Band: Pack Mentality
From: Houston, Texas
Their formation story:
(Jason Friedman, vocals): "Darrell (drums), Steven (bass), and I have played together in a bunch of bands over the years (Pride Kills, Pisstest, KRVSHR) and were trying to get something new started up. At the time, I had been playing bass/backups in Verbal Abuse for a couple years, and we had just released the new record (Hope is a Lack of Information).
"We were playing a lot of shows, and I was writing music for another full-length. But, due to personality conflicts involving people getting wasted and acting like they were special, 3/4 of us left VA. I was left with a pile of songs and nothing to do with them.
"So, I hit up Darrell and Steven and taught them the jams. We went and recorded them with Ramzi (Central Sound), who had just recorded the Verbal Abuse record. We stole Cory and Kelsey from their families, taught them the parts, and here we are. We are about to record another full-length with Ramzi in the Spring and hitting the road a ton in 2026."
Their sound in their own words:
"Gritty. Aggressive. Tense. Honest. Fucking pissed. If you dig bands like Limp Wrist, Sheer Terror, Haymaker (Canada), Negative Approach, and Drug Church, I’ll bet you’d dig our shit.
"Lyrically, for this record, I don’t think I used the words me/my/I/mine/etc… more than a handful of times, and usually in a way to quote something someone is saying. The songs tell stories, much like old Delta blues jams or how guys like Hank Sr. and Waylon did it."
Latest release info:
"Phage put it out, and I couldn’t be more humbled. The dude screen printed all the records, making multiple covers/layouts with black and trans-flag splatter vinyl. The record sounds so sick. It was mastered by Jack at Enormous Door. Dude is the master of mastering. My bro Dennis Polk (Imbalance Arts) made so much art for this project and it’s represented throughout the whole project. I compiled the 16-page zine inside using Dennis’ art. My kiddo even helped with some of the pages.
"As for content, the songs are more or less stories about real shit that actually happened and what I think the underlying issue was about that situation. As I stated earlier, I wanted the record to not be so much about 'me' but more about themes and issues that those of us involved in subculture/counterculture movements share and can recognize.
"Being a queer person, I felt it was really important to talk about this things in ways that express proactive behaviors over reactionary behaviors. Solutions over complaints. Songs like 'Queer Terror' highlight that for me. Lots of songs about a lot of sad shit."
Future plans:
"We are playing out of Houston and Texas a bunch this year. Playing OKC, Denton, DFW, SA, ATX, Co Springs, Louisiana, and other parts of the Dirty South here starting in January til about May.
"We are also about to lay down another full-length in the Spring. We already have 10-ish tracks ready to go, with a few others on the side that we could also use if we wanted to."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
"The Burden, Trash Magz, Nerve, Claymore, Nitro, Ball & Chain, Planet on a Chain, Triage, Evokation, HORDERS, Iron Age, Guttercunt, Bladejob, The Hates, Warbride, KNURD."
Pick up a vinyl copy of the Pack Mentality LP via Phage Tapes.
Pack Mentality on social media: Instagram
Tagged: pack mentality
