Los Angeles punk rockers The Bronx have been kicking it for 10 years now. But long-time drummer Jorma Vik seems surprised by the group's milestone.
“We never thought we'd even get to the 10 year mark,” Jorma laughs. “[Jobi and I] started this band … [and] Matt came in because he was in another band with Jobi called The Drips. I went to see The Drips because [Jobi and I] were talking about different singers and he was like, 'I have this band and you've got to see Matt live'.
“I went to this tiny bar in Orange County and I was sitting up front with my date and she was dressed all nice, and we had a table in front of us with a pitcher of beer. First thing Matt did when they started the show was a blackflip off the stage and landed on our table, and the pitcher of beer covered my date.”
Now with three albums under their belts (two as their alter ego Mariachi El Bronx) and undoubtedly more beers slammed than days active as a band, The Bronx are gearing up for the release of their fourth eponymous album.
“It's been five years since we put out a Bronx record, so we've had time to do a ton of shit and really wait until we felt inspired to write another Bronx record. Every time we write a record I think it's a natural progression of us as individuals and songwriters, and I think that comes out a lot on this record.
“A lot of our earlier stuff has parts that are kind of self-indulgent where we were playing stuff just because it sounded cool or because it had a cool lick; whereas now we're now thinking more of the song as a whole.”
And throughout The Bronx's career, the quintet has been widely credited for being one more the more tuneful hardcore punk outfits. But according to Jorma – and contrary to their party animal guise – it's the kind of thing that comes with age, so you count on The Bronx (IV) being their most consistent effort yet.
“I think that's something that came from us growing up,” he chuckles. “On all of our records you can hear us maturing as songwriters and as people. You know, the lyrics … seem a little more focused and less all over the place, and the music as well. It's who we are as people coming through the music.”
In addition to the new album, The Bronx are busy piecing together a vinyl box set of all four of their albums to celebrate surviving a decade. Fans and collectors alike: stay tuned for this one.
“We've been working on it for fucking ever and Jobi's still working on putting together a booklet for it. And of course it costs a lot of money and now that we don't have a label, we're kind of footing the whole bill. It's becoming quite the task but hopefully we'll get that out later this year.”
To say the least, footing the bill through their own label, White Drugs, is a small price to pay for a band on a quest for independence. You see, The Bronx are also familiar with the nightmares of being alternative and signed to a major. It also seems like the punk rockers were reluctant to ink their names onto paper in the first place.
“We got signed really early on – after something like our second show by Island – and we told them to keep their hands off of us for a few years so we could develop as a band. I mean, fuck, we were just kids, but we'd worked at record labels and we'd seen bands get thrown into the mix and just get chewed up and spit out.”
By the way Jorma reflects upon their time with Island, it sounds like The Bronx won't be setting foot within 10 metres of a record contract any time soon. They would much prefer to produce albums in a fashion that would make DIY legends Black Flag proud.
“You have to go through this department to get through that department to get anything done,” Jorma explains. “[It's like] you've gotta go through four different levels of hell to get anything done. Then you have to deal with them on the telephone and tell them what you want and by the time it gets fruition, it's changed fucking nine times.
“In the musical climate right now, I have no idea how bands even exist on major labels and how they make money anymore.”
The Bronx (IV) is out Monday February 8. The band is set to tour Australia in April; stay tuned for dates and venues.
