AVOID talks band name, Cult Mentality and much more -exclusive interview

We recently had the opportunity to meet up with Benny Scholl from the bombastic five-piece from Seattle, Washington, AVOID,  in an exclusive All Punked Up interview. We discussed how AVOID got its name, the release of Cult Mentality, and much more.

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How did AVOID get its name?

The name AVOID actually came as a “rebrand” of sorts of our high school band Avoid the Void. THAT name came from one of our very first practices back in middle school and we were throwing names at the wall and it just sounded cool to our young brains haha.

How are you feeling post release of Cult Mentality?

Fantastic! It was so great to release that to cap an already insane year. It’s something we’re all very proud of and we were so stoked to finally share it with the world. We released the album while we were on tour with The Plot in You, Silent Planet & Cane Hill and it was incredible to watch the crowds start to know the songs by the end of it, and even have them singing back! It’s brought a lot of new eyes and ears to the band and that’s really all you can ever ask!

What would you say your favorite track off of Cult Mentality would be and why?

To be completely honest my favorites change a lot, but if I were to narrow it down to 3 I think it would be “COWABUNGA“, “Blast off!“, and “Whatever“. All of these songs are sonically fairly different (I think!!!), but I’d choose these 3 cause they have some of the best choruses we’ve ever written, and they all show off a different side of the band in a very fun and inviting way.

What would you say your favorite lyrics you have written are?

It’s always hard to pinpoint favorites for me, but one I love and I’m really proud of is the chorus of Whatever.

“Go reign supreme, we’re just doing the same damn thing. In a room of empty faces don’t go changing”

This song is talking about how silly the world and social politics can be. Fuck the ego of it all. Some people are gonna be better than you at some things, and you’re gonna be better than some people at things, sometimes you’re both even doing the same thing. All of that doesn’t matter, just find your path and do your thing and you’ll find success.

What are some of your favorite tour memories?

From this last tour honestly the last day of tour really comes to mind. It was like -4 degrees in Minneapolis and we were all cold and miserable. After the show all the bands were packed up and ready to leave and go home and everyone ended up on The Plot In You’s Bandwagon and hung out for another few hours just doing dumb shit and passing around party favors. We ended up giving out tour awards and no one wanted to leave and it was a very wholesome tour moment that after over a month we all weren’t tired of each other haha.

If you could set up your most ideal tour with any band(s), who would it be?

Well aside from the greats, cause who wouldn’t love to tour with Metallica or Slipknot, there’s SO many bands I’d love to end up on the road with. Like Moths to Flames, Void of Vision, Zero 9:36, Boston Manor, The Callous Daoboys, Knocked Loose, Not A Toy, any of the bands we toured with last year, Ocean Grove, The Home Team, Dayseeker, and so so so many more.

If you could write a collaboration with any band(s) who would it be?

Honestly Weird Al Yankovic. Dude fucking rips

For Kicks and Giggles, if you could be any kitchen utensil, what would you be and why?

Big ass knife

What can we expect from AVOID in the future?

We plan to be on the road as much as we possibly can! We’re gonna write some new toons, shoot some dumb content, maybe start a pyramid scheme, play A LOT of Fortnite, griddy contest, getting really rich, invest everything in bitcoin (buy the dips!!), playing bingo.

Is there anything else you would like your fans to know?

AVOID KICKS ASS!!!!! (respectfully)