Patrick from Late Shift is a busy man. In less than two years, the Novato, California-based musician has released four Spam Caller titles, a Late Shift demo, single, and music video. Not even two weeks ago, three of those releases dropped, and he’s back again with Late Shift's debut LP, Perception Is Reality.
Released through Damien Records and Phage Tapes, these nine new tracks continue in that hateful fashion we’ve grown to know from him.
I had a quick chat with Patrick about all-things Late Shift.
What keeps pushing you to release so much, and at such fast speeds?
I am always working on something, whether it’s one of my bands or a solo project. Some of it never gets released. When I was younger, getting my music out into the world was not as big a priority. So in some ways I think I am making up for lost time. At least that’s what I tell myself!
Before Spam Caller and Late Shift, I hadn’t written any hardcore in a long time. It has lit a fire in me. No slowing down any time soon.
Tell us about the writing process for this LP.
After the demo, I started writing a lot. For both bands but especially Late Shift. I was writing 2-3 new songs a week. Lyrics, music, everything came very organically to me. As I wrote each new song I recorded them to programmed drums. Rough versions.
Shortly after that I found my drummer Alex, who is fucking amazing. From there we went song by song and polished it all off. I couldn’t be more proud of this album.
How did you link up with Damien and Phage?
I don’t remember exactly how it all started. Initially we were talking about doing a Spam Caller/Late Shift split 7”. Then we decided to just do a full length for each band. It’s been really cool to work with these guys. I really dig what both these labels are doing and I am pleased to be a part of it.
What’s next for Late Shift?
We already have another album recorded! It hasn’t been mixed/mastered yet, but it’s ready. After we finished recording the second album I shifted focus back to Spam Caller. So hopefully we get that second album out and go from there. Maybe I’ll come back to it, maybe I won’t.
I’d love to put together a live band for Late Shift one day, but who knows.
I remember when the first Spam Caller release dropped and you made those music videos from various movie clips. Does any of the inspiration stem from these movies?
The bassist of Spam Caller makes all of those videos and they are tremendous! We are both movie obsessed weirdos. I’m not sure what influence movies have on my music, but I’m sure it’s in there. One of the movies we clipped is Maniac Cop 2 and I can’t explain it but that movie is on the same wavelength as Spam Caller.
What can we expect from Spam Caller and any other possible side projects in the near future?
Spam Caller is focusing on recording our first LP and playing shows. Our bassist moved back from Baltimore about a year ago, but before that we were technically a long distance band. Now we are all together, writing and practicing consistently.
We’ve all known each other since we were dumb kids, so it’s been a lot of fun making music together and playing shows again. We are very excited to get this LP out into the world. No other side projects at the moment.
What’s the scene like where you are? Anyone local you want to shout out?
The closest scene to me is 40 minutes away, so I always feel like an outsider. That being said, the Bay Area scene has its perks. It can be pretty damn cool here. I’ll shout out my buddy Gabe who I’ve known since we were both little shits.
He’s in Concussive and he’s the man behind Zesta Grande, where you can catch us and a slew of other awesome bands, July 12-14. So if you’re reading this, come out and say hi!
Perception Is Reality is streaming everywhere and available via Damien Records (vinyl) and Phage Tapes (cassette).
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