Stray From The Path‘s Tom Williams guides us by the creation of the band’s newest launch, ‘Clockworked’, out now by way of Sharptone Information.
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On April 4th, 2002, Tom Williams skilled one thing that has caught with him to this present day. The situation was the legendary Sahara in Syosset, a hotbed for underground hardcore and metalcore bands to thrive within the coronary heart of Lengthy Island. The event was the stacked line-up of Poison the Effectively, American Nightmare, Eighteen Visions, Codeseven, Each Time I Die, and Anterrabae, a real who’s who of American turn-of-the-millennium heaviness. And for Tom, it was what Codeseven did on the finish of their set that struck the deepest chord. On the time, their album ‘The Rescue’ was but to be launched, however as the ultimate chords of their set rang out, vocalist Jeff Jenkins pulled out a handful of copies and began to throw them to the gang in entrance of him.
Serving as a likelihood for these current at that second to carry onto and expertise one thing bodily that the remainder of the world didn’t have entry to, it’s a gesture that, 23 years later, within the period of instantaneous gratification and technological habit, could really feel a littlealien to many. But it surely’s for this very purpose that Tom thought it was time to duplicate such magic. And it’s why over the Slam Dunk Competition weekend, Stray From The Path’s new album ‘Clockworked’ was that can be purchased at merch, in addition to copies being thrown out throughout the band’s chaotically good units, an entire week earlier than it was scheduled to be surprise-released. Spontaneous, thrilling and punk as fuck.
“Once I was a child, I heard ‘Change (In The Home Of Flies)’ on the radio or noticed the video, and that was it,” Tom hammers house. “I then keep in mind shopping for ‘White Pony’ on the day it got here out, and that was once I listened to the document, too. And I consider the individuals who caught these Codeseven albums and what a particular expertise it was and the way I’ve by no means forgotten it. And I really feel like while you roll albums out now, there simply isn’t that pleasure since you already know that it’s coming. That’s why we needed to do one thing totally different. It felt like there needed to be a brand new and enjoyable technique to launch data, and this felt like it.”
The urgency that has accompanied this rampant rollout is mirrored brilliantly in what the album represents, too. A caustic and unrelenting takedown of contemporary complacency and how we’ve all sleepwalked into feeling like that is how issues needs to be, it finds Stray at their most unforgiving, unstable and seething. A shared consensus on what so many people are feeling and a rallying name for as soon as once more not staying quiet within the face of injustice, the necessity for the band to be this unrelenting has by no means been extra essential.
THE SOUND
From the get-go, chaos has at all times been the Stray From The Path mannequin. Creating soundscapes that resonate with no matter route heavy music is heading at that second in time while additionally managing to sound like completely no person else concurrently, ‘Clockworked’ is not any totally different. Selecting up the place 2022’s ‘Euthanasia’ left off by way of the razor-sharp viciousness that encompasses it however pushing into much more discordant waters, the band have crafted an environment that’s as apocalyptic as it’s audacious, as devastating as it’s damning and as undeniably bleak as it’s unapologetically crushing.
There’s ‘Can’t Assist Myself’, which lures you into the darkness with a hip-hop-leaning underbelly earlier than delivering the killer blow by way of a blunt pressure breakdown of the very best calibre in addition to ‘Shocker’, which delivers the type of machine gun battery that has helped solidify Stray’s identify over time, with quintessential “Blegh” thrown in for good measure. And it’s all heading in the direction of the garish closing crescendo of ‘A Life In 4 Chapters’ that seems like the bottom caving in as a result of it will possibly’t take the pressure anymore.
Though essentially the most unrelenting instance comes from ‘Fuck Them All To Hell’, a tune that Tom states was initially meant to be launched on Election Day within the US. A mesh of blastbeats, pummelling riffs and bile-drenched intent, it’s as dizzying and debauched because the document will get, which is becoming for the subject material. An entire dressing down of the present American political system the place irrespective of which field you place your cross in, the determine on the prime is an abhorrent criminal.
“The one purpose we didn’t find yourself going with it on Election Day was due to Kamala Harris’s vp decide,” Tom admits. “I don’t fuck with Kamala or the Democrats in any respect. Nevertheless, with Tim Walz, he had some progressive bones in his physique, and if that’s a great factor, then we’re type of standing in the way in which of it, and so we type of suggested in opposition to it.
“However we additionally wrote the tune when Biden was the Democratic nominee, and it was Biden versus Trump. It was identical to, ‘Man, fuck all of this.’ That’s why the refrain is, ‘The one manner I’m writing your identify is on a motherfucking gravestone’. It’s not happening a poll; it’s going in your gravestone.”
It doesn’t get a lot heavier than that, actually. However when wants should, and also you’re an artist with the type of streak that Stray has, crafting your reality has by no means been extra vital. Each weave and switch feels an increasing number of like the tip of the world than the final, which, on a document that flirts with such chance inside its material, too, is greater than becoming. The potential for the tip needs to be discomforting, scary, and onerous to abdomen, so by producing essentially the most stomach-churning heaviness they’ll muster, Stray is extra doing its half in conserving that affiliation alive.
THE COLLABORATORS
Change is barely potential after we stick collectively, which is why neighborhood has at all times been so very important to the whole lot that Stray produces. And in the identical manner, as they’ve invited Sam Carter, Keith Buckley, Bryan Garris, Jesse Barnett and Brendan Murphy, to call only a handful, into the fold previously, ‘Clockworked’ additionally serves as a platform for celebrating a few of heavy music’s greatest, each from the previous and current.
Firstly, there’s the title monitor, an ode to not staying quiet as a result of it’s simpler, that includes a guttural look from LANDMVRKS’ Flo Salfati. The 2 bands toured the UK collectively in 2019, each serving as assist for Whereas She Sleeps, and the connection solid over half a decade in the past has clearly stood the check of time. And whereas a little bit little bit of Stray made it right into a LANDMVRKS banger not too long ago, with vocalist Drew York showing on their 2022 heater ‘DEATH’, the chance for Flo to precise his personal disdain for the state of issues stands out in abundance right here. A reminder that it doesn’t matter what facet of the Atlantic you might be born and raised, the need and have to denounce oppression, antagonism and injustice will at all times unite us.
And secondly, there may be ‘Our bodies In The Darkish’, which features a spine-tingling verse from Jeff Moriera of the legendary Poison The Effectively. Contemplating how a lot that fateful present in 2022 caught with Tom, having a character that has served as close to life-long inspiration showing on such a significant album for them is clearly a dream come true. But for them to utterly flip perceptions and croon their manner by a hypnotically discomforting verse on the monitor quite than shred their vocal cords, slowing issues right down to a glacial tempo, feels much more particular.
To characterize and maintain up such totally different corners of the scene is as a lot of a present as a band can have. But it surely additionally serves as a benchmark for the way each band ought to deal with their friends. For individuals who have come earlier than, it’s about paying respect and permitting them the possibility to see the lasting impression their legacy has had. And for individuals who are shaping the long run, it’s a case of holding them aloft and sharing their vibrancy and imaginative and prescient with those that is probably not accustomed to their sport. It’s at all times been the Stray From The Path manner, and by being open to who’s on the market ready to be labored with, then the probabilities are really infinite. In spite of everything, it’s precisely how they ended up recruiting a drummer!
“In America, we have been at all times a band the place individuals didn’t actually like us, however bands did,” Tom laughs. “So, we at all times obtained alternatives as a result of our buddies would take us out the place we’d do okay, however then we’d go over to Europe and England, and so they liked us and gave us a lot. They gave us Craig! We met Architects, they took us on tour, and Craig was their drum tech. And now, Craig is one among my greatest buddies and a principal songwriter within the band as properly. All due to alternative.”
THE LYRICS
Although they’ve at all times worn their feelings firmly on their sleeves, it seems like there was an terrible lot extra for Stray to be livid about this time round. Not simply what’s affecting them but additionally contemplating the impression on individuals world wide, ‘Clockworked’ is as a lot in regards to the plights on their doorstep as it’s in regards to the international consensus amongst residents that we’re sleepwalking in the direction of a way of life that we promised our elders we’d by no means let occur once more. Be it watching on as a genocide takes place or permitting our planet to be despatched even nearer to the brink due to supposed technological advances, the band are leaving nothing to likelihood when stating how they really feel.
A chief instance of that is ‘Kubrick Stare’, written in response to Tom watching somebody get shot within the face throughout a street rage incident on social media and, in scrolling previous it, realising how desensitised to such barbarity being on our telephone screens we had change into, and the way that pertains to our response to a lot greater elements of historical past taking part in out in entrance of it.
“I don’t need to say I didn’t care, however, like, it simply didn’t actually have an effect on me,” he laughs, understanding how unusual a sentence that’s to affiliate with such a horrible imaginative and prescient. “And it goes additional to how individuals have been in a position to look the opposite manner with Palestine. Like, I don’t know how one can as a result of it’s so terrible. However part of me remains to be like, ‘Effectively, individuals see terrible shit daily,’ and folks have a tough time sympathising for those that aren’t themselves as a result of they’re most likely combating their very own household.”
That type of skewed ethical compass additionally comes into play on ‘Can I Have Your Autograph?’, a really actual callout to these within the music business who flip a blind eye to disgraceful behaviour simply because these participating in it have bought thousands and thousands of data.
After which there may be ‘Shot Caller’, a tune that particulars that for those who push the individuals too far, they may finally battle again.
“You recognize, we made ’Shot Caller’ earlier than that United Healthcare CEO obtained clipped, though it’s basically about that,” Tom provides. “How the individuals getting denied healthcare after paying for it for 20 years aren’t going to take the shit no extra and are going to start out combating again. So we made that tune, after which it occurred. We have been identical to, ‘Motherfucker’.”
Each tune is a no-holds-barred assault, leaving no stone unturned and nothing to the creativeness by way of the place Stray stands proper now. And it could be a testomony to how intently tied to the need of the individuals they’re that some sentiments are coming true. After all, that has at all times been the case, however the limits that they’re pushing really feel even additional, and the anger coursing by their veins feels even stronger.
“It’s actually simply in regards to the stuff that has effects on us and the stuff that we see is going on,” Tom admits candidly. “It’s getting onerous to stay, and it’s onerous to outlive, and that’s what we need to converse up on. It’s typical of Stray, however that’s simply the way in which we’re. We now have had the privilege of touring the world and assembly individuals from various cultures. From Japan and Africa to England, Europe, America, and Canada. And in all places we go, there’s loads that’s fucking with everybody, so meaning it’s fucking with us. And the factor is, we are going to by no means disguise that.”
All through all of this, that facet is probably an important one. It’s simple to be complacent, to really feel like there may be nothing that we will do as a result of it’s all a lot greater than us. Nevertheless, as a neighborhood, hardcore was constructed on the notion that each one it takes to alter somebody’s thoughts and life is for one different particular person to face up for them. If that one particular person speaks out, then hundreds could find yourself listening to them. It’s a notion that has adopted Stray From The Path all through their careers, from VFW halls and the again of bars to area phases and past and has solely grown stronger as they’ve change into extra distinguished. Regardless of the stage, they may by no means be quiet, complicit, or disguise their ideas. So, to be utilizing ‘Clockworked’ as their most unapologetic assertion on the way in which they see this dumpster hearth that’s solely getting greater is the least they’ll do as a result of with out talking up, it should simply carry on rising till oblivion is the one choice. But additionally, what if it’s too late? Because the final line of the document states, closing out ‘A Life In 4 Chapters’, “Give peace an opportunity? It by no means stood an opportunity?”. If that’s the case, then at the least there may be delight available in attempting.
THE TITLE AND ARTWORK
Within the centre of the liner notes that accompany the vinyl model of ‘Clockworked’ is the sentiment ‘THE ONLY WINNING MOVE IS NOT TO PLAY’. This relates on to the duvet artwork that accompanies ‘Clockworked’. A easy but efficient diagram exhibiting a sport of noughts and crosses. All areas have been stuffed in, apart from one, the highest proper nook, with whoever’s transfer it’s on this hypothetical sport being the supposed winner. However what if each eventualities are unhealthy ones?
Such a fragile steadiness is proposed when the area is left unfilled. We’re one transfer away from the potential for whole catastrophe on both facet of the desk, and we don’t know who’s sitting at it, about to make their alternative. It’s a really irritating place to be in, however is it one which’s so totally different from the way it has at all times been? That’s the place the concept of the society we’re present in being ‘Clockworked’, that this case has been the case for so long as the hour and minute fingers have made their manner by the hours.
There’s undoubtedly an air of hopelessness to all of it, as if there isn’t a manner out of the mess that a few of us have made, and others have been left to surprise if it should ever be cleaned up. For a band like Stray, all they’ll do is maintain the highlight firmly on these details, letting all that be recognized.
Talking of details, we must always flip our consideration again to Slam Dunk Competition, the place in addition to being bought completely, the album was additionally marketed on each billboards across the web site and within the particular version of Rock Sound that was handed out to patrons. The advert learn:
NOT INTO POLITICS? OKAY. DO ME A FAVOR. GO HOME. TAKE ALL YOUR ALBUMS, ALL YOUR TAPES AND BURN THEM. CAUSE YOU WHAT? THE MUSICIANS THAT MADE ALL THAT GREAT MUSIC THAT’S ENHANCE YOUR LIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS? REAL FUCKING POLITICAL.
For Tom, it’s one more reason why the UK, and people attending Slam Dunk particularly, felt like the right place to share such an essential second with first. As a result of he knew that they might get it. That they might see these phrases and resonate with them. That in understanding that artwork has been, and at all times be, influenced by the issues of the world, they will even perceive precisely the place this physique of labor has come from. It’s as soon as once more all about connection, and in sharing the document with the UK first, Tom hopes that individuals perceive simply how a lot the assist has meant to him.
“We at all times say, like, we’re from New York and the UK,” he beams. “I really like the UK. We by no means have a nasty present right here. The UK, and Slam Dunk, have given us a lot. It’s such a giant a part of our historical past. And, like, we weren’t going inform anybody ever in regards to the album. No press, no nothing. However after we remembered how a lot this place has given us, that’s after we thought, ‘Let’s go inform them first’.”
THE FUTURE
The fact is that who actually is aware of what tomorrow holds. The uncertainty of issues is terrifying, to say the least, however Stray From The Path is aware of that they’ve achieved all they’ll to let their emotions on the whole lot be recognized. And irrespective of the place they roam, there can be an viewers that stands with them. After all, coming from a rustic that’s so divided, these numbers range relying on town during which they reside.
“Again house, we are going to play Denver and completely crush it, however then we are going to undergo Dallas, and there can be like 100 individuals there,” Tom shrugs. “Like, that’s alright as a result of there may be most likely a transparent purpose why. However then it’s why it’s humorous that after we go to Australia and Canada and the UK and Europe, and we crush it. It’s simply the way in which it’s. We love to stay out, and that has at all times been a great factor in addition to a nasty factor.”
And it’s in protruding, in not diluting their views and in at all times being utterly themselves that one factor will at all times be true. For anybody feeling like they aren’t being heard and that no person cares about how near the tip we’re, Stray From The Path is a band that hears them. Stray From The Path is a band that sees them. Stray From The Path is a band who’re as infuriated as them. If all of this have been to finish tomorrow, that truth would by no means change. In actual fact, it has been the case all through the final 20 years of Stray’s profession and can stay the case no matter what the subsequent 20 years appear like. So long as we all know we aren’t doing this alone, then there may be nonetheless hope. And hope, even in drabs, is a remarkably highly effective factor.
