It’s that time of year again, when the masses make their best attempt at righteousness for about the first two weeks of the New Year. Some of us will go to the gym once or twice, others will give up cigarettes for a week or two, but usually we’re plagued with the same glorious vices from the previous year by the time February rolls around.
We wanted to know what Boston bands were trying to muster this year, and got some, uh, interesting results. From eating more tacos to buying more cigarettes to murdering bandmates, Boston really never fails to entertain:
Animal Flag:
“My New Year’s resolution is to calm the fuck down. And also read more books.” – Matthew Politoski
Burglary Years:
“I’d say our main goal entering the New Year is to finally put out the record we’ve been working on for the past three years, which is definitely already happening so check that off the list. Otherwise, another goal would be to kill Greg (vocals) and re-enact Weekend at Bernie’s with the remaining members of Burglary Years as the supporting cast.
“Belle and Sebastian is putting out a new record in 2015. So is Marilyn Manson. Very, very much looking forward to 2015 as a whole. 2014 was pretty rugged and I think everyone is ready for some fresh fire.”
Creaturos:
“We’re super excited about the new year. We’ve been writing a bunch and can’t wait to get back in the studio! That being said, I am actually building a studio with Ian Doerr (Beach Toys, Doug Tuttle Band) and Evan Murphey (Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion) in the South End that should be completed early 2015! We’re keeping details limited until we’re closer to opening but it will be in the Newmarket Industrial neighborhood and will have 13-foot ceilings!!!
“I guess as resolutions go we’re just going to try and put out more stuff than last year and play out of town more often. Pretty standard stuff.” – Spenser Gralla
The Dazies (and other various Boston projects)
“I work 50-60 hours a week. It is emotionally and psychically draining.
I also play in Mean Creek, Slowdim, American Echoes, The Dazies, Dirty Bangs, Trabants and a few others. When you add all those to the pile. There’s really no time left. In 2015 my biggest resolution is to just slow down a bit and breathe.
“What I look forward to the most in 2015 in a new slate. A fresh start with endless possibilities. I do a home recording 4-track thing called ‘on a basement on a hill in Somerville.’ I’m going to put out a fuck ton of new jamz!” – Mikey Holland
Dinoczar:
“The D-boys have a few resolutions for 2015. To start, we want to become more fatherly, including utilizing many colognes and wearing khakis. Also on our resolution dossier: meeting and collabing with Tommy Wiseau, developing object permanence and buying a van. We are looking forward to playing shows in the New Year with our friends and fav bands around Boston.”
Funeral Advantage:
“I wasn’t originally going to make a resolution for 2015 but it’s come to light recently that a lot of people think I’m kind of a crab apple. So I’m going to try and be more positive and generally friendlier to people in 2015 and see where that gets me. Who knows, maybe this will finally be my year. Tryna squash beef and be less sarcastic. I probably won’t end up keeping this resolution.
“What am I looking forward to? Well 2014 was a slow, slow year for our band. A lot of things happened that set us back a few pegs in terms of releases and tours and stuff, but the first half of 2015 is going to be host to a bunch of new releases as well as a lot more shows with newer, poppier songs, instruments, etc. We have a music video for a new single coming out in a month or so. I’m really looking forward to that.
“Also new releases from other bands? Catenine EP, Lost Film LP, Wild Nothing LP I think. Loom single/LP. Also maybe a new MBV EP? IDK why I’m getting my hopes up though. Stay positive.” – Tyler Kershaw
Ghost Thrower:
“I had a teacher ask this question when I was in 3rd grade and I think my response was along the lines of: “Have my mother lock me in the bathroom for the duration of my teeth brushings to insure that I was in there for long enough to have pearly whites” and I think my teacher kind of took that as if my mother abused me, which she never did. It turned into a whole misunderstanding with my mom and the teacher having to meet and discuss me and the strange things I would say or do. Turns out I was just a weird kid. Like, really weird. So this question is always funny to me. I stopped making New Year’s resolutions and now try to make myself better on a daily basis. If I had to answer, I’d say: Be creative and honest every day. Cheers to 2015!” – Travis Alexander
Holm:
“My new years resolution is to make consensual physical contact with wild animals more so that one day they let me into their kingdom.
“In 2015 I’m looking forward to making it to the big time and making my first billion dollars.”
Houseguests:
“Yo. Houseguests’ New Year’s resolution is to practice less inebriated and with more clothes on.”
Idiot Genes:
“Seems like before I make new resolutions I should look back at the ones I made last year and see if I did well.
“2014 resolutions:
- Play cool shows.
- Record an album
- Make a bunch of money
- Quit smoking
“So totally did number one. We played lots of cool shows with really cool people at really cool places. Didn’t record an album or anything at all, so definitely failed on that one. Didn’t make any money, we actually have less money then we’ve ever had so that’s another fail. Obviously the quit smoking one is a fail, I mean I managed to quit buying cigarettes but all that means is I just bum them everyday.
“So I guess this year I’ll just make one resolution to keep it simple, which is to start buying my own cigarettes again and keep smoking. Happy New Year.” – Pete Bayko
Loom:
“In 2015 I would like to drink more water, go on tour, put out a record (or several), spend more time outside and give everyone a shot even if they seem like a jerk. I am looking forward to the new Joey Bada$$ record, putting out the first Loom full length, meeting new people and sharing experiences with them.” – Kevin King
Mean Creek
“On a personal level a lot of my resolutions started back in June of this year. I started eating healthy, exercising every day, and I quit drinking. I’ve lost over 20 pounds and I feel like a totally different person. I’m much healthier & stronger mentally and physically. My New Year’s resolution is to continue down that path, and to be more productive towards making more positive changes and creative endeavors of all different kinds in the New Year.
“As a band, we are focused on writing and recording new music right now. The first week of 2015 we’ll be headed back into the studio to record new songs with our good friend/longtime producer/5th member of the band Chris McLaughlin. We hope to do a lot more of that in 2015.” – Chris Keene
Nice Guys:
“Our new beers resolution is to put out a whole bunch of new music for the nice people out there to drink weed and smoke beers to. We also resolve to go to cities and towns where we’ve never gone to drink and smoke with the nice people there and play music for them. Finally, we resolve to be on more end of year lists in 2015.”
Night Lights:
“My personal New Year’s resolution is to gather the courage to step up to the roles that are demanding of me and ever-changing.
“For Night Lights, my resolution for the band is that we are able to maintain our hearts humble and our spirits high while facing the giants that call on us.” – Mau Jimenez
“We’re excited about meeting other bands and playing awesome shows with them in 2015!” – Yusuke Sato
Palehound:
“My New Year’s resolution is to overcome the feelings of inadequacy to men that I’ve been conditioned to have as a woman. Also I should def watch less TV and leave the house more even when I really don’t want to, which is most of the time.” – Ellen Kempner
Skinny Bones:
“By this time next year we hope our drum set is totally different from what it is now. Present us won’t recognize the instruments that future us play.”
Soft Fangs:
“My resolutions consist of refining the same processes, hitting the road hard as a nail, and recording my first full-length album. 2015 should be a busy year, but I’m looking forward to all that is to come. I’d also like to drink less coffee, but I don’t foresee that happening, particularly with all the driving I plan on doing.
“I think it’s going to be a great year.” – John Lutkevich
Vundabar:
“2013 was a definitive pizza year for the Vundabar regime. This gave way to 2014, which was on the whole a metamorphosis for Vundabar as they began the change from pizza to tacos. With the New Year we hope to see the fruition of this, and the three of us becoming newly hatched taco butterflies. The taco is a far more practical way of delivering energy to the body. Protein. Carbs. Lipids. In essence, the closest thing to a miracle dietary pill, fulfilling every dietary need of the body.
“On a more business related note, we also plan to focus on re-branding ourselves as a ‘children of Bob Marley’ sort of band. There always seems to be a child of Bob Marley on tour, and they always seem to be doing alright (Ziggy, Damien, Steve, Zogg, Dog, etc). If we were to pose as a ‘children of Marley’ band, we could create a sustainable living, which would in turn give us more time to focus on Vundabar. Every child of Marley has their own approach (Damien: I’m an angry guy. Ziggy: I’m a happy guy. Steve: Bob Marley is my dad.). We plan to be a hardcore straight edge band, in which we would be taking digs at our father for his marijuana habit; a black sheep to the Marley clan. The goal would be a record release coupled with a full-length movie, videogame, and merchandizing to boot. From there – stock investment options, perfume lines, and who knows what else. The sky is the limit.”