Shutups: The Loudest Band From Oakland California

Photo by April Massey

Shutups are embarking on their Treefort premiere this week. The Oakland foursome is described as the loudest band. Their gritty, guitar-driven sound is a welcome change from the wave of shiny, overly polished alternative rock that has dominated the past decade. Their bombastic live shows contrast with the band's quiet off-stage demeanor. I sat down with members Hadley, Mia, Bud, and Eric at The Manor in Caldwell, Idaho, to discuss the resurgence of guitar rock, Oakland’s punk rock lineage, and the band’s long friendships. Do not miss Shutups’ Treefort show this Saturday at The Shredder in downtown Boise. 

AM: Your foundation as a band is built on long-enduring friendships; how do you think that influences the way the band operates and how you make music?

Mia: That is a hard one. They have actually known each other way longer than Hadley, and I have. I have known Hadley for ten years, but they all went to elementary school together.

Hadley: I have known Bud for twenty years probably.

Mia: They started in church band together.

Bud: Eric and I did not know each other for most of our lives, but we actually grew up around the corner from each other.

Hadley: We do not necessarily write to impress each other, but when we are putting a song together, we are thinking about each other’s parts.

Mia: It is an empathetic kind of songwriting. When we bring in influences, it is like telling a friend about a band you are stoked on. Also, there is a warmth; I do not know how it would be if we were just workmates.

Hadley: No one is hired for the position; we are all in this band because we want to be.

Eric: Especially with being on the road, it feels like a family bond. We lean on each other sometimes for comfort. On the road, we are always watching each other’s backs.

AM: Hadley, a lot of your early songwriting was informed by a serious illness that forced you to stay inside for a long period of time. For the past two years, that scenario has been on replay globally. Has that put you into a weird headspace of deja vu, or has it inspired new material?

Hadley: This time around, it was a lot more productive. I think we all benefited from being made to stay at home, as far as the band goes. I did not get writing done during my first stay-at-home period. I was not in the mood for it. But, we were very much in the mood for it this time around. I did not have any flashbacks; it was much more enjoyable this time around. 

AM: In the past few years, indie and alternative rock have started to pull away from the shiny, polished sound it has cultivated over the past decade. Bands like yourselves are leading the charge back to a more gritty sound. What do you think has facilitated that change?

Mia: Natural waves happen. It did feel like a really long decade or more of just moving away from rock and roll in general. Everything was going in an electronic direction for a long time; guitar bands are just starting to be desirable again. We will see what that facilitates. It is exciting to witness. 

Hadley: I have noticed fender is targeting a younger audience by making their guitars more short scale, more approachable colors. Their marketing campaign has just been kids. I think that is definitely playing into it. 

Mia: There is a return to a heavier genre too. Grung and new metal are coming back around again. It is a replay of the late ‘90s, early 2000s, which was our childhood. That has been beneficial in that it is fun for us to revisit.

Bud: Also, it makes the live shows way more fun and exciting.

Mia: Since the beginning, we have bragged about being the loudest band, so it goes hand in hand.

AM: Being from the Oakland area, you are surrounded by a huge lineage of punk and hardcore music. Do you think that helps or hinders you in any way?

Bud: It helps for sure.

Mia: I do not think we are part of the bay area punk or hardcore scene per say. It is very insular in the way it operates. I like that we do not really blend in, and we do our own thing. For me, at least, it feels more unique. But, it has helped that we are from a very musical place.

Eric: That foundation being there has helped provide a basis or a way for other people to interact with and understand our band. It has definitely helped, but we are not necessarily upholding that lineage exactly.

AM: What music are you listening to right now that you are really excited about?

Mia: When doing the booking research for this tour, I found a lot of good bands. I was really excited for Cryogyser, Julie, and Mama.

Hadley: We were just in Austin riding the noise-rock vibes with bands like The Cherubs.

Bud: An artist I just discovered, Ata Kak, is playing here at Treefort. I’m excited about that.

Hadley: The new Deerhoof record; I’m really excited about that.

Eric: I have just been on a month-long Sparks kick.

This interview has been edited and condensed