Chopping Block is continuing their winning streak, taking a victory lap from last year’s Seattle’s Hardcore EP. So far this year, they have dominated the Pacific Northwest with appearances in Washington, Oregon, opening Day 2 of Tacoma’s Just Another Gig Volume Six, a Midwest weekend with No Guard in April, and a trip up to Canada way back in January.
The band recently announced an exclusive track on Brain Floss Records’ Where Do We Go - A Northwest Hardcore Compilation and their appearance on Indecision Records’ Northwest Showcase.
You must be thinking, wait a second–if they’re on the showcase, does that mean they are on Indecision? If you’ve asked yourself this question, then you’ve already thought about what we are here to discuss today with Chopping Block bassist Matt: the band signing to the seminal Orange County, California hardcore label, and releasing their (long-awaited) debut full-length album this fall.
Man, you are halfway through a very busy year. I thought you were staying really active last year! Do you think that the activity has ramped up since you released Seattle’s Hardcore or stayed relatively the same?
We’ve tried to stay busy! It’s been a busy year, especially because behind the scenes we’ve been working on this record for months. Our band chat is active seven days a week, sometimes coordinating upcoming shows and other time working on the recording.
We’ve definitely ramped up since last year, but what I’m sure of is that the upcoming year is going to be another level entirely.
What can we expect on this LP?
If you liked our EP Seattle’s Hardcore you’re going to love this record.
We drew inspiration from every era of hardcore, from '80s NYHC like Agnostic Front, the early 2010s Boston bands like Rival Mob and No Tolerance, to more hardcore-punk influences like Nerve Agents and Kid Dynamite. It’s fast, aggressive, and honest. I’m so excited for people to hear it.
Tell us about your two brand new singles: “Phony” and “Eyes Fall."
These are two of my favorite Chopping Block songs. I remember when Brent brought "Phony" to practice, I was absolutely floored. The riffs in the song were so fun to play and have been stuck in my head from the moment I heard them.
I love "Eyes Fall," too. Antonio really outdid himself with the lyrics, I love that he writes thoughtful, interesting, and vulnerable lyrics. I think the two songs together do a nice job of showing our influences and hint at some of the range we’re finding for this LP.
How did you link up with Indecision?
Indecision Records has been the hardcore label for me. I love that they have consistently put out awesome bands for like 30 freaking years, so I was stoked out of my mind when they reached out to talk about doing a record.
Count Me Out, The Promise, and The Suicide File were the bands I obsessed over in my teens. Indecision has kept putting out awesome music - Odd Man Out, Whirlwind, Bent Blue. It’s incredible to be on the same label as these bands.
What are you looking forward to at the Indecision Northwest Showcase?
Indecision Records has always shown out for northwest hardcore, all the way back to Undertow. Within just a couple days of talking to Indecision about doing the record my wheels were turning about all the great NWHC bands that they had worked with.
I’m looking forward to the melting pot of new bands like Odd Man Out and Chopping Block with NWHC legends Stay Gold and Hardesty,
What is the band up to for the rest of the year?
Man, lots of things in the works right now. I’m really pumped on this Indecision showcase as well as the Brain Floss NWHC comp and show coming out in September.
We’re putting together a record release weekend and some more fun weekends and trips in the Northwest and California. I can’t wait to play out on these songs!
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Northwest Indecision showcase tickets are available here.
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