Melodic-punk veterans Freewill, originally established in 1987, continue to embody the spirit of hardcore ethos within their music. Following their recent single “The Weight,” the California band unveils their latest offering, “As We Sleep.” Both tracks stem from their upcoming split release with fellow Californian outfit Spark of Life, available for vinyl pre-order on New Age Records.
“As We Sleep” ventures into the realms of skate-punk, featuring circle-pit-ready rhythms that seamlessly transition into lively tempos. Frontman Paul Cranston’s high-pitched vocals carry a poignant message, shedding light on the current state of media consumption in America.
Delving deeper into the lyrics, Cranston shares, “‘As We Sleep‘ examines the growing number of Americans living in silent desperation while deceptive media outlets attempt to assign blame for our society’s shortcomings. It has become increasingly challenging to discern the truth, leading people to grasp onto their own subjective ‘truths.'”
Freewill’s rich history dates back to their formation in 1987, when a group of friends fused their love for DC hardcore (Dag Nasty/Embrace) with West Coast punk (7 Seconds/Descendents). Their inaugural performance saw them open for Agnostic Front and The Offspring in 1988. Shortly after, the band embarked on recording their debut album under Wishingwell Records. However, the record faced unforeseen circumstances as the label dissolved, leaving their debut unreleased.
In 2015, their long-awaited album, “Sun Return,” finally saw the light of day, 28 years after its recording, thanks to New Age Records. The band regrouped for a benefit show honoring their friend Jon Bunch (Sense Field), reigniting their creative drive and leading to new music and performances alongside renowned acts like Dag Nasty, Samiam, and Texas is the Reason. Their resulting album, “All This Time,” recorded by producer/engineer Paul Miner, was released on Unity Worldwide Records in 2021. Since then, Freewill has been actively playing shows, crafting new material, and reuniting with Miner for their upcoming split release with Spark of Life, featuring the powerful tracks “The Weight” and “As We Sleep.”
Freewill, comprising Paul Cranston (guitar/vocals), Mike Hartsfield (bass), Charlie Trujillo (drums), and Evan Cranston (guitar), showcases a timeless dedication to their craft as they continue to make their mark on the melodic-punk scene.
Freewill is set to ignite the stage with their performance on June 1st at Supply & Demand in Long Beach, CA. Joining forces with them for this show is Cosmic Kitten.
