Stick To Your Guns play Nitty Gritty in Rancho Cucamonga Dec. 11
Hardcore/metal band Stick to Your Guns will be returning to their homeland of Southern California to perform Dec. 11 at the Nitty Gritty in Rancho Cucamonga. Their past album “Diamond” climbed to #1 on the Heatseekers chart, and now the band begins pumping their punk-metal passion through their new album “Disobedient.”
STYG is compromised of Jesse Barnett (vocals), George “Schmitty” Schmitz (drums), Chris Rawson (guitar), and Andrew Rose (guitar). Their music fills the air with a blend of heaviness and positive sincerity. Frontman Barnett spoke with OC Concert Guide about the band’s music.
OCCG: Who have been some of your biggest influences in music?
Jesse: Orange County hardcore have always been the biggest influences to us and unlike a lot of other cities and places in the US, OC has quite a history in punk as hardcore. For me it started with Death By Stereo, 18 visions, Throwdown, Bleeding Through, Ignite and so on. As I grew in the scene I looked into the past and the bands that influenced those bands and I found out about other Southern California hardcore bands such as Chain Of Strength, No For An Answer, 411, Speak 714, Strife, Inside Out, Insted, Outspoken and many more.
OCCG: How has being an Orange-County based band shaped the perspective you have on the world and which you bring through your music?
Jesse: If I’m speaking honestly none except for the bands that influenced me. Growing up in the bubble Orange County…I see certain perspectives people from there have about the world and I can say confidently that almost 100 percent of the time they are skewed. Having the opportunity to travel the world and see these places firsthand or meet other people from different cultures has molded me and our music more than being from Orange County has. I absolutely love OC. It’s where I was born and it’s where I would like to die but I’m grateful for the chance to see the world.
OCCG: Can you tell us more about the theme of your new album “Disobedient” that is set to debut February 2015?
You know those job application forms where they ask you to pick one word to describe yourself in one word. That’s probably the word I would use. Haha. It probably wouldn’t get me the job but you get the point. Ask every family member I have, every teacher I had, every church pastor I was forced to sit through. I have this burning desire to question literally every piece of information I have been told. It has made a bit of a difficult life at times but in the end I’m glad that I am the way I am and I’m glad that’s it’s led me down the roads I’ve gone down. All you have to do is open your eyes to the world we live in and the proof that’s out there of how destructive we are being to each other and this earth in no longer acceptable to me. I won’t just take someone’s word for it. I will activity go out into the world and make the change that I hope to see. Life or death.
OCCG: You’ve just finished another tour throughout Europe. Any favorite highlights from particular performances?
Jesse: Every single performance is a personal journey for every one of us. The fact that we get to do that across the world and connect with other people is amazing. People who can’t or don’t speak our language singing along to our songs is surreal. I’m grateful for everyone.
OCCG: Where is one place you’d like to perform that you haven’t been yet?
Jesse: Rio de Janeiro. I’ve always wanted to go to Brazil. We are in the spring so I’m very excited.
OCCG: Your band revolves around the message of hope and respecting others. Which song from your album “Diamond” conveys this message and do you think the audience seems to resonate most with?
Jesse: Either the song “Diamond” or the song “I Am,” simply because those songs [are] about learning to respect and change yourself before you can change anything else. No one else is the cause for the damage to society except you. Change yourself and the world will follow.
OCCG: What are some of your favorite hobbies on the road?
Jesse: Reading, comics, tattoos and eating. Lots of eating.
OCCG: What was the best thing about performing for and filming the music video for your new song “Nobody” that will be part of your upcoming album “Disobedient?”
Jesse: By far best thing was my little sister being there. I’m so overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up but I never see my sister so the fact that she was there and able to see, and be a part of the process was very very VERY important to me.
OCCG: Any message you’d like to give your fans that will be attending your upcoming Southern California show?
Jesse: Just thank you so much for the continued support. We’ll do all we can to never let you down.