Perhaps the most D.I.Y. band you can ever encounter, Days N Daze has been playing all over the US, Canada and Europe since 2008, in every conceivable settings, to a rapidly growing following. Booking and managing the band themselves, they play fully acoustic, trashy, Punky, Bluegrass in a 4-piece format, led by Whitney Flynn (vocals/trumpet) & Jesse Sendejas (vocals/guitar) and rounded up by Meagan Melancon (washboard) and Geoff Bell (washtub bass). After 7 self-recorded, self-released LPs, they made a big jump in joining Fat Wreck Chords‘ roster for their latest album, Show Me the Blueprints.
While they stand on call for when the world opens up again and they can get back to the hustle of touring non stop, tune in to the Virtual Apocalypse Punk Rock Art Show on May 23rd, at 7PM (CDT-Central time), for a live performance from Jesse (7pm) and Whitney (7:30pm), amongst a stacked line up.
Name five songs that you consider “perfect songs” and explain why or what they mean to you.
Whitney:
ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG- Isn’t This A Lovely Day
Encompasses every bit of hope, even in bad weather. Was the song I covered for my grandmother when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL- Where You’ll Find Me Now
Talks about the rawness and vulnerabilty of true love and growing up.
LARRY AND HIS FLASK- End Of An Era
The song reaches out to that point when you want to just walk away.
RILO KILEY- A Better Son/Daughter
An I’m sorry…I try my best for the ones you love anthem.
THE DIXIE CHICKS- Heartbreak Town
A thank you song for the ones who unyeildingly stay by your side while you are trying to achieve the seemingly impossible
Which music genre do you listen to the most? List your five favorite albums in that genre.
Whitney:
Indie/Pop/Rap/Punk/Folk
1.(Folk)- God Forgive These Bastards- THE TAXPAYERS
2.(Rap) Ready to Die- BIGGIE SMALLS
3.(Punk)- Le Tigre- LE TIGRE
4.(Pop) Melodrama- LORDE
5.(Indie) On Avery Island- NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL
Jesse:
Ska Punk I suppose. Ska Core? I’ve never been good at identifying sub genres, but whatever genre you’d call Fuck World Trade by LEFTÖVER CRACK, Full Body Tourettes, Pt. 2 by NIGHT GAUNTS, So Awesome It Hurts by NO SERVICE PROJECT, Run Your Pockets by NO CASH, and Everything Goes Numb by STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO. I’m pretty into that genre these days.
Your five favorite rappers of all time? Name one song that best exemplifies what makes them great.
Whitney:
LAUREN HILL
TUPAC
SCARFACE
EARL SWEATSHIRT
OL’ DIRTY BASTARD
Jesse:
In no particular order…
WATSKY – Such a genius when it comes to cadence, great live backing band, super sweet dude, and clever lyricist.
SONREAL – Beautiful singing voice on top of a super fast flow when he needs it. A nice mix of get ya hype songs and sweet honest lyrics.
TERMINAL KNOWLEDGE – Just everything about the way he raps drips with style. Admittedly, not always the most meaningful lyrics, but sometimes I just wanna hear clever one liners delivered with flair.
CHILDISH GAMBINO – Clever and original as they come. Also, I’m a super huge fan of Community. Pretty wild to see how multitalented that dude is.
WU-TANG CLAN. Can’t pick just one. I mean, it’s the Wu.
What’s the album you’ve listened to the most in your life? Do you still listen to it?
Whitney:
I’m a nerd for NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL, been my favorite band since I was 11. So it’s gotta be On Avery Island and In the Aeroplanes Over the Sea
Jesse:
Probably All Killer No Filler by SUM 41. The title is spot on. Yeah, I’ll give that one a spin every now n again!!
What are some of your favorite song lyrics? Lyrics that have been important to you or that had an impact on you?
Whitney:
“Sit there and count your fingers…I don’t know what else…what else have you got to do. And I know how you feel. And I know you ain’t got no reason to go on. And I know you feel you must be through. Oh honey, go on and sit right back down. I want you to count..count your fingers. My unhappy, my unlucky…my little girl blue. I know you’re unhappy…I know. I know just how you feel.” –Little Girl Blue
I listen to the ELLA FITZGERALD version of this song when I have to feel sorry for myself but find the strength in myself to keep going. Definitely gotten me through a lot of hard nights.
Jesse:
WATSKY who I mentioned earlier has a bit in the song Carboard Castles that goes
“Because if we don’t build it who will?
I do things on a shoestring that you couldn’t do for a cool mil
I run with no laces, and when I fall I start
To build my Taj Mahal with shit I found at Dollarmart
This life’s our greatest project, the journey’s all an art
But I built my perfect nest, and it’s ‘bout to fall apart
Again and again and then I just I make it twice as high
And I give my tower teeth, and I watch it bite the sky”
That line always spoke to me. Especially when we’ve been on the road for a while and we’re all broke and rundown mentally and physically those words have always given me that boost to push through. Helps me remember that I can’t give up. I recommend checkin’ out that whole album. It’s great front start to finish.
Do you have an absolute all time favorite band or musical artist? What makes them so special to you?
Jesse:
LEFTÖVER CRACK for sure. I still remember the first time I heard Atheist Anthem. I listened to nothin’ but that song on repeat for no joke a week. They helped shape the sound of my music, and later on they helped us out with shows, helped us meet folks. After a few tours now, I’m lucky enough to be able to call them close friends. It’s so incredibly surreal to me how everything’s played out.
Do you remember the first time music had an impact on you?
Whitney:
I have this extremely distinct moment when I was a kid in the car with my mom and asked for the first time “what song is this?” and it was Eleanor Rigby by THE BEATLES.
Huge influence have been Blues and Jazz as far as my trumpet playing goes. My grandfather was a sax player which was my first introduction into music. Feel like I carry his legacy with those roots he instiled in me to this day.
Jesse:
Probably the first time my dad showed me the RAMONES as a kid. I’d never heard anything with that kind of energy at the time. I learned a buncha their songs and that’s kinda how I started playin’ guitar.
What were you listening to in elementary school? then in high school? How much of that music is still a part of your playlists today? How have your musical tastes evolved since?
Whitney:
First CD I bought by myself was a single by BRANDY AND MONICA – The Boy is Mine. Also had a ACE OF BASE themed birthday party and my grandfather let me skip school so we could go see The SPICE GIRLS movie when it came out in theaters. Huge poster of USHER in my makeshift bedroom as well. In High School first got into LE TIGRE, STARS, and EISLEY which led me into getting into The BRIEFS, OPERATION IVY, and The VIRUS. I think to this day, my taste in music is still true, the underground Indie with a splash of Pop in the mix for sure, just with a different playlist.
Jesse:
I actually didn’t listen to a lot of music as a young kid, but once I found Punk in middle school it was a lot of Pop Punk. BLINK 182, SUM 41 that kinda stuff. Once I hit high school I went through an Indie phase mainly because that’s what Whit was listenin’ to and then I found the stuff I listen to that I’ve spoken about earlier.
What beloved music do you share with your parents? Any specifics memories?
Whitney:
I kind of love it when my mom has a few beers and gushing over me being the next SHERYL CROW. Its the silliest and most wholesome way to be complimented by your mom. Also having full on radio blasting road trips listening to NIGHT GAUNTS on repeat with her is the best.
Jesse:
My dad and I used to listen to LEFTÖVER CRACK when he’d drive me to an alternative school I went to called progressive. So we bonded over that and years later the singer, Scott Sturgeon, married me and my wife so that’s a pretty full circle memory.
What are some of the most memorable shows you’ve ever seen? What makes them stand out?
Whitney:
I think when we first started “touring” we would have three months on the road with maybe four shows booked throughout the country. We would just find local shows going on and ask if we could play before/after/inbetween sets/or outside. It surpringly worked out in our favor and still have friends from back in the day supporting our band now.
Jesse:
WATSKY puts on a hell of a show. Just super flawless and energetic. FLOGGING MOLLY has been incredible every time I’ve seen them. I think one of the best shows I’ve ever seen was a band I don’t actually listen to often called METRIC. I mean, I can only name one of their tunes, Combat Baby, off the top of my head. Even though I didn’t really know any of their music when I saw them they just blew me away!! The light work was awesome and they just sounded fantastic live.
Is there any band that you’ve always wanted to see live but never had the chance to catch them? Any classic show that you wish you could have experienced?
Whitney:
When I was 15, I went out to see The BRIEFS who were playing with The CASUALTIES but my friends wanted to stop and get food so when we got there I remember perfectly Jesse’s smirking face in the window when we were told it was sold out. We didn’t meet each other until a few months later but that moment never left me and I still to this day have never and probably will never see The Briefs live.
Jesse:
I’ve never seen STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO and I’ve heard they just bring the place down. Also, I saw GOGOL BORDELLO but from a balcony seat. I’d love to be in the pit for that show someday.
What is the most impressive band you’ve toured with? The one that you just had to watch every night? Did you learn anything from them/by watching them?
Whitney:
NIGHT GAUNTS from New Zealand, every night we toured with them was insanely amazing! It was the most stoked I got to book their full US tour and to end up doing a split with them.
Jesse:
LEFTÖVER CRACK for sure. When they’re on point they are SO on point. I filled in for Brad Logan, the guitar player, a couple times and learned what true stage fright is doin’ that! They were all very patient with me though and the shows were a blast!!
WE THE HEATHENS are fantastic as well. They’re all incredible musicians so I definitely picked up a few scales and techniques from them over the years.
What are some of your all-time favorite music books and/or zines, documentaries, biopics?
Whitney:
Recently watched The Decline of Western Civilization 3, would highly recommend it.
Jesse:
I’ve not read or seen many to be honest. Not about music at least. I adore Harmontown and the movie is kind of a live performance documentary in a way I suppose.
Is there any classic / universally acclaimed artist that you missed out on when they first came out and discovered way later? Any artist that you didn’t like at first and learned to appreciate over time?
Whitney:
I Feel like when I was first introduced to Folk Punk I hated it to be honest. Jesse showed me the song Hitched Up Kids by ROSA and played it so many times it grew on me to a point where it became one of my favorite songs and still holds a really beautiful place in my heart.
Jesse:
I never really listened to The BEATLES ’til I was maybe 25. Still not one of my favorite bands or anything, but I definitely get it.
Do you have any unpopular music opinion that you would like to defend? Something that you love and yet can hardly find anyone to agree on how great it is?
Whitney:
I love horrible Pop music, I know it’s nothing anyone really wants to admit but it’s just something that clears my head when I need to get work done and not stress too hard about the day to day. Also DIXIE CHICKS…fucking brilliant and I’m not even ashamed to say it.
Jesse:
I really enjoy soundtracks. Like pretty much anything HANS ZIMMER has done. Also, the music for the game Celeste is just phenomenal. I don’t think that’s an unpopular opinion, but if I put it on in the tour van I don’t see the crew bein’ ultra stoked on it.
What band or artist do you believe has achieved the most flawless sequence of 3 records in a row?
Whitney:
THE TAXPAYERS – To Risk So Much for One Damn Meal, God Forgive These Bastard and Big Delusion Factory
Jesse:
Haha, I feel like this may as well be an interview about how much I like LEFTÖVER CRACK at this point, but they had Mediocre Generica, Fuck World Trade, and Constructs Of The State and there’s not a bad song in the bunch.
Can you think of a band or artist that put out only one fantastic release (album, EP or demo) and then disbanded? One that you really wish would have kept going?
Whitney:
I’m gonna say me and Jesse’s old band DECATHECT…seven songs and done. We’re all hopelessly hoping for a comeback!
Jesse:
Hm, the only BLACK DEATH ALL STARS album I’ve ever been able to find is Transcient Breakdown, which is the bomb, and they’re no longer, but I’m not certain that’s their only album.
What albums have been on heavy rotation lately?
Whitney:
Lately, not much at all to be frank. I have been basically in a manic state trying to get prepared for the album release. A lot of typing on my laptop with the news in the background stressing about everything going to shit. If anything, listening to MALLRAT- In the Sky.
Jesse: Just started listenin’ to a band called IDLES that are pretty rad so far. Been listenin’ to alot of traditional Irish music as well.
What are some up and coming artists that you would recommend?
Jesse:
Slummer (HTX), Night Gaunts (NZ), Cop/Out (NY), The Real McCoys (HTX), Fun Abuse (CA), 3 Day Holocaust (CA), Bridge City Sinners (PDX), Marissa. (HTX), We The Heathens (WI).
Is there a band that you’ve discovered live recently that blew you away?
Whitney:
CRAZY AND THE BRAINS! The first time I saw them live was a show we played with them in OKC last year and I was hooked! We ended up having the opportunity of going on a short tour with them and becoming homies. Amazing people, amazing music, amazing recordings and amazing live performance.
Jesse:
I think FUN ABUSE is probably the last band that I hadn’t heard prior to the show, saw live, and was immediately in love. Those kids shred.
What are you listening to right now, while answering these questions?
Whitney:
Currently saying goodnight to my partner while I try my best to finish this interview before I have to call it a night myself!
Jesse:
Haha, some show called True Terror with Robert Englund that Veronica is watchin’.
Is there anything (new album, tour) you would like to promote?
Jesse:
My other project, ESCAPE FROM THE ZOO, just released a split with PUBLIC SERPENTS of NYC. EFTZ will also be releasing a single alongside a band out of Denton, TX called SHOOTING TSARS who are just fantastic.
I think DND may have new merch up at flailrecords.com and the Punk With A Camera storenvy. Touring is super up in the air right now, but we’ll be sure to post any dates we have on our facebook and instagram pages!!
Thanks so much and hope you’re well!! If you’re not, remember there are folks you can talk to. Don’t keep it to yourself, and if ya don’t have anybody, feel free to shoot us a message!! Times are weird. Gotta look out for one another!!
No Comments