New York trio Warpark recently released their latest single “Slug” which is an emotional response to two deadly shootings that occurred in August of last year. You can check out the music video right here on All Punked Up!
We got to sit down with Roger Walsh, Warpark’s bassist, to talk about the band’s journey, their new music, inspiration, and more. Be sure to check out the interview below!
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What has your journey been like as Warpark?
It feels a little like when you go on a sick roller coaster and when you get back to the station there is no one in line so you can just ride it again.
How does your new sound together vary from the past? How have you grown as people and musicians over the last few years to create the new and improved Warpark?
Every time we release a song it’s essentially in the past. I don’t think we’re going to be a band that will have a distinct difference between an old or new sound. Each song we put out is designed to be different than the previous one. An ever-growing identity crisis that people will hopefully be able to resonate with.
Your latest music video is a really powerful, animated piece of art. Can we expect more music videos like this in the future?
Hey, thanks a lot. Pablo Campos from Modularity Creatives did the animations as well as the single artwork. If we have more songs in this vein we could put out more videos like this. Only time will tell. I think our upcoming releases are going to sound pretty different from this track.
Your re-introduction single “Slug” has very loud, anarchist punk sounds while carrying a deep message about the mass shooting tragedies in 2019. Will current events and climates influence your future songs?
It’s possible. This song was written in a spontaneous way that most of our other music has not. I’m pretty happy with the way the song turned out so I think we could resurrect this vibe. There’s at least one more thrasher in the current group of tracks we’re mixing.
What kind of message are you trying to send to fans with your music?
Simon’s lyrics hopefully speak for themselves. But my interpretation is that gun culture in this country is often quite disgusting.
What kind of role do you feel musicians play in unprecedented times like these?
Hopefully, they can be a sort of emotional vessel for the people that society deems essential, or they can find a role being essential themselves. I don’t know how we’ll get through this without music or some sort of art to take people away from the grind, or to help them cope with the harshness of day to day life right now. We are losing family members, isolated, and completely disenfranchised. Music and musicians need to support themselves and support those that are struggling physically, mentally, and emotionally.
What kinds of artists/albums have influenced your sound over the years?
We really informally name some songs after other bands when we’re working on them. They can be that “Mars Volta song” or that “Show Me the Body song” or anything really until they have a title and we make it our own. The three of us really bring different flavors to the pot in terms of our individual influences. I think currently we’re trying to bridge some sort of gap between Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and System of A Down…if that makes sense. Essentially every song we put out is going to be a different genre. Honestly, I don’t even know what we’re going to write next…the last thing we demoed kind of sounds like the Bee Gees doing into a lo-fi folk tune. Be ready.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m currently listening to the latest releases from The Strokes, The Used, Lamb of God, and Fat Heaven. Simon has been digging into A Tribe Called Quest and James Brown lately. Nick’s had Rancid, Bambara, and Tyler the Creator in his mix. We really bring different vibes to each other.
Do you have anything else you want to say to your fans or All Punked Up readers?
Thanks for checking us out. Wear a mask, stay positive, and be safe.
Sending love to you,
Roger.
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