Throttling onto the scene with their new album, Teenage Bottlerocket is reminding us that punk’s not dead. The group will be dropping their newest full-length, Tales From Wyoming on March 31st, and will be touring across the United States and Europe this spring. We chatted up bassist Miguel Chen about the decisions the band has made throughout their career and punk in general. Chen tells us, “I can’t really remember life before punk rock, and I hope I never have to experience life after punk rock.” Check out the full interview below.
What are some the tales that inspired the latest album and eventually its title?
The songs are all about the things we know from growing up in Wyoming, it’s not all Cowboys and prairies. For us growing up here meant girls, heartbreak, horror movies, pizza and punk rock. There’s a song called La Colina that’s about our favorite pizza place in the world which sadly shut down.
You’re releasing Tales From Wyoming on Rise Records. What brought you to the decision to leave Fat Wreck and sign with Rise?
We just wanted to try something new, maybe reach some more kids with our band. Both labels are awesome and run by really awesome people.
You’re in your 14th year as a band. If the band was a person, it would beginning it’s angsty teenage years. What things keep you motivated as a band?
I can’t really remember life before punk rock, and I hope I never have to experience life after punk rock. For us it’s about playing music we love and I think that’s been our main motivation.
This past summer was your first time ever on Warped Tour. What was that experience like?
Warped was super fun, our old friends Less Than Jake were on the whole tour so hanging with them is always a blast. We made a lot of new friends, played for a lot of kids who maybe hadn’t heard us before and spent the summer outside, pretty kick ass.
Now you’re going on tour with Pennywise and A Wilhelm Scream. What are you looking forward to the most?
We’re really looking forward to heading out with Pennywise again, great dudes and killer band and we’re stoked to hang out with Wilhelm too. It’s a really fun lineup to be a part of. Personally I’m looking forward to Chicago because A) it’s always one of our best cities and B) it’s on my birthday!
How does it feel to be on a tour with such big names in punk? Would you consider yourselves on par with them?
We’ve been super fortunate over the years to play with and make friends with a lot of our favorite bands. It’s definitely not something we take for granted. All I know is that these bands kick ass and that we try our very best.
What are the plans for the future? Any goals you’d like to accomplish as a band?
We have a ton of tour dates coming up after that Pennywise tour. First we are doing some headlining shows and bringing our friends PEARS, then we’re off to Europe, then Pouzza Fest and then we are booking a ton more. For the foreseeable future it’s just tour and tour some more. As for goals we would like to release a split with Metallica. Someone make that happen.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Dogs rule, cats drool! Just kidding I like cats too, I’m just allergic. And I like dogs slightly more
*Interview by Alyssa Schmidt
