Signal Static’s latest offering, “Under The Skin,” takes listeners on a wild ride through the realms of alt-rock, infusing elements of post-grunge, punk and heavy metal music. With their energetic sound and undeniable musical prowess, the trio (reinforced with a new additional member to undertake low-end duties,) has managed to create a track that is both catchy and meaningful, reminiscent of the hard rock goodness found in bands like Chevelle and Chickenfoot.

The song opens with a burst of electric guitars and pounding drums, instantly grabbing the listener’s attention. The raw power and grungy intensity of the recording shines through. It’s evident that Signal Static’s favourite part of the song creation process lies in live recordings, as their music thrives on the organic and dynamic nature of their performances.

IMF got in touch with Signal Static to gain further insights into the band’s creative process and musical journey:

In Conversation with Signal Static

IMF: Your music leans into the joys of live instrument recording. Which is your favourite part of getting to a new song?

Ryan: There’s a moment when we’re all together in our underground bunker and something new just starts to click, when I can feel the music telling me what the song is about.  Then over the next few days, I walk my dog and listen to the recording obsessively until the vocal melodies and lyrics take shape.  When I can walk into the jam space the next time with vocals and lyrics ready to go, and it works, that’s the magic for me.

Randy: Figuring out the hook. Sorting out what best to play for each part. Honestly, it differs depending on the song but we’re still figuring a lot of this out. I guess it’s building something that gives me joy. 

Gino: I enjoy the creation!

Alex: When everything comes together and clicks for the first time would probably be my favourite moment of putting together a new song.

IMF: Under the Skin sounds like Chevelle, Chickenfoot, and a whole lot of hard rock goodness. How did your trio create something this catchy yet swinging?

Signal Static: First of all, thank you; that is high praise!  As for how it all came together, like a lot of the songs that we’ve written and produced during all of the Covid nuttiness, the three of us (and now four) were on a mission to re-invent our band after things got shaken up due to the pandemic, and Under the Skin was one of the first songs that really came together organically during that process.

Gino was messing around with that riff and the rest of us just kind of jumped on that and ran with it.  We tried out a few different bits and pieces before we figured out what we wanted out of a chorus. 

Ryan had written something dark and political, but Gino thought the song needed something more positive and uplifting instead.  When the idea of writing something that amplifies stories from the trans and non-binary communities we all knew that was what the song was about.

The rest is a lot of trial and error and tweaking things to really get the energy right.  We naturally put a lot of emphasis on rhythm and groove, and that principle informs a lot of our songwriting.

Signal Static’s ability to strike a perfect balance between catchiness and a swinging rhythm can be attributed to their meticulous attention to detail and their innate understanding of what makes a song memorable. By drawing inspiration from renowned hard rock acts like QOTSA and Tool, they have crafted a track that carries the weight of its influences while still standing firmly in its own sonic identity.

A visible shift in the sound of Signal Static

Signal Static combines hard rock, punk, and alternative with elements of metal, grunge and electronic music to create an intensely fresh and emotionally compelling sound

IMF: From Start Transmission, what do you think the biggest lessons in approaching music have been? Did the isolation during the pandemic impact your writing style?

Signal Static: That album was a pretty massive learning experience in any number of ways and it really was instrumental in teaching us a lot about the intricacies of recording and producing ourselves in our space, mostly by hearing the results of doing things the wrong way.  That’s not to say that we weren’t proud of ‘Start Transmission’, but I think we left at the end of that album feeling like we had a lot better things ahead of us. It also taught us to hold ourselves to a higher standard and invest the money into getting the right equipment together and the time learning how to optimize both our recording process and the songs themselves.  And it’s a lesson that we continue to learn even as we are putting out these new songs.

The pandemic changed almost everything for us.  For one thing, our lead vocalist who had been with us for several years up to that point left the band, and once things were locked down it really became a 2 and a half year-long process of the three of us pretty well re-inventing the band and a brand new approach to writing songs.  Where a lot of the songs on ‘Start Transmission’ were longer and a bit downbeat (with some notable exceptions), we really focused on writing in a much more present and urgent style.  We embraced the punk aspect a bit more and went after songs that had that crackly energy that gets your body moving.

What lies ahead for the Canadian Alternative Punk Rockers?

IMF: Do we see a new album on the way? What are the themes you’re branching out to explore now?

Signal Static: Yes, we are currently working on finishing a bunch of new songs (including the two singles we’ve released so far) which will eventually end up on an album together.  We may end up putting out another single or two before the album comes out, but it’s coming! Thematically I think we’ve been doing what we’ve always done which is to try to decode the world a bit and find ways to discover some kind of truth in all the noise of human activity and to amplify voices that need amplifying.

As for the themes being explored, the band is branching out to delve into various aspects of the human condition, offering introspective narratives that resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level. Furthermore, with their talent for crafting immersive sonic experiences, we can expect new music that pushes boundaries and captivates global audiences.

Their music expresses equal parts personal introspection and social commentary, hunting for the underlying meaning in current events, exploring the modern world through the minds of the characters who inhabit it, and delving into the struggles and victories that shape the human experience.

Following the success of Objects of Affection, is there something you think your music carries that helped people instantly latch on to?

Signal Static: There is something to be said for taking a strong position on a potentially difficult topic, especially when it’s something that doesn’t typically get talked about in the rock or metal milieu.  Certainly, rock music is no stranger to political messages, but calling out men in our scene for sexually exploiting women is not what most people expect, and (admittedly sadly) it was a message that resonated with a lot of people when we released ‘Objects of Affection’.

With ‘Under the Skin’ we are amplifying stories of struggle and victory within the trans and non-binary communities, which is another theme that seems to be almost non-existent in heavy rock, punk, and metal music, especially by men, and that’s a pretty strong message that we all need to do better.  Finding ways to use this medium to say things that rarely get said is one of the unique privileges of doing what we do, and people tend to respond to that.

The ability to strike the right chords

Signal Static’s music carries a unique quality that instantly captures the attention and hearts of listeners. Whether it’s their infectious melodies, powerful vocal delivery, or the raw emotion embedded in their lyrics, there is an undeniable magnetism to their sound. Additionally, their ability to strike a chord with people is a testament to their authenticity and the genuine human connection they forge through their music.

The song would fit well into action movies like “Transporter” or “John Wick” where the narrative requires upbeat hard-hitting tracks in the background to elevate the visual experience.

In conclusion, Signal Static’s “Under The Skin” is a testament to their ability to weave together elements of alt-rock, post-grunge, and heavy metal. With their love for live instrument recording and a dedication to capturing the essence of their music, the band has created a track that is both catchy and hard-hitting. As they continue to evolve, exploring new themes and pushing their boundaries, we eagerly await their upcoming endeavours as they continue to take the global indie music scene by storm.

Signal Static is >

Ryan Stringer – Lead vocals (formerly bass, recently took over as lead vocalist.)

Gino Klein – Guitar (he also engineers all of the band’s demos and recordings.)

Randy Camponi – Drums (he also enjoys taking the piss out of Ryan on stage.)

Alex Beaudoin – Bass (also, the newest addition to the lineup, taking over the bass duties from Ryan.)