in our own lives, we noticed an emotional distance growing between us and the people who mean the most. This song serves as a moment of self-reflection, reminding us to pause and recognize that while ambition is important, it’s the love and support of those closest to us that truly defines our lives.
‘All Season’- This song reflects the experience of realising something important too late. It captures the regret of not acting sooner and the feeling of losing yourself in the process. The lyrics convey how, despite the passage of time and changing seasons, some emotions remain constant, lingering beneath the surface. It’s not just about a specific person but about how unresolved feelings can stay with us, subtly influencing the way we think and act.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Since the pandemic, our vocalist/guitarist built out his own home studio, which is where we recorded the entire EP. Once we finished tracking, we had our songs mixed and mastered by Joey Burcham (Roo Studios). A lot of the arrangements came together during our jam sessions, so the songs were written with live performance in mind. Since we all work 9-5, we had to do a lot of remote collaboration. Recording ideas at home, sharing tracks with each other, and giving feedback. It was pretty difficult, but it worked out in the end and helped us create something we’re really proud of.
8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
We released one collaborative single (WONDER with RAX) and a 4-track EP this January! We hope fans see themselves in our songs and feel a sense of connection. Life’s struggles are something we all experience, but the way we navigate them is unique to each of us. Tracks like 'All Season' capture those relatable moments, like regret and self-discovery, and show that it’s okay to feel lost sometimes. We want listeners to feel seen and know that they’re not alone in their journey.
9. Do you have any new music in the works?
Yes, we are working on a few new tracks this year. Hoping to release at least one single this year!
10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
We plan on playing our first gig since the pandemic this July 12th at Tamper Room, Fremont! And we want to continue to play more local shows in the future.
11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
We're just going to keep doing what we've been doing. We have a lot of ideas for new songs, we want to film more music videos and we also want to play more shows.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
People can support us by buying our music on bandcamp - https://cheersfornothing.bandcamp.com/album/new-highs-same-lows! And here's our link for streaming platforms!
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