OUTSIDE‘s brand new LP, Green In You, out November 27th via Head2Wall Records, comes three long and formative years after their incredible self-released debut LP, and picks up leaps and bounds beyond the already-captivating groundwork it laid. An undeniable, riffy post-hardcore powerhouse, this Northwest Ohio trio has carved out their own unique place in that world by seamlessly and skillfully integrating elements of spacey shoegaze bands, buzz bin alternative rock, and early- and mid-’90s emo to create a powerful, affecting experience. With a pervasive and nagging darkness to the sound, but explosive, emotive, and even hopeful vocals, the enormity and comprehensive emotional impact of this record cannot be overstated.
“This all started in 2014. We were all in some form of hardcore/punk type of bands and became ultimately tired of playing heavy music; we wanted to sonically focus on the more emotional/atmospheric aspects of music.” – comments the band.
“Since then, with member changes, we were able to find our sound on the first LP about 3 years ago which was different than our previous EP’s. Immediately after this, we began writing batches of songs over the course of 2 years that would become Green In You. These songs took us out of our comfort zone and paved a new frame of writing styles for the band. With the help of JC Griffin at Lakebottom Studios in Toledo, Ohio, we were able to capture a sound that took us from the βshoegazeβ or βemoβ realms we were once pigeonholed to; we became a rock band rooted in elements of the bands we all came from and listen to. This record makes perfect sense as the beginning of our friendship with Head2Wall Records. The future is wide open, and weβre always thinking about whatβs next.”
Asked about their take on the final effect of “Green In You” they elaborated: “I think that this record is the truest representation of Outside and what I have always envisioned for the direction of this band. The music, thanks to Drew, touches a realm that we haven’t been to thus far and you can really hear his influence on the record. As for inspirations, weβre constantly finding new influences that bleed into what weβre writing.”
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“The lyrical content overall deals with the reality of adulthood and the seeing past the facade of your childhood; essentially seeing your heroes become human in front of your eyes. Thereβs just a lot of personal stuff that really hits you in your late 20βs/early 30βs differently than any other age; youβre no longer a kid but youβre also not entirely old and itβs so strange.”
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“Also with Outside not being our first band, weβve all been in bands in the Toledo scene that were more rooted in hardcore/punk.” – explain the band when asked about their local music community.
“In the current times, our scene is struggling just like any other. However, there are plenty of bands from the area that are constantly writing and releasing new music which is great. Weβre doing the best we can as a scene to not go stagnant completely, but also keeping the health and safety of our loved ones in mind.
There are local venues like Holland Haus that offer live streams for bands which is beyond helpful. And other local bands, like Drewβs band Mutilatred, have done live streams on social media sites that help keep interest afloat.
Another media outlet that has been contributing to the online streaming is our friend Chris βPeapodβ Daher who runs the On the Radar Podcast which will feature us in the near future. Ultimately, weβre struggling but are trying to do the best we can.”
Asked about some non-music related stuff they would like to convery through this article, the band’s drummer/singer Evin Daniels shared that he teaches 6th grade Math at the Toledo School for the Arts in Toledo, Ohio.
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“If you think this time is hard for the students, I canβt even begin to stress how it is for educators. This school year is unprecedented and will be known as one of if not the most difficult time for modern education. And please, do your best to protect yourself and those around you so we can be back in the classroom with no reservations one day.”
Track by track commentary, by drummer/singer Evin Daniels & bassist Cody Harris
1) Woodland Cemetery (Daniels):
The song is about how when I get stressed out by my current life, I escape my reality and think about being at my grandparents house when I was a kid. Even sitting here now I can think back to sitting on my Poppyβs lap watching a taped version of Home Alone 2 during Christmas time while my grandma would be cleaning the kitchen or sitting on the couch telling my sister and I jokes.
2) Green In You (Daniels):
The phrase βgreen in youβ refers to the good I see in myself that often gets overshadowed by my insecurities and fear of losing people I meet throughout my life. The song also reflects one of the darkest times in my life that doesnβt need much elaboration; itβs just a reminder to myself that everything will eventually get better.
3) Cass St. (Harris):
The house I grew up in was on Cass Street with my grandma. The song is about spending 3 days with her in the hospital while she passed away. The strangest part about the situation was that her hospital room number was the same as our address.
4) Neon Night (Daniels):
When I was younger, I played music at a local church. One of my friends that played with me passed from an overdose in recent years; he was like an older brother to me and the other members back then. The song is my take on the events that took place and how it may have affected their loved ones. Also, the term βneon nightβ was taken from a song my dad wrote called βNeon Nightsβ that talk about being in the wrong places at the wrong times.
5) Flowers From (Harris):
This song is essentially a βCass St. Part 2β; it deals with the aftermath of my grandmaβs passing. I kept flowers from her funeral in my room and I would have dreams of speaking with her. In these dreams, she would eventually tell me that, βthis wonβt help.β The song reflects me trying to cope with the events around her passing.
6) Rusted Sun (Harris):
At the time of getting ready to record this record, I wanted to find a subject matter for this song. I felt that I was able to express my feelings regarding my grandmaβs passing so I looked for other inspiration. I watched this documentary called The Bridge that discusses the suicides attempted at the Golden Gate Bridge. After watching this, I wanted to know more about the earlier accounts of this and found dates/stories of some of the earliest accounts of suicide that took place there. The song lists dates and suicide notes of the individuals discussed.
7) Nicotine (Daniels):
This was the first song written for this record and weβve been playing this song live for the last 2 and 1/2 years roughly since our last LP. The song deals with the lasting effects of people in your life and how it can eventually change you. For me, this is specifically about someone Iβve been close with for my entire life that has tendencies that have rubbed off on to me while trying to help them move forward.
8) My Home (My Own) (Daniels):
A few years ago, I was told by someone close to me that they had thoughts of wanting to end their life. This song was me trying to step into their shoes and try to interpret what they were feeling/thinking. Since Iβve known this person for quite some time, I know and have seen how they think and feel. The song focuses on feeling alone or forgotten but also being in fear of hurting those we love by making such choices like taking your own life.
9) Serotonin (Daniels):
Having the ending of My Home go directly into Serotonin was done purposely because the lyrics go hand-in-hand. When I was told about this person wanting to end their life, I was on tour in Atlanta and felt completely helpless in the situation. I had no clue if I was going to come home to a funeral or if it was just something that would blow over. I remember getting the phone call and not being able to sleep the whole 4/5 hour drive to Raleigh for the next show. The song is trying to explain to someone who feels totally empty that you love them and care about them while feeling like that love is not enough to save them. Luckily, the person didnβt end up following through and theyβre in a much better place now.
10) Riverwalk (Daniels):
Riverwalk is the only song thus far that I play guitar on. Funny enough, Drew is actually playing drums on this track which was something new for both of us. At the time, I was really diving into artists like Mazzy Star, Jeff Tweedy, George Jones, and ultimately Wille Nelson. I wanted to write a song that resembled my Poppy channeling his inner Jim Reeves when we would sit around a camp fire. The song focuses on finding love in an environment that love cannot exist which in my case was my hometown, Monroe, Michigan. I never experienced real love up until my current relationship and we met working at the same pizza place in Monroe; it was so random. Monroe is a very strange place full of ignorance and hatred that was once full of hope and beauty. That beauty is embodied in an area downtown called the Riverwalk where Iβve taken frequent walks to pass the time and really shows the culture of the city. The song just discusses my despair from the cityβs transition but also still being able to find love and happiness.
Extra: Bands to check out (locals and friends):
Tyler Heaven (Pittsburgh)
Mutilatred (Toledo)
Bone Folder (Toledo)
Pythian (Toledo)
MΔka (Toledo)
Libby DeCamp (Detroit)
Via Mardot (Detroit)
Cultist (Florida)
Wounded Touch (Detroit)
Jesus Wept (Detroit)
Hanging Fortress (Toledo)
+ literally every band on the Head2Wall Records roster (specifically Honeymoon and Small Stresses).
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