Recently I was able to connect with Florida punk band, Debt Neglector, about their newly announced LP called Kinda Rips that will be released everywhere music is sold on April 4th via Smartpunk Records. In this interview with bassist/vocalist/ band founder Alex Goldfarb, I asked him about the themes present on Kinda Rips, the band’s music upbringing, and why they feel their music should connect with those upset with the political status quo. You can pre-save Kinda Rips here.
Thanks for your time today, Alex! Your fifth full-length studio album, called Kinda Rips, will be released on April 4th via SmartPunk Records. What are some of the themes that your band wanted to include on this new LP?
My songs have become sort of a journal for me to react to the world around me and the things going on in my life and in my head. As always there’s a slew of political songs on there since there have been so many things going on lately that make it really easy to get outraged and frustrated. Things like the country’s push towards fascism, how wealth inequality is crushing us, and how people are being horribly manipulated by the media. But there are plenty of personal songs on there as well dealing with things like my fear of failure as a new father, my never ending struggle to maintain my mental health, and dealing with insecurity. I never really have tried to thematically connect the songs on an album together. It’s more of a collage of the things rattling around in my brain that I feel the need to barf out into the world.
The political environment in the US has never been more divisive. What role do you think punk rock plays in shaping the narrative for decency in the world?
I think punk played a HUGE role in my own interest in politics. Getting into bands like Propaghandi when I was young and hearing them sing about shit that actually mattered was eye opening. And then things kind of spiraled from there for me. I know this is the lived experience of so many people. When music has a message it can expose you to ideas and concepts you may not have otherwise. I think when we can all get together and sing and yell about how things are really fucked up it’s cathartic and provides people with a release, a sense of community, and a little bit of hope. Those things all seem to be in short supply these days.
What was your band members’ music upbringing like? Were there any commonalities in your music tastes that made you want to play music together?
We actually could not be more different musically but somehow we’ve made it work! I’m very into older punk and hardcore from the 70’s and 80’s but enjoy a pretty wide variety of other things too. Our drummer Zach is a huge metalhead and listens to a lot of insanely technical shit. Burns is a pop punk guy. And Pfister is into Jazz and music theory and obsesses over the Beatles. There’s certain bands we can all get behind though like the Descendents (because they’re the best).
How would you describe a Debt Neglector concert?
Loud and energetic. Definitely political, but we’ve got a sense of humor too and like to have fun. It’s not all doom and gloom all the time despite what my lyrics may say.
Let’s discuss one of your newest singles called “Tight Lips.” What was the lyrical inspiration behind this track?
This one is about the dystopian takeover going on in the Florida Education system and how it’s attacking the LGBTQ+ population with unconstitutional bullshit laws. They’re down here banning books and alienating teachers and students as part of their idiotic culture war. As a former educator it’s really painful to see.
What are some causes that your band is still passionate about? How can fans of your music continue to stay involved?
We think it’s important to fight for immigrant rights, trans rights, reproductive freedom, and make sure any marginalized person is not being harmed or taken advantage of anywhere in the world. Oh and we really hate fascists and nazis which feels really relevant right now. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by how much bad shit is going on right now and how small a person can feel when going up against it. However, one good way to be involved without getting swallowed by the despair of it all is to do small things locally that help your own community. Shop small and stay out of the megastores if you can, and donate to mutual funds that provide actual direct care and support to people.
What advice would you give to fans of your band who are frustrated by the status quo going on in the world? And, do you feel Kinda Rips provides a bit of a reprieve from or perhaps a reaction to everything going on around us?
I wouldn’t say the songs are a reprieve, more of an opportunity to commiserate and not feel alone when it feels like everything sucks. I know there have been times when I felt bad about the world or myself, and hearing a song about something relevant made me feel a connection. It made me feel a little less weird and a little more ok. If these songs can give even a single person a minute of that feeling then I think we’ve done something right.