Metal Anarchy

Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to bands that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have an exclusive Q&A with Forrest.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

FORREST: We started out when Hailie asked our guitarist, Michael, and drummer, Levi, to back her up at a little house show in Berkeley. She had a handful of songs that she had been playing for years as a singer-songwriter. Once the trio decided to have some fun and play as a full band, Michael and Levi pulled bassist, Manu, into the mix completing the lineup. We threw together a 20-minute set in a week rocked that tiny house show, and from that point on we all realized this band really should be more than a one-time show. We started practicing regularly, booked some shows at some local bars and DIY venues, and even spent some time in studio working on our first EP, and now here we are, ready to get back on stage!

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

FORREST: We have a lot of influences actually. When Hailie writes she channels her inner Julian Baker and she’s also a huge Radiohead fan. Michael loves ambient music and goes for the Explosions in the Sky and OWEL sound with his leads. Levi is all over the place, he loves quirkiness in his music, so The Strokes and St. Vincent are big inspiration for him. Manu loves his emo music and is also big jazz fan, so bands like AFI and Snarky Puppy are what he likes to jam to.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

FORREST: We just put out our first EP, “Temper” at the beginning of April! It’s worth checking out because it’s really unique and dynamic. We really shoot for emotion in our music, so the songs are meant to hit you in the gut, but they also have moments that just make you want to bop around and dance a little! We’re really proud of it and we put a whole lot of work into it so we really think you’ll all like it!

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

FORREST: We’re all dorks, so you can expect us to be dorks on stage! We like to jam and try really hard to make sure our live sets sound great and that we have the energy to make the crowd want to dance or cry or both! We’re also working on coordinating our set with a custom light show, so if everything goes according to plan you can expect a true performance on stage, not just a band playing music!

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

FORREST: We’re in this for the long run, so we’re hoping to get signed, go on a few tours, put out another EP or two and maybe even a full album! We’re hard at work writing while stuck at home in this whole Covid crisis, so we’re heading towards another big release! We all love music and playing together, so we want to stick to it and bring anyone who listens a true musical experience!