Taking the influences from Marshall's pop upbringing and meshing them with John's Metal background the end result was a sound of its own. Pulsating with energy and grit, the band called After 10 is a group that formed in 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. Their original work channels the punk rock dynamics of the likes of the Foo Fighters, blink-182, and Stone Temple Pilots. They take it even further with their heavy guitar riffs, rebellious lyrics, and aggressive tone. Their most recent release “Take The Pill (Fuck Pharma)” is a reflection of the current opioid epidemic sweeping the nation. They'd like to use their platform of releasing music to bring awareness to this growing issue.
“Take The Pill (Fuck Pharma)” starts off as strongly as possible with a fresh and appealing leading guitar riff. The music has a classic yet creative alt-rock vibe, the instrumentation is always interesting, and the structure of the song means that there’s always something new just around the corner. The song features a great set of melodies, particularly the hook, you find yourself eagerly awaiting as the song sets off. The whole soundscape features a heavy punk-rock approach, reminiscent of alt-rock legends from yesteryear. There’s a distinct level of focus to the songwriting, and this speaks volumes for After 10. Not succumbing to any one genre or style, yet knowing exactly what they are all about, this track is a contagious introspective track from After 10 and we’re looking forward to hearing more.
Check out “Take The Pill (Fuck Pharma)” here and keep scrolling to read more in our interview!
Welcome to BuzzMusic After 10! We’re loving your new track “Take The Pill (F*ck Pharma)”! What was the overall concept you hope to capture with this release? What importance does this topic hold for you?
I want to start off by saying this is an issue that I have dealt with personally, and it took me flushing pills down the toilet to pretty much drop the habit cold turkey. The sad part of it was that these were pills that were prescribed to me, and I started off taking the suggested amount, and naturally increased it. Luckily this was something that I caught onto early because I understood the dangers of these drugs. After telling people about the idea I had for this song, it was amazing to me how many people have had a similar experience. It's clear that these drugs are being pushed, and a statement needs to be made, a loud one at that. Unfortunately, I have had some close friends of mine head very far down the path of addiction, and eventually, lose their lives. So this song and this message is very dear to me. People all have things in life that may be restraining them, and I wanted the song to be one for anyone who feels like they're trapped.
Your music always seems to light up the room and lift an audience up just when they need it! Was it your intention to have this kind of optimistic sound, or is it something that simply comes naturally for you?
We wanted the sound to be very haunting, and sort of represent that depressed state that someone would be in when enduring an addiction, no matter what it is.
How have you honed your songwriting style over time, and what do you think are the main qualities that make a song truly connect and last in the long-run?
The songwriting process was something that we as a band definitely had to grow on. This was actually one of the last songs we recorded for the album, and I think it shows. It has a strong message that many people I feel can relate to, but at the same time, the song is simple. I think the qualities of a strong song are something that a lot of people can relate to, and having a moving message.
You seem to be a band that puts more thought into their lyrics than most. What can you tell us about the lyrical depth within your most recent single?
Initially, when I wrote the song I had a lot more lyrics, but after playing through it a couple of times I changed it completely. Made it super simple, and to the point. I think the strongest moment of the song is the last lyric "I'm killing me". Essentially saying the fight has been lost. It's not the most motivating lyric, but I think it was perfect for the current epidemic.
Thank you so much for talking with us about your new singles and creative process. Can you describe how your performances feel? Do you enjoy live shows, or do you prefer the actual songwriting process? Also, any live shows coming up in the near future?
Our live performances are very energetic, but we do like to tone it down a little, and then bring the audience back, and that is exactly what we do with this one. It has a strong beat, but darkness to it that is super fun to play live. I don't think I could choose which I enjoy better. I will say the song-writing process can be a long one, and sometimes very frustrating, but if you want to put on a good live show you need some good songs.