Interviews: Sink Or Swim

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Easycore/Pop Punk band Sink Or Swim  from Switzerland. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name?

The band name comes from a song by Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! The name is somewhat easy to remember and also has a good acronym. C!NCC! also one of our main influences so that was a plus as well. On top of that it kinda also reflects what we stand for. You either sink or swim and we’re hustling to swim the fastest.

2.What made you choose the pop-punk/EZ genre? 

It combines elements of all our favourite genres. I mean let’s be honest we all love a good breakdowns or some tasty chuggs but on the other hand we also like the uplifting vibe pop punk provides. We try to melt these things together to create a sound of our own.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

It’s more like some of us knew each other. Max has known Gino for quite a few years before the band and I’ve known Kevin for forever, since we grew up living in the same town. When we formed the band we got to know Ryan over a friend of mine.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Gino: “Metallica, it’s the reason why I even make music.”

Ryan: “Architects, they basically introduced me to the Metalcore genre.”

Max: “Architects and Green Day, Green Day brought me into playing punk while Architects gets to me on a very emotional level.”

Kevin: “Erra, because in my eyes they are absolute geniuses at songwriting.“

Marc: “I could name tons of great bands but one that stands out for me is The Word Alive, since reflects a lot of what I personally stand for and they’re a huge inspiration as persons to me.”

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Gino: “Bands like Novelist, Intervals, State Champs and Issues. innovation and musicality is my songwriting goal.”

Marc: “A lot of late night talks with friends honestly. Lots of conversations influence my writing lyrically nowadays. Besides that I really like to write about positive aspects of bad things. I have a ‘If you want it, go get it’ attitude and that’s what drives me and the lyrics the most probably.”

6. Where was your last gig?

We just played at Chapel, Göppingen. Absolutely insane venue with one of the best organisation teams on planet earth. It’s an absolute blast to play there and we’re heading back there on November 9th!

7. What venue would you most like to play?

To be fair, there’s not a specific venue we’re all dying to play in but it’s important to us that we have some kind of closeness to the crowd. We definitely take a small, crowded venue over a bigger, mediocrely filled place. But honestly, as long as we and hear them singing along, we’re good!

8. What band would you like to tour with the most?

Oh, there’s a lot. A band we could definitely all agree on would be A Day To Remember! Some other bands that were mentioned were Oceans Ate Alaska, Erra and Ice Nine Kills.

9. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Gino: “Never really, but try to focus and perform to a 100%, everybody grows and makes mistakes and nobody can blame you for that.”

Ryan: “Think about why you and you‘re band are going up on that stage, let your goals and visions pulse through your mind, don’t think about anything else and believe me, you won‘t be as frightened anymore.”

Max: “My advice to cure pre-show fright would just be to take a really deep breath and maybe a whiskey shot as well. Then you‘re good to go!”

Kevin: “Nervousness for me just occurs until I played the first note. So my advice would be: Just go do it. Forget about everything but you and your instrument.”

Marc: “I personally have experienced some nervousness before shows but I really just try to let the music guide me. As soon as I step out I feel like a different person. Just do your thing, as long as you have fun, you’re doing everything perfectly right.”

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

Chunk!, No Captain Chunk!, Issues, StateChamps, Northlane, Abandoned By Bears,  City Lights and Intervals to name a few!

11. What's the story behind "Twisted Tongue"?

The song is mainly about people not showing they’re real faces and talking shit behind other people’s back, things that actually happened to us as band-wise and personally. But it’s also a mix of my way to look at bad things happening to you, which is to just try to turn this negative energy into something positive.

12. Any plans for a full album?

We’re more motivated and working harder than ever at the moment. Currently we’re just going with the process of songwriting and we’ll see where that leads. We honestly can’t tell you if it’s going to be a full length or another EP. But we’re definitely not opposed to the idea of doing a full album next!

13. Something add?

Nothing really, besides: Stay positive, don’t let others drag you down and if you want something, go get it. Despite what people say!