SUNSTROKE's Brandon Wallace & Christian Debuque Discuss New Single "Frank," Covering The Cranberries, DRAMARAMA & Memorial Day, Recording with Don Zientara, and Bent Blue Split (The Witzard Interview)
SUNSTROKE appear to have this uncanny ability to be able to pull parts and pieces from their (and, in turn, your) favorite bands/artists, sub-genres, eras, labels, etc., throw them all into a sonic slicing and dicing belender and to paraphrase Madonna, "make them feel shiny and new..." SUNSTROKE readily draw influence from Dag Nasty, Embrace, Fugazi, Hüsker Dü, Rain, The Replacements, Rites of Spring, and Revolution Summer-era Dischord Records. They've been through, like most Punk/Hardcore bands, their fair share of members, but have seemed to have landed on a semi-permanent line-up, and have released a gaggle of albums, EP's, splits, and one-off singles on a variety of labels, such as Axe to Grind, Coin Toss Records, New Morality Zine, and WAR Records, since initially forming around 2017.
Oddly enough, SUNSTROKE recorded two of their latest songs, "Frank" and a cover of Memorial Day's "Ceiling," as well as two more previously released singles, at Inner Ear Recording Studios with Don Zientara, who recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered many of the recordings (and many more) mentioned above. SUNSTROKE frontman, founder, and mastermind Sean Farlow is currently sitting on a sunny beach somewhere in Mexico sippin' on a martini while on vacation with his family, so I sent over a batch of questions to drummer and one-time Memorial Day member Brandon Wallace and rhythm guitarist and illustrator Christian Debuque. SUNSTROKE recently shared their cover of DRAMARAMA's "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" dropped a split with Bent Blue on New Morality Zine/WAR Records, and their latest single, "Frank" B/W "Ceiling" is out digitally today on Sky Valley Records. So, obviiously, Brandon, Christian & I talked about all of that and much, much more. Check out my (third!) comprehensive SUNSTROKE interview below, which has been lightly edited for general clarity. Thanks again, Brandon & Christian, and shout-out to Sean for helping set all of this calamity up!
I. Who are the current members of SUNSTROKE, what is each member's role within the band, and how long have each of you been in the band?
Brandon Wallace: First off, thank you for the interview, Matt. This current incarnation of SUNSTROKE is Sean [Farlow] on vocals and art direction, Ian [Strang] is on guitar along with [GHOST BONGO]. [Matt Myers AKA] T.B. Player (short for The Bass Player) plays bass and is, basically, the reason we get anything done. Mikey [Messenger] is still around and contributes in his own, adorable way. Honestly, Christian [Debuque] & I have been doing it with Sean & Ian for a few years now. I feel like T.B. has always been here, but he joined a little after we did when Mikey had to go Overseas to volunteer to build houses or something.
Christian Debuque: What's up Matt!? I'll clear up that I go by GHOST BONGO [@ghostbongo] on Instagram, so that's why Brandon is referring to me as that lol. Pretty much everyone in the band refers to me by that. I first met Sean when he asked me to design a shirt for the band back in 2020. Around then, I put the offer on the table to play guitar, if the ever needed. And I've played guitar with SUNSTROKE since fall of 2021—so, well over two years now.
II. What made you decide to cover and re-envision "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" from DRAMARAMA's Cinéma Vérité, as well as the A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master soundtrack?
Wallace: Well, that's, actually an interesting story. We had the songs all picked out for the split and we decided, at the last minute, to record that cover because we had extra time in the studio (shout-out to Len Carmichael at Landmine Studios!) We planned to just keep it around for an emergency. It ended up appearing on a tape comp. on a very short run. After those comps. were all sold out, Sean threw it online and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Debuque: They, basically, told me we were covering "Anything, Anything" the day of. Never heard the song before that. Did I mention I'm the youngest in the band?
III. How did you go about selecting your original track, "Nineteen," and cover, "Salvation" by The Cranberries as part of your New Morality Zine/WAR Records split with Bent Blue?
Wallace: "Nineteen," much like "Buzzer Beater" before it, was a lightning strike of inspiration after a few weeks of rehearsing for shows and trying to write something that didn't pan out. We really work best under pressure, it appears. It just kind of fell into place. Let's face it, we're not writing [Queen's] "Bohemian Rhapsody," but I'm pretty stoked on how it came out. We needed a cover for the split. We had a few others in mind, but "Salvation" just seemed fun to play. So, we did.
Debuque: We chose "Nineteen" because it kicks a$$ and we had it down pat at time of the recording. I love the punchiness of the verse. "Salvation" is similar in the amount of a$$ it kicks, so it was an easy decision to include it on the split.
IV. What can you tell us about the writing, creating, production, recording, etc. processes behind your latest batch of original material and cover renditions?
Wallace: As far as the writing process, we write parts of songs at every practice. Even if we are rehearsing the set, someone will, inevitably, write a part or clumsily fall upon something that "sounds like us." When we sit down to just write songs, well, that's the whole reason I play music. Everything goes away and it's just that noise. It's a pretty special moment. Recording, on the other hand, is the bane of my existence. The only part I like is being done and eating burritos. That said, recording the split and "Anything, [Anything]" with Len was a pleasure. He made it very easy and I think it came out fantastic. Next to his studio is the worst pizza place I've ever been to, so there is that.
Debuque: We have parameters that we write within and know what "sounds like us" and, sometimes, search for new ways to write on the far reaches of those parameters to create something that sounds fresh. As for recording, it's pleasant for me being a rhythm guitarist. There's less pressure than playing a complicated lead over and over, so it's easy on me.
V. How involved does the band typically get in the creative aspects of or relating to your various releases (ie: photography, cover artwork, packaging, vinyl color selection, exclusive variants, etc.)?
Wallace: The layouts and "art direction" are usually handled by Sean. He may send over an idea or thought, but, with him, he has a total vision for everything from the start. I really love and have loved all the visuals for the band (even before I joined) so, I trust him to continue doing a good job. All that said, of late, Christian has done a bunch of T-shirts and images and it's all been so rad. I really appreciate being surrounded by such creative people.
Debuque: Like I said, I met Sean through my artwork, so my relationship with SUNSTROKE began on a creative level and that still rings true now. Sean, generally, shoots ideas over to me that he thinks I can execute and, sometimes, I shoot over ideas I want to draw over to him. We usually agree on ideas because we have similar tastes.
VI. If "yes," "greatly," etc. to the previous question, how and/or what do you think this generally adds to your music as a complete and totally immersive package?
Wallace: It definitely creates a uniform feel from the band and its releases. Trying to have images that are personal and unique to every release and having fewer images of a singer holding out the microphone or the bass player jumping, to me, adds a lot to what we are trying to accomplish. Not that those things are bad, I grew up staring at the [Gorilla Biscuits'] Start Today cover or [Revelation Records Presents - New York City Hardcore:] The Way It Is cover marveling at the passion caught in it. Those are pieces of art in their own right, it's just not how we chose to display our releases. Like the Embrace [self-titled] record, I still look at that cover and try to interpret it, like I do at any piece in a museum.
Debuque: It helps paint a picture of the band and who we are as people—at least, somewhat, which I think listeners generally appreciate. You want the bands you like to have an appreciation for artists and the work they produce.
VII. Who or what would you readily cite as some of your greatest sources of personal inspiration and influence while creating this latest batch of SUNSTROKE releases?
Wallace: Anymore, it's about just getting in a room with some of my best friends and talking sh*t and playing music. It feels very similar to when I first started doing bands. Somewhere along the way, with tour schedules and release dates, you lose that passion of simplicity. It's simple. There is nothing complex or hard about it. It's funny, one of the first times I was in an actual recording studio, Gavin Van Vlack (Burn/Die 116/etc.) was producing the record. I was nervous and frustrated and things started to go downhill fast. He pulled me aside and said, "write and play the songs you want to hear and the rest will take care of itself." That's not an exact quote, I'm sure it had more curse words and insults in it, but that always stuck with me. That pretty much sums up my experience, so far, with this band.
Debuque: I just wanna rock. I want to play as hard as I play live and I want that energy to be captured. Brandon is great partner to rock with. He plays like he means it and stays in time, so it’s easy for me to lock in and nail it in as few takes as possible. So, being around other skilled & talented musicians is what inspires me most.
VIII. Ultimate dream split(s) accompaniments? Other songs you wanna/plan to cover? Why for each? And... go!
Wallace: I'd love to do a split with either Praise or Crossed Keys. Members of both of those bands have affected my life in so many ways that to share a record with either would be humbling. I'd, also, like to do a split with someone way outside the box, like a rapper or a Folk singer... someone that wouldn't normally appear on such a release. Cover songs... so many... either "Stutter" by Elastica or anything off of Lifetime's Background record. Just because.
Debuque: I think Mil-Spec would be my choice. Love everything they're doing and it would be a very complimentary pairing. We're always pitching covers in the band Group Chat, but, lately, I've been drawn to the idea of covering The Replacements or Swervedriver. Both would be challenging, but I think it's something we could pull it off well.
IX. How would you say SUNSTROKE's overall sound, style, musical approach, etc. has grown, changed, progressed, and evolved since your earliest release, 2017's SEVEN?
Wallace: As a fan first, I think the first batch of releases definitely showed them trying to figure out where they were going with all of this. When they hit the "I Wanna Be Ignored" / "Cryin' Wolves" stage, I think they nailed where they wanted to go and now we are continuing from there. I think the addition of [GHOST BONGO] has added a new feel. He's an amazing guitar player and an even better dude.
Debuque: The band has had a rotating cast of members since then, so we're like an entirely different band now. We all have unique tastes and perspectives, so the band is growing in every direction.
X. Do you have any immediate plans to record and release a proper full-length follow-up to 2018's Second Floor / SEVEN?
Wallace: We are currently b*lls-deep in writing a full-length. I'm really excited for people to hear these new songs...
Debuque: We've been writing a lot lately and it all rocks.
XI. What can you tell us about your upcoming single, "Frank?" When, where, how, and in what assorted formats will it become available to the masses?
Wallace: OK, well, "Frank" is scheduled to be released July 28th through Sky Valley Records. There are a few different variables to this release we are waiting to announce, but it's definitely going to be different. The cover art is done by a gentleman named Chad Harley [Leddy]. He sings in a band from New York called ROLL CALL. Definitely check them out and his art; it's pretty spectacular. We recorded the record with Don Zientera and the new/old Inner Ear [Recording] Studios in Arlington, VA, AKA in Don's basement. It'll be available through all major [distributors] and on all major streaming sites. I'd love to spill the beans on all the things circling this release, but a few particulars have yet to be nailed down. So, we will have to address that at a later date. Fear not, there will be multiple variants, new shirts, and some additional surprises coming in the near future.
Debuque: We recorded "Frank" with the legendary Don Z. in the same basement where Bad Brains recorded Black Dots. I mean, what else is there to say?!
XII. What's planned next for SUNSTROKE?
Wallace: We have a record release show with Gouge Away in August and after that, we are going to hunker down and attempt to finish this LP. So, if all goes as planned, we should start to demo these jawns in August with Vince Spina (Edgewise/Harvcore/Ultramantis Black) in West Chester, PA. So, check back in the fall. Thanks, Matt. Talk soon.
Debuque: Catch us August 4th at The Ukie Club with Gouge Away, Nine of Swords, and Harm Assist. I did the flier and I'll Attach it to this email lol.