You ever hear a song and just know that it’s going to turn into an obsession? Do you ever listen to something and just feel that the band gets you? These are all very dramatic statements, I realize that, but I felt both of those things the first time I heard “Sadness Shared (Is Sadness Squared)” by Homer Junior. It was love and first listen and I just had to know more about this band so here’s my quick interview that I did with Jack from Homer Junior!
What’s a new hobby you have taken up during quarantine? If no hobby, is there a random TV show that you binged/ have a very strong opinion on?
I’m not sure if they count as hobbies but I’ve been doing a ton of different things nearly every day, from DIY to baking, from piling hours into the PlayStation, or gardening! My wife grew loads of vegetables so they’ve been really great to cook with and try out some new recipes with!
If you could compare yourself to a bird, what bird would it be and why?
Not strictly a bird but a rubber duck for no other reasons than all I’m really useful for is floating around and making noise!
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Oat Milk or Soy Latte for coffee but I’m more of a tea drinker. Our drummer, Sam, and I work together and we go through about 12 cups a day between us!
When playing Monopoly- who is the banker, who is what “icon”, who is the first to flip the board?
Tom’s the banker and the board flipper! I’d say Sam was the dog, Tom the Racecar, and I’ll be the boat!
What’s the worst concert you’ve ever been to?
Holy hell this is a tricky one! I work as a live sound engineer, so there are a ton I can think of and some particularly grotty venues! (Thankfully way more good than bad!) but one that sticks out, was at this dank working men’s club on an August bank holiday a few years ago. It was glorious weather outside so nobody was in the venue. There was no AC, the place was covered in damp, sticky, smelly carpet and I was stuck listening to two drunk guys with a guitar and an iPad singing out of tune Depeche Mode covers!
Are you okay with unconventional interview questions? (too late!)
Haha absolutely, these are so fun!
Did Matt Skiba help or hurt Blink 182? Or, if you have no opinion, that’s fine too (although I’ll absolutely be judging you)!
Ooof, I hope there isn’t a word limit to this, I’ll try and keep things concise! I’ve been a HUGE Alkaline Trio fan for years, not only have they been idols to me, but their music was a big open door to a ton of other bands who have really shaped what I’m into musically and who I am as a person. At the same time, I’ve always been a Blink fan too, maybe not to the same extent but growing up, there was no way you could be into playing guitar in a band and not know at least 3 or 4 blink covers!
Has Matt helped or hurt Blink though? Eeeshh I really don’t know! When I first saw them playing together I thought it was pretty cool and he did an awesome job! With the release of California, I thought there were some fun tracks on the album but I wouldn’t put them in the same camp as other Blink releases, it felt similar but like a different act entirely!
To me, I think it almost would have been better to create a new spin-off band with Matt (and potentially another member or two) to release the material. I would have loved to have seen more +44 stuff at the same time in the same way that Tom Delonge is continuing with Angels and Airwaves but hey ho!
What’s the most awkward date you’ve ever been on?
It wasn’t really a date but my wife would probably say the time that we went out for my birthday with some friends, she wasn’t really feeling the best so went home to my Dad’s house (That she had only just met) and I, like the big fucking idiot that I am, got hammered, forgot that’s where we were staying, and ended up the other side of town asleep on my friend’s sofa! Suffice to say I think I’m very lucky she saw the funny side!
Favorite lyrics of all time? (it can be a full song, a phrase, etc. just please let me know who it is and what song!)
This is like the trickiest question so far! I love “The West Country Song – Gaz Brookfield” because it’s always reminded me of home and my friends! Gaz is such a lovely person too and I’m really pleased our paths crossed way back, he’s one of my favorite singer/songwriters!
What’s your favorite method of listening to music (i.e. vinyl, cassette, 8-track, etc.)?
Loud and in the car! I used to be a big CD collector but have switched to streaming, largely for convenience but secondly to cut down on any plastic or packaging waste. I’ll always try to buy a digital copy of a song or album before streaming, especially if it’s a special release!
If you were to rob a bank, what would be the song playing in the getaway car as you escape?
The Bad Parts – Timeshares. If you’ve not already, get in your car, roll the windows down, crank the volume and drive! It’s such a banger to hit the road to!
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
The Menzingers, Tigers Jaw, The Modern Farewell – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff! The whole day was pretty awesome, the show was off the chain, we were crowd surfing the whole time, and afterward, we had some weird cocktails called “A Pint of the Green Shit” from the pub across the road before eating our weight in noodles on the way home. 10/10 Would Recommend.
What’s one thing I should know before listening to “Sadness Shared (Is Sadness Squared)”?
We recorded this live, with nothing added or taken away at the end of the process! It’s all self-produced and self-released, so we’re just gunning it on our own!
The song itself is about that pretty grim feeling you get when your social battery has just died. You’re in a room full of people who love and care about you but you can’t shake the feeling that you’re just wasting their time by just being around. Sometimes it feels like a constant feeling, one that won’t ever go away. It’s weird knowing that other people feel the same at times. Brains are stupid!
As of now, this is just a stand-alone single– can we be expected a full length from you guys soon?!
Hopefully…we’ve got a whole bunch of songs currently in their demo phase, alongside a few of our previous releases that we would love to put out into the world! A full-length or an EP is a when not an if!
Yeah, like this didn’t make me fall in love with this band even more.From the rubber ducky comment to the deep, deep, deep thoughts on my Blink 182 question (long live +44!), I dream of the day I am able to see this band live. In the meantime, listening to “Sadness Shared (Is Sadness Squared)” will just have to suffice.Check out this amazing single here and make sure to follow the band on their socials (listed below):
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