AMERICAN STANDARDS // BEHIND THE BAND

Pretty recently I caught up with Corey Skowronski the guitarist of American Standards, They were signed to an imprint of Victory Records but then band took a new approach of self mixing and releasing their latest record "Anti-Melody" Hailing from Pheonix Arizona, it was really refreshing hearing about their scene!

//Can you give us a brief history of the band and releases?//

American Standards was formed back in 2011. Since we've been together we've released our self titled ep (2011) Still Life (2012) The Death of Rhythm and Blues (2013) Hungry Hands (2014) and our latest release Anti-Melody (2017)

//How did the band originate?//

Brandon and our later line up came together and had played a few shows before I reached out to our late guitarist Cody to try out. I first went to one of their shows at the underground to meet them all and just hang out. I remember the first show I played with them was an end of the world show in one of our buddy's garage.

//What's the first band who made you love music?//

There are two bands that made me want to play in a band live in front of people. Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster and Norma Jean. I remember watching videos of Norma Jean and see them going crazy and Josh climbing under the drum riser was awesome.

//Who inspires you to make music now?//

I don't think there's an actual person that does. I feel that I'm more inspired to write based of my feelings and the way I interpret different situations.

//How do you view your band now as opposed to when you started?//

The biggest thing for me is just feeling more grateful to be able to do this. To play. More so with the bands I've looked up to before even joining this band.

//What's your favourite venue to play?//

My favorite places to play are the house shows. I believe people get to go crazier than they would at a venue. It's an overall better connection with the people that are there.

//Can you explain what goes on during the writing process?//

I primarily come up with a basic structure to a song. We all get together and flesh it out, develop transitions throughout the song and make small tweaks.

//Can you explain the recording process you go through?//

Typically we go in to the studio and lay down the drums tracks then guitar. Normally during guitar recording we work at any different sounds for layering purposes. Then bass and vocal where we take our time working each line out.

//What does this release mean to you?//

The biggest thing is I really just enjoy the recording process being able to come up with a basic idea bounce it off the other guys and then to have a finished product. It's an awesome feeling of accomplishment.

//What song means the most to you?//

The song that means the most to me is Still Life. It just reminds me of when we were starting out.

//What's your favourite song to play live?//

My favorite song to play live is cancer eater. It's a jam.

//Why do you play music?//

I play music to deal with the days where I feel like shit, when I'm stressed out, sad, angry. It's how I cope.

//Would you encourage people reading this to start bands?//

Starting out your stage time is at most a half hour. Drive six hours to a different city to play a show to maybe ten people and play for twenty-five minutes. You have to truly want it to do it.

//What advice do you have for new bands?//

Don't take yourself too seriously. Have fun.

//How important is it to network with other bands?//

Very important. Building connections is great and all but I've made a lot of close friends through the years that I thank this band for.