Misc. is a name that is becoming more and more integral in the story that is the Richmond music scene. Whether you have been in the crowd knocking around to their rap-rock mayhem, or seen their comic book-style posters painting the lampposts of the Fan, you have seen Misc.
Their story begins a little over two years ago, with four guys bouncing around the flourishing DIY scene. At that time, the happening spot was a Fan house called _________, known for its absurdly packed shows, one of which featured a young guitarist named Connor. He saw the community that could be built and the fun to be had, and, coming together with longtime friend (and singer) Matthew, they set out like a pair of explorers to create something unique. They quickly called up another pair of friends, bassist Sterling and drummer Isaac (pay attention to the initials). The four had all swirled through a music-focused school in their teen years, run by Matthew’s father.
The group first debuted in the rolling Oregon Hill for the locally iconic Porchella, where they were met with some honest interest as well as threats of police action for their “vulgar tone.” The band is just as raw as they were then but have been writing with intense sincerity. I sat down with them to discuss their newest single, “Rose.”
ed. note: The group will be playing their new single at The Camel on this Friday, which has now become a fundraising show for the local Planned Parenthood.
Griffin: Was there a specific instance that inspired this story?
M: I heard this bullshit song about how hard it is to be a man in today’s age… I heard that and thought it was the worst song I’d heard in my life. I wanted to make a song about what it’s actually like to be a man. We put ourselves in boxes and it doesn’t have to be that way. That was definitely an inspiration.
S: I love that anti-inspiration.
Would you say you are singing about things you see in the world, or things you see in yourself?
M: I would say both. Trying to steer the world in a better direction, but I am a product of that world. The chorus of the song specifically is when I chose to morph into that toxic personality it is toxic and angry, while the verse I am trying to reason and get through the emotion.
S: I think he writes through a few different characters in this song.
Griffin: Do you see this issue being just a generational difference or a cycle each wave of young people have to face?
I: I think it is generational. If you explained anxiety to someone 80 years ago they’d say you were full of shit, “man up” basically. I think it is slowly moving in the right direction, the fact that we have a term for it really shows progress. I hope we are heading in the right direction.
S: It is an ongoing battle but I think it can be won. Hopefully our generation will take some big steps with it. I see a lot of good change, and talking with older men in my life I see change in them, they can be reactionary but they can still see good things. The biggest thing I want to see is accountability. If you identify as a man you have a responsibility to not play into the systems that hurt people.
C: It is such a difficult thing to answer right? Because everyone’s definition of masculinity changes based on socioeconomic beliefs and whatnot. I think there is a lot of trauma around it all. You are supposed to have this archetype and act like this, and this is what makes you masculine. I remember in the third grade we watched some cute video and some of the guys said “aww” and all the other people in the class told them they couldn’t do that, “dudes don’t do that” and that definitely left an impression. It’s little things like that, they leave an impression on a young and developing individual.
Even now with a lot more social expectance for men showing emotion, there is still some ingrained past turbulence, we are moving in the right direction but it takes some work on all our ends. It is okay to not fit into the mold assigned by binary gender systems.
Griffin: What do you see as your role as a young band?
C: We try to be good ambassadors for the Richmond scene, in terms of ensuring a place where people feel welcome and accepted, we want people to have a safe space to exist. At our shows we want to have the most amazing environment which we can do by being good dudes, but also by honing in on our craft and delivering as captivating and inspiring performances as possible. Ultimately being good samaritans in the scene. I always try to make it out to see new bands or diy spots I haven’t gotten a chance to see in person.
Overall being good dudes and trying our best to make as much music as possible. We love Richmond but definitely want to get touring and see more of the US or even beyond. There is definitely the dreaming big aspect.
S: Being a young band the thing I love is trying to bring some innovation. I love trying to find a new idea and make it whacky, the more nonsensical the better. I agree with Connor though, we say to ourselves before every show, the goal of this show is to make the audience have the most fun possible.
I: I think one of the advantages of being young is that we aren’t jaded at all. I think- I know we are all extremely passionate about writing songs and playing music, we still have that twinkle in our eye.
S: People relate to younger kids, and since so much happens around VCU we find an audience that relates, it’s nice to give back in a way. It’s nice to say “we see you guys”.
M: Like Isaac said, being young, it gives us the opportunity to stay active in the scene, not that you can’t do that when you are older. A lot of older bands are bitter because it hasn’t happened for them yet.
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Main photo by Jay Spencer
