“Pleased With Me” stands as the irresistibly catchy debut single by SOFTJAW, hailing from Long Beach, California. Serving as a vibrant ode to the golden era of Power Pop, the track channels the spirit of influential bands like The Nerves and Cheap Trick.

In a musical landscape where acts such as Young Guv, The Whiffs, and The Prize pay homage to these iconic predecessors, SOFTJAW joins the ranks, affirming that the genre is indeed very much alive and thriving.

Sweet Sweet Music blog graciously provides a platform for the band to introduce themselves.

---

You can discover ‘Pleased With Me’ featured on the Best Power Pop of 2024 Spotify Playlist.

---

Could you share the journey of bringing this record to life? How did all the pieces come together to create the final product?

Dustin: Once Tanner and I got together for this project, the songs started taking shape right away. A few weeks later, we recruited Vinny and Dan, played a few shows, and hit the studio. It happened really quickly.

Tanner: I met Dustin at the local bar, and he dead ass came up to me and said he wanted to start a power pop band, and he wanted me in it because I rock so goddamn hard, and something along the lines of “you’re too badass to not be in a band with me,” and I was all, “you’re right”… Just kidding, I was wearing a Big Star shirt, and he asked if I liked The Nerves. I said, “that’s like a top-five favorite of all time.” Everything just got easier when Vin and Dan hopped on; it felt like they really made it a heavy-hitting group, and I’m so stoked to rock with these fellas.

Was there a particular moment or experience that struck you, signaling that you were onto something special with this project?

Dustin: The fact that we sounded pretty good right off the bat was it for me.

Tanner: It was probably when Dustin and I started singing together the first time we practiced; it’s not easy to find other rockers who wanna sing their ass off and harmonize like we do, and it was pretty instant that I knew this was gonna be fun.

Vinny: I knew when I heard the demos the songs were great, but hearing how good they sound live is pretty wild. I’m mostly talking about the harmonies. It’s always pretty amazing. The guys are pop freaks.

The decision to seek opinions on your new songs is intriguing. When did you realize that external perspectives could contribute to your creative process?

Tanner: To quote White Reaper, “if it makes the girls dance, the boys will dance with ’em.”

Success can take on different meanings as time goes on. When envisioning success for this new record, what does that picture look like now?

Tanner: To be quite honest, all I want to do is rock and roll; whatever lets me do that more is a success to me.

Dustin: Same; I just want to play rock and roll music.

Vinny: A million bucks (each) in Spotify streaming royalties and performing at the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXXXVII.

Defining a song’s completion can be elusive. How do you determine when a composition has reached its final, ready-to-record form?

Dustin: We don’t really put a ton of thought into it. Once we’ve played the song at a show, it’s alive and ready to be printed.

Vinny: I always try to err on having a song be too short rather than too long. Someone can always repeat a song that’s too short, but if they skip a song halfway through, then you probably overstayed your welcome.

With the resurgence of cassettes, imagine curating your inaugural mixtape. Which five songs would be must-adds and why?

Dustin:

• The Nerves – “When You Find Out”
• Teenage Fanclub – “Sparky’s Dream”
• The Lemon Twigs – “My Golden Years”
• Brower – “Where Is The Magic?”
• The Gants – “I Wonder”

Vinny:

• Pavement – “Gold Soundz”
• Pavement – “Harness Your Hopes”
• Pavement – “Frontwards”
• Pavement – “Kentucky Cocktail”
• Pavement – “In the Mouth a Desert”

Tanner:

• “On Top of the World” – Cheap Trick
• “Starry Eyes” – The Records
• “Thorns and Roses” – Exploding Hearts
• “No Substitute” – The Shivers
• “Somewhere to Fall” – The Uni Boys

These are absolute smash hits that get everyone jumping and moving.

In a hypothetical scenario where you could tour with two other bands, who would be your ideal companions and what synergies do you envision?

Dustin: Slade and XTC would be killer. The Who is up there as well for me.

Vinny: I dunno, I’d love to watch DEVO every night for 4-5 weeks, but I could see them being assholes to the opening band. Tenacious D seemed to have a pretty good vibe when I saw them soundcheck. Maybe them and Guns N’ Roses for intentional and unintentional comedic relief.

Tanner: I’m on a giant Cheap Trick kick, in particular the Heaven Tonight record, so probably them but during that era. I would love to tour with Vacation from Cincinnati; I saw them play when I was on my first U.S. tour, and they are the nicest and most rowdy boys; their songs rip face. Touring Japan with the Uni Boys would be sick too and should totally happen.

Among the compliments you’ve received, is there one that remains etched in your memory? If so, what made it particularly unforgettable?

Dustin: At our last show, someone compared us to MC5, which is insane.

Vinny: “Good set.”

Where do you see yourself situated within the broader landscape of the music industry? How do you perceive your unique role and contribution?

Tanner: SOFTJAW is gonna be the band you can’t get out of your head, big, phat, and catchy! No fooling around with this rock and roll shit; we are taking over the planet, baby, all in the name of rock.

Envision recruiting three singers to provide harmony vocals on your next record. Who would you invite, and what qualities do they possess that resonate with you?

Dustin: John, Paul, and George. I learned all of John’s vocal parts as a kid. That’s how I learned how to harmonize.

Vinny: Man, honestly, Dustin, Tanner, and Dan are all insanely good at harmonies. Why go out for burgers when you’ve got steak at home?

Looking ahead to the next couple of months, what exciting plans or projects are on the horizon for you?

Dustin: Bunch of new songs and recordings. Lots of shows planned.

Vinny: SOFTJAW mini-tour/album, becoming so famous.

Albums often involve collaboration with various musicians and producers. Could you shed light on how these collaborations contributed to shaping the album’s identity?

Tanner: The way I see it, I’m the young gun in the band; everyone has some insane chops, and I have the most respect for the boys, so I always feel like I gotta push to keep up with these dudes. Working with Dustin and writing these tracks has definitely put a fire under my butt. Dustin comes to me with a demo that sounds like a masterpiece, and I send him shitty voice memo demos; the skill and ease that he puts out tracks makes for a healthy competitive energy; I’m always trying to write the next catchy riff or jolly chorus, and that drive keeps me moving. Ala Paul and John or Buzz and Woody.

Dustin: We balance each other out with our songwriting styles for sure. When Tanner picks up a guitar and starts singing, it’s instantly rock and roll, and he writes killer jams. Kid’s got the magic.

In the digital age, visual elements are intertwined with music. How did you approach the album’s visual aesthetics, such as album art and accompanying visuals? How do they complement the sonic experience you’ve crafted?

Tanner: My girlfriend and I designed the single covers; she is a wizard with editing, and I love her very much, and I’m just soaking up ideas from what’s around or what I rock with.