On the scene since 2019, it was the The Undertaking!’s critically-lauded 2021 debut album ‘Funeral Psalms’ that really got them noticed. It's certainly how we first heard this impressive Californian outfit.
Put out by esteemed metalcore label Solid State Records, 'Funeral Psalms' is just the kind of brutal, chaotic heavy rock we can’t get enough of. Packed full of furious riffs and savage lyrics, it's a damn fine album that has lost none of its power or freshness in the years since it release.
'No Friends' is the standout track for us, both musically and lyrically, but 'Oh, Negative' and 'The Problem With Being Included In The Apocalypse' run it a close second. Pour them in your earholes.
Hailing from the San Diego rock scene, The Undertaking! comprises Austin Visser on vocals, Brent Jasperse on drums, Keith Butsko and Johnny Mercuri on guitars, and Dan Mercuri on bass.
The boys are currently busy gigging and promoting latest single 'And The Silver Surfer.' Nonetheless, lead vocalist Austin generously made time to have a quick chat with us about the band, the single, and what we can expect next from The Undertaking!
For fast, energetic rock, a can-do attitude, and turds overflowing, read on!
♣︎ ♣︎ ♣︎
Hello Austin. Please describe The Undertaking! for us.
AUSTIN VISSER - The Undertaking! is a chaotic rock n roll band. Not metalcore enough to be metalcore; not hardcore enough to be hardcore.
Pithy. How did you guys start?
Brent, Keith and I have been jamming together since high school in different iterations of the band. But for this story, it begins with the final Warped Tour back in 2019.
Seeing pictures and videos from that final year inspired a string of texts between us saying, like, ‘Yo, let’s play some music again!’ The Undertaking! started soon after. The rest is history.
What’s your secret sauce?
We have a can-do attitude. Problems are meant to be solved and riffs are meant to be fun.
Tell us about the dynamic in the band. Who manages the itinerary?
I'm the ringleader. Brent is the producer and mastermind behind the song structures. Johnny is our type A guitarist: punctual and prepared. Keith is our wild card.
We’re all friends, first and foremost. That’s really important to the band. We all get along and we like each other. When we aren’t jamming, we’re watching movies and playing video games together.
Please tell us about your first gig as The Undertaking!.
Our first show was at our practice space. It was super intimate. We invited a bunch of our close friends over so we could run our set in front of a group of people.
Was that your most nerve-racking gig?
No, that would be either Furnace Fest 2023 or our first show with Saosin. Both were bigger crowds with a lot of new faces. But the nerves were worth it as both shows ended up being amazing.
What’s been your biggest highlight so far?
Signing with Solid State Records for ‘Funeral Psalms’ was definitely a bucket list moment. Like, is this real? We’d never had intentions of signing to a label. We’re a bunch of older dudes with kids and jobs; we aren’t supposed to be doing this.
What’s the best thing about being in a band?
Hanging out with our friends. We are all very good friends and love spending time with each other. Any time out on the road is just time hanging out with our buds, and we also get to play music.
On the flipside, what’s the worst thing?
Imposter syndrome. Post-tour depression. Fatigue.
Let’s talk of happier things. Tell us about your latest track.
'And The Silver Surfer' is a song about falling asleep. When you fall asleep, your brain starts doing wacky things. We tried to capture that feeling. Your thoughts are just cruising around the cosmos, going between dreams, regrets and things you forgot to do the day before.
How does it compare to your previous releases?
This song is a good mix of our older stuff and what we want to do moving forward. Something fast and aggressive with a couple of rad riffs. We really captured our live energy on this song.
Where did you record it?
We recorded it at our homes, then had it mixed by Ryan ‘Fluff’ Bruce.
Describe your songwriting process for us.
We’re always writing. Typically, Brent, Johnny or Keith will record a riff and send it out to the group. Then the riff will grow into a song that gets cut up and pulled apart. We dissect everything to the nth degree and then piece together a general structure.
Depending on where we’re at in the process, I'll put a rough take on vocals down so the instrumentalists can hear what I'm thinking. That may change how riffs are played; it might change something from a verse to a chorus.
Then we finish off the pre-production and send it off to Ryan to mix.
Do you have any advice for someone starting out in music?
The best piece of advice is to have fun. Our manager is always reminding us of that. It’s not worth it if you aren’t doing that.
Wise words. Let's mix things up. What’s the best way to start the day?
Coffee. It should be exercise, but I struggle to get up super early.
If you were on Death Row, what would you be having for your last meal?
Carnitas tacos and a California burrito.
A vegetarian's nightmare! What’s something you think everyone should do at least once in their life?
Listen to The Undertaking!, obviously.
What’s something you will NEVER do again?
I’d like to never again play in a basement venue where the toilet above is overflowing with turds.
A not unreasonable request. What’s next for The Undertaking!?
Our new single - ‘Touch Dirt’ - is coming out on August 7. It rips! We’re also playing Furnace Fest again in October.
Thanks so much for chatting with us today.
It’s been good. TEN OF CLUBS is a sick blog that features amazing music, like ours!
What are your dreams for The Undertaking!?
Keep having fun. Keep crushing new music.
Damn straight. Thanks again, Austin. Any final words for your fans?
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SCAVENGERS!
♣︎ ♣︎ ♣︎
► 'And The Silver Surfer' by The Undertaking! is streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music and elsewhere.
The Ariston Special Edition Tees: Will's Tee
DA/ZE: Feeling Comfortable