Sonic Scene Kids is an eclectic group of artists who have been individually contributing to the Toronto music scene for almost two decades.
Coming together five months ago, they embody the Punk, Metal, Indie, Ska, and Rock influences from their local music communities that have nurtured their artistry. Their sound is a call-back to those who enjoy replaying old CD mixes whilst catering to those who crave new renditions of the familiar.
The Sonic Scene Kids — comprising Kyle Mallouk, Austin Davidson, Chris Hadzipetros, and Peter Ward — write, produce, and perform their original hits. They aim to connect people and communities through music, which they accomplish in their latest album, "Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath."
"Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath" exhibits the band's characteristic blend of hypnotic guitar riffs, upbeat drums, rich vocals, and captivating melodies. The first track, "Less Than Human," provides commentary on identity and self-perception with the lyrics, “There's something wrong with my mirror's reflection" and "I've got you under my skin, but I'm a little bit less than a human, darling."
These lines shed light on the protagonist's struggle with self-perception. The song's nostalgic sound complements its introspective lyrics, rendering it a powerful introduction to their album. Simultaneously, it communicates a universal message about human vulnerability and the enduring struggle for self-acceptance.
The second track, "Snake Bit," embarks on a journey to explore the harsh realities of life and conformity. The line, "My mind has been branded a prison," emphasizes the self-destructive patterns that can lock us into cycles of despair. This song gives listeners a deeper understanding of the struggles tied to the human experience, presented through a hypnotic symphony of sound.
"Hideaways" candidly presents the idea of emotional concealment and the gruelling cycle of toxic relationships. The song starts with the lyric, "You’re always hiding something,” which depicts someone running from reality. It encourages listeners to face their problems head-on rather than seek refuge in 'hideaways.'
In the album's finale, "Heaven," the group addresses substance abuse. The melody's dreamlike quality amplifies the feelings of longing and loss, creating an ethereal canvas for the lyrics’ painful realities. This song ties the album together by summarizing its overall message: exploring human vulnerabilities, self-destruction, and the quest for salvation.
Throughout “Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath,” Sonic Scene Kids captivate their listeners with mesmerizing music and foster connection through shared experiences and emotions.
Welcome to BuzzMusic Sonic Scene Kids, and congratulations on your latest release, "Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath." Can you share the story behind the name "Sonic Scene Kids?"
The name took a long time to decide on. We wanted to come up with something catchy and memorable but that represents what we are trying to accomplish musically. We went back and forth between the four of us for weeks until we started to circle some common themes. The Masonic Lodge in Mississauga (specifically, Streestville) in the early 2000s was where we connected with our scene and watched some of our favorite bands. Some bands who played shows there during that time went on to have big followings (such as Billy Talent, Alexisonfire, and Bedouin Soundclash), while others remained local favorites. Still, all those bands have had a major influence on us as artists. One of us finally threw out the name “Sonic Scene Kids.” It felt like the connection between the three major themes came together: the physical “Sonic” referring to the Masonic Lodge where we came together, “Scene” referring to the community of artists across the punk, ska, emo, power pop, and metal genres whose shows we attended and “Kids” because of the nostalgic early 2000’s vibe our music has brought us back to that time, and we hope it does the same for those listening.
What were the biggest influences that shaped your group’s distinctive musical style?
All of us spent our early years deeply involved in our local music scene, which included fans and artists from the Emo, Punk, Ska, Rock, Indie, and Metal genres. Most of our influences for the album came from early 2000s pop punk, punk, metal, and emo, but our influences span multiple genres and decades. We didn’t want to prescribe one particular sound when we approached the project. We have not restricted ourselves to a specific genre and have always wanted to stay true to expressing our feelings and experiences. The four of us have eclectic tastes in music. Because of that, we do a good job of balancing searching for new artists and sounds to connect with while always leaning back on the ones that stood the test of time.
How does the title "Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath" reflect the album's spirit?
The title is a funny way of looking at how hard life can be. When you reflect on the lyrics of the songs, it also fits that theme of not taking life too seriously. Just be a good human: live your life, do your best, and say “fuck it” to the rest!
What themes or messages do you hope listeners pick up from "Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath?"
Well, many people are feeling nostalgic these days, especially when it comes to music. Throughout the process, it has been important to ensure the songs represent who we were when we started writing and who we are today as artists. We consciously included nods to some of our previous projects when writing the album. When attending shows in the early 2000s, we would refer to our community as the “Scene.” The Scene was a collective of shows where you built lifelong relationships and memories. Our venues typically had a capacity of 100-200 and were a place to escape, thrive, and be a part of something bigger than yourself. This album is a living, breathing reminder of the scenes that supported and nurtured our personal and musical growth. We feel the world could use more of that shared connection, especially now. Our album hopefully provides a safe place for people to sing, dance, laugh, smile, or cry – whatever they need.
What's next for Sonic Scene Kids?
We want to play live. We have a great lineup with incredible chemistry and are having so much fun right now. We are pushing out the whole album very soon and getting ready to start playing live shows again. Everyone in the band is pumped to play the music we wrote for crowds again. There is no better feeling than communicating how you are feeling through music. A big focus for us has been bringing that Scene back together. As we start sharing and performing, we also try to connect and engage with those in the space who share our mission. We are committed to bringing this idea of community around music to life for those who lived it before and those looking for a safe place to hear awesome music and meet good people.