Reggae Rock News

Reggae Rock News:

1. Can you start by introducing yourselves and the roles you play in the

band?

Howi Spangler :

I’m Howi Spangler and I sing and play guitar for Ballyhoo!.

Reggae Rock News

2. How did the band form, and what’s the story behind the band name

Howi Spangler:

My parents took my brother and I to shows when were really little. I saw bands like Ratt, Poison, Def Leppard when I was 6 or 7 years old.

The band name came from a friend when we were kids. She pitched it one day when were hanging out. It was a weird word to hear but I could see it in lights in my head. We probably should’ve changed it 25 years ago, honestly. Ha ha.

Reggae Rock News:

3.  Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and influences?

Howi Spangler:

I grew up loving hair metal and then I really liked R&B for a bit. Artists like Boyz 2 Men, TLC and Mary J Blige come to mind. That stuff still gets me in the feels.

And then Green Day and Nirvana happened and it was a whole new world for me. I started listening to Stone Temple Pilots, Operation Ivy, Rancid and later 311, No Doubt, Sublime, Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger. All those bands influenced my writing in different ways.

Reggae Rock News

4. How would you describe your music style?

Howi Spangler:

I call it “Beach Rock”. We’re not a reggae band. We’re not really a punk band either. It’s just a mix of all that stuff I mentioned above. When I see people talking about going to the reggae show and they’re talking about us, I get it, but to me it’s not what we do. But it’s just easier to categorize us that way, I guess.

Reggae Rock News

5. What inspires your songwriting and musical compositions?

Howi Spangler:

I like to write about my experiences or just describe my feelings the best I can. It’s a form of therapy for me. I’m trying to get better at telling stories as well. It’s nice to paint a picture for listeners. I’m stoked when I hear that a song is hitting someone in a special way that helps them. It still blows my mind that our music affects people in a super positive way.

Reggae Rock News

6. Can you take us through your typical creative process when writing and

producing music?

Howi Spangler:

It usually starts with a melody or a one-liner in my head. I’ll throw it in my Voice Notes for later. And then eventually I’ll go through my notes and see what hits me that day. Then I’ll open up Pro Tools and start laying the bones for a demo. Sometimes I’ll be really excited and build out the entire song in a few hours. Other days I’ll get that one melody down and hit a brick wall. Songwriting is both rewarding and unforgiving. Ive learned I just need patience. If it’s not happening one day or even a couple months, I just have to let it come when it’s ready. Once things are rolling though, I spend countless hours obsessing over all of it to make sure it’s perfect. With every album I get less of “damn I should have done that there” or “why did I sing that like that?”.

Reggae Rock News

7. Are there any specific themes or messages you aim to convey through

your songs?

Howi Spangler:

There are a lot of songs that get into depression, stress and dealing with anger/pain. I’m just telling people how I feel.

Reggae Rock News

8. Tell us about your latest album or project?

Howi Spangler:

We spent a year and a half making this one. Our albums over the last 10 years have been recorded in 2 or 3 weeks. It was nice to sit with these for so long. My only goal was to write the best songs I could. I think “Shellshock” is the best representation of what we do…and what the Beach Rock sound is.

Reggae Rock News

9. Are the any specific tracks on your latest release that hold special

meaning for you? If so, why?

Howi Spangler:  ‘

Prisoner’ is a heavy one about dealing with deep depression. I think the music helps push the narrative along too. I’m really proud of that one.

‘Clip My Wings’ is a song about cutting toxic people out of your life in pursuit of a happy life. Trying not to be mad or stressed all the time and enjoying the life I have.

Mike Cubillos

Earshot Media

[email protected]

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