Action/Adventure submitted their music to be featured on the blog and were an instant sell for me. The Pop Punk style combined with the heavy instrumentals and intermittent screaming vocals is everything I love about a band. All I had to hear was one song, “Rationalize”, off their most recent EP, “Going Heel” to know these guys were the real deal! As always, I threw some interview questions the band’s way to get a firsthand account of what Action/Adventure is all about.
Action/Adventure is a Pop Punk band out of Chicago, Illinois. The band consists of Blake Evaristo (vocals), Brompton Jackson (guitar/vocals), Oren Trace (guitar), Adrian Brown (drums) and Alex Oregel (bass). They are the third Reverb Nation band/artist that is being featured on the blog, and one of my favorite up-and-coming bands! “Action/Adventure combines punchy Pop Punk lyricism with the heavy tones into one complete package brimming with pure energy”.
When I asked when the members of the band first took an interest in the music scene, they said “I think we can all attest to the fact that seeing our favorite bands live acted as a catalyst to push us into making music. We felt the connection through the instruments and lyrics and figured – ‘we want that too’. There was nothing like spending high school nights in some seedy venue singing and moshing along to your favorite band”. This is something I respect so much. I hate when a band says they got into it for the fame and glory, or the late nights and parties. These guys supported their local scene, rocked out to shows that probably weren’t sold out shows (as most local shows aren’t) and drew enough inspiration from the energy and excitement of those shows to want to do it themselves. That is what being a musician is all about! The energy and excitement of these local shows is most of what keeps this blog going, so I one hundred percent understand the view point of Action/Adventure!
Action/Adventure stated that they have so many influences that they try to honor within their music. “To pick a few, I feel you can definitely hear the influence of Four Year Strong, The Story So Far, and old Fall Out Boy in our music”. Four Year Strong and old A Day to Remember were the bands I thought of immediately when I listened to the band. Action/Adventure creates the perfect balance between the upbeat Pop Punk style with hardcore, nasty breakdowns and riffs that their influences do as well!
I started out listening to their most recent EP, “Going Heel”, prior to listening to earlier releases. Because of that, I wanted to hear how the band felt their music has evolved since they began. “With every release we feel that our music changes slightly – in a good way. Overtime we’ve been able to hone in on what works, what doesn’t, and what we need to cut. I’d say our early stuff definitely includes much more riffle and breakdowns, which we love. Now though, we place those parts more strategically where they hit much stronger without being so excessive”. I can say with certainty that Action/Adventure has honed in on their craft and have perfected their sound exactly as they see it. If you don’t believe me, just listen to “Rationalize”! That song has the perfect placement for the awesome breakdown that I’m sure has fans going insane during shows!
“Going Heel” is a six track EP that is hit after hit! It starts off with “Going Heel”, a short forty second introduction that builds up perfectly. The song starts off soft and slow, with beautiful guitar chords and calm vocals by Blake Evaristo. If you weren’t familiar with Action/Adventure, you may think they’re a softer, poppy type band; that is until they quickly and effortlessly transition into “Parachutes”. “Parachutes” demonstrates Action/Adventure’s true colors with the classic heavy Pop Punk sound. Throughout the song, the upbeat instrumentals and vocals keep you dancing and singing along. Shortly into the song, the band graces us with the first breakdown of the album and it is nasty! I can’t wait to get the chance to see them in action; I’m sure their shows are insane!
Action/Adventure continues “Going Heel” with “Departures” and “Dark Passenger”. “Departures” is a song that everyone will be singing at the top of their lungs at every show the band plays! “You don’t get used to contemplating loss, and it’s only creeping closer. From start to end, you were always my friend, man it never gets easier. And hey kid, I’ll miss you too”! “Dark Passenger” comes next and is sure to be another fan favorite. Action/Adventure took a heavier approach with this one, with darker guitar chords and fast-paced drumming. Fans will go wild every time they hear that introduction guitar riff. It’s heavy and upbeat, the perfect mix for Pop Punk fans to throw down in the pit!
“Going Heel” ends with “LXVI” and “Rationalize”, my two favorite songs on the EP. I can easily identify the inspiration for “LXVI”. The song reminds me so much of Four Year Strong and Set Your Goals. For any fan of those bands, you know they come with killer instrumentals and loud vocals. Action/Adventure matches that perfectly! “Some things are meant to be lost, so I’ll make the best of bad advice and bad news. Cause this is who I am, and all I’ll ever be. I had your best interest in mind, could you say the same for me?” The EP ends with “Rationalize”, my favorite and the first song I heard by the band. The instrumentals and vocals are irresistible. Every time I listen to this jam I can’t help but rock along and headbang like crazy. Action/Adventure incorporated my favorite breakdown of the EP on “Rationalize”! If you haven’t listened to this song by the now (the third time I’m mentioning it) then you are seriously missing out!
Action/Adventure stated “we’re a bunch of colored dudes trying to make some Pop-Punk music. It’s not uncommon for people to sheepishly tell us, ‘I didn’t think you guys would sound like…like that!’ We’re never mad at that. We’re just trying to make music we love. It’s cool sometimes cause we feel our color gives us an almost underdog feel. Either way, we hope we can help show others that the color of our skin doesn’t have to dictate the music you listen to.” I try to teach my student’s this all the time, so I love that Action/Adventure touched on this! Everyone needs to realize that music is universal. It does not matter who you are or what you look like, listen to what you enjoy!
“We hope to get our music heard by as many people as possible. Having the ability to connect with others through music is such a cathartic feeling on both fronts, so we hope to reach out to many ears and hope they can get something out of it whether it’s feeling our words or getting the urge to dance.” Action/Adventure has made it into my top band’s list, so it’s only a matter of time before you’re all rocking out to them too! Make sure to check the band’s social media accounts, and listen to music from “Going Heel” on the blog’s Spotify playlist: After Hours Review!