Red Rash Collective

Our interview with The Ferns.

When you think of bands in the local music scene, they are generally in the 18-26 year old range. However, you don’t usually see kids who are 14-17 making a name for themselves and getting respect, but The Ferns are doing just that. With influences from big bands like Real Estate, Arctic Monkeys and The Beatles, to more local bands like High Pop, Spook Houses, and The Guru. The Ferns are about to put out a full length album and Red Rash is very excited about it. When we first discovered them in December of 2010, they were just getting to find their own sound. Now, they are putting that sound to its fullest potential. We sat down with Brendan from The Ferns to get the scoop on what they have planned, a history of them, and other stuff.

Q:You guys have been good friends for a really long time. When did you decide to become a band?

A: Well we had always been into music. Growing up, going on little car trips with our moms and just jamming to some Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the car itself was a huge influence. Drew and I picked up the guitar at 10 and the Nye’s inherited a drumset from their grandpa and it all just blasted off from their i suppose! I was about 10 when we really started to jam.

Q:You guys got into the local scene at an early age, which is pretty fucking cool. What bands got you into it?

A: Yeah man. We played Jamfest over at Mills back in early 2010. We were really into bands like Adrenaline and Midnight Snack. But then later last year, Figurehead became close w/ us and we had a big bond goin on with that. And they kind of just showed us the way hahahaha.

Q:Speaking of the bands, what bands influence you with writing?

A: Well I mean personally speaking, i’m a huge local guy. Bands like High Pop, The Guru, Two Humans, Spook Houses, Figurehead,and guys like that really have rubbed off. I mean, it’s not like we go out with intentions to make similar music to those artists or anything, but they surely have rubbed off a bit. And then, there’s a bunch of other cool guys like Real Estate, The Beatles, Girls, and Ty Segall that have really rubbed off on me as well.

Q:I gotta ask, what has been your favorite show that you’ve played so far?

A: Personally speaking, I really was feelin Jamfest this year. I’m not really sure what was going on with the crowds response but they seemed to love it. But as a band, we probably could all agree that we played our best at the Figurehead CD Release basement show this past summer.

Q: You guys are currently recording your first full album, how are the songs coming out/How are they different from your other releases?

A: Yeah man. We’re feeling really confident so far. The songs so far are sounding pretty solid. The big difference with this release is we’re taking our time. (hahaha). All our previous releases have been just terribly mixed, rushed tracks. We have really been just trying to chill out, and get some work done at the same time which seems to be working out pretty good. And since we’re home-recording, it has been/will be all that more satisfying in the end :)

Q:You guys have played a good amount of basement shows. What is it that you like about them versus other shows you have played?

A: Basement shows man. Well for starters, the kids that show up are the most respectful kids ever. Like even if they aren’t feeling it, they’ll usually stick around for any band no matter what. They all have such fun vibes to them, which is great and I really personally just prefer them over bigger shows. Jamfest has always been a favorite of us, but man I just honestly prefer a small basement set over a large scale stage set anyday.

Q:You guys are always coming up with songs. Do most of them go into The Ferns, or do you guys have side projects that they go into as well?

A: Well, I mean yes and no. There’s been some B-sides that we’re like “yeah this rules” and then overnight, it’s like “okay trash that” hahaha. And then we all have just side projects in general. Speaking of which, the new N8NYE/nadnerb split just came out on bandcamp. peep that ;) nadnerb.bandcamp.com

Q:What are your future plans for The Ferns? Do you see yourselfs growing as a band even more?

A: Future plans: Finish recording this album, make some shirts, and cassettes too. Also, we’re planning to record our next EP or sophomore album (tehehe) all on a 4 track. That should be super duper fun. And who knows man, I mean we’ve been trying to cherish the whole idea that we’re all still pretty young in age, I mean Parker is only 13, so we will just have to stay positive about everything and keep on truckin’! PCE MANG thnx 4 the interview BBY