The Seize is a band from San Diego, California straddling the line between punk 'n' roll and hardcore. Speaking of their approach, vocalist Cesar tells No Echo: "I wanted to start something where we blended a bunch of sounds in into and create something new yet still familiar. I wanted the sound to be catchy yet still have the aggressive approach we're all already used to playing with."
Cesar brought in some other locals to complete The Seize lineup. "Joe’s someone who I’ve played in a couple bands with. We have similar tastes, and he’s a killer drummer. Mateo, he’s family, which is rad. He’s a crazy talented guitarist. We tend to hear things in a similar way. Philly and Sergio both played in a band called Intercom(RIP), they dug what I was doing so I asked them to play."
Released last month, The Seize's self-titled debut EP is a catchy affair, complete with tasty hooks and a punchy mix by Jared Cluff at Left Coast Sound.
"We take influences from a bunch of stuff from hardcore punk to power pop. Influences would be my favorite bands such as Ramones, Exploding Hearts, Jay Reatard, Cheap Trick, Dark Thoughts, Big Eyes, Bad Brains, and Wipers, just to name a few."
Influences aside, Cesar is trying to carve out a "Seize sound" with the band. "When I write I try to not mimic someone’s specific sound. I feel when you’re busy trying to sound like someone else you lose what’s make your voice unique. Music always hits harder when it comes from a real place, not trying to copy what’s been done."
Despite living just a 2-hour drive from San Diego, I rarely get to shows there. I ask Cesar for his take on the punk scene in his hometown. "There's a lot of great bands coming out of San Diego right now, theres something for everyone and everyone’s very supportive of each other. Human Future Records puts in a lot of work putting out music, with about 80 percent being local San Diego bands, they also book alot of the hardcore punk shows here.
"Forever Ending Records is also label putting out some sick local stuff and booking shows. Dredd Presents, Pikos y Lagrimas, Torn Apart Media and Fear of Noise are other awesome promoters putting great shows here in San Diego.
"The Print Shop is my favorite spot, it’s a tiny room where they screen print during the day and have shows at night, the Che Café who’s been holding hardcore shows for 30+ years now, and we have Whistle Stop doing the 21+ shows."
Cesar clearly appreciates the support The Seize has received from the San Diego punk community. "I wanna shout everyone who’s filled in for us, Dense, Joseph, A.H., Jared, we all have busy schedules and other bands, so having solid people who can step in has really kept this whole thing alive.
"Thanks to Mikey and Bryan from Human Future, Nate at Forever Ending for putting out the EP and being down with what we’re doing. Shout out to Hereditary, Axe Collector, Therapy, DMFK, Sangre, Gruntwork, Subversive Intent, Aggravate, Tourist, Sledges, Big Attitude, Yield, Serenity, Madrugado."
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The Seize EP is available on 7" via Human Future Records
The Seize on social media: Instagram
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