They communicate through memes. They can pun-ify anything Bernie Sanders. They’re boys from the block. They’ve been playing music for forever; they’re honestly, nothing. No caps.
Local indie-rock band honestly, nothing consists of mechanical engineering sophomore Nickie Gurney [“Nicholas is for strangers”], electrical engineering sophomore Nic Kane, mechanical engineering freshman Cameron Kao and biological sciences sophomore Matthew Neumann. Mustang News had a chance to sit down with the band to talk about self-expression, songs they cried to in middle school, their inspirations and their recommendations for the perfect frisky night in.
At the risk of parroting any band interview ever, I’d really like to know … How’d you come up with honestly, nothing?
NG: Matt and I are both from Paso Robles and we’ve played in other bands, and a big problem is always coming up with names. It’s actually pretty awful. honestly, nothing was an extra that I had and was rejected by other bands, so I saved it for when Nic and I started playing last year.
NK: It’s good, and it’s confusing — which is our main motive.
Can you describe the sound of your band but in the context of a color, shape, texture or type of CVS brand sunglasses?
NG: Amoeboid shape, gradient, topographical. We’re like a mountain, but it’s very clear, with leveled curves. We would be reading glasses that belong to somebody named Clairby.
NK: I’m going to start with the sunglasses. It’s not specifically just the sunglasses but it’s a trucker — he pulls into the CVS parking lot, and he sees the stunna shades and he’s like, “I’d love to sarcastically wear those.” He definitely parks backwards. He also has a jean jacket. It fits. That’s the sound of our music.
CK: Can I do a fruit? Okay, definitely a mango. A soft mango. It’s a little bit overripe but it’s not to the point where it’s too sweet. It’s pretty squishy. It can’t be great 100 percent of the time, you know?
NK: Nothing can be. There’s no such thing as the best mango in the world.
CK: As for color, it’s not so much a color but more a feeling; like the feeling of seeing Christmas lights, like a string of them, that the old couple put up too early, but you’re okay with that. You know it’s in good nature, so you can’t blame them. It’s enjoyable for kind of quirky reasons.
MN: I don’t know if it’s really a texture, but it feels like the feeling of running your finger along a comb. It feels really good.
NG: That’s more fun than like, a slinky. I had a red comb once. But then my brother used it and when he used it, ugh. Bye bye. I didn’t lose it. I did not lose it.
Who is responsible for the lyricism? Can you talk a little bit about some of the themes?
NG: Mostly Nic, a little bit me.
NK: I’m going to say it’s like 3 a.m., and I can’t fall asleep and I’ve written music and I’m channeling my sadness. I can usually get the sadness out. Pretty typically — it’s about breakups.
Do you have a lot of breakups?
NK: No, like three.
At one time?
NK: No, it’s like three different breakups, sequentially. Before I came to college, I was writing a bunch of music and compiling it so I could possibly use it, and then I went through a bad breakup at that time.
Has writing music helped you cope?
NK: It makes me feel better, I guess.
Has said person ever heard those songs?
NK: Not sure, I guess we’ll find out.
Who are you guys inspired by?
MN: As far as drummers go, I’m mostly influenced by Dave Grohl and John Bonham. John was the drummer for Led Zeppelin. I also would like to say that I’m originally like a metal drummer, so it’s interesting to try new music. I always end up playing too quickly and too hardcore.
CK: The most prominent influence in my entire life was my dad. He had a really interesting career on the bass and did a really good job balancing work and playing, so that was really cool. He ended up being pretty sucessful for how much time he invested in playing music. That was pretty impressive to me. I’m really influenced by people who kind of do everything — learn all the instruments, who can write music, know the ins and outs of a lot of different genres. I really do strive to become a very well-rounded musician.
NK: I had a lot of influences throughout my life. I’d say most recently, as far as guitar playing goes — I really enjoy Mac Demarco. Aaron Maine from Porches, vocally and guitar. Everything he does I want to be.
NG: From when I first started playing music, (it was) my friend Ryan. We would hang out and he taught me how to play guitar, and the same thing happened with Nic. Also, Rivers Cuomo from Weezer. He’s a nerd and plays music.
Four-song track list for a frisky night in?
NK: Ignition remix, R. Kelly.
NG: I can make any song a frisky song.
CK: I have no idea … “Through the Fire and Flames.”
MN: Damn, I don’t know. Uh, “Back Pocket” by Vulfpeck.
Songs you cried to/were anthems of sixth grade?
NK: In like sixth grade we went to San Francisco and saw “West Side Story” — I would just listen to that and play pokemon and cry.
NG: Probably “Numb” by Linkin Park.
CK: All the cool skaters in sixth grade listened to Buffalo Soldier.
MN: The middle school anthem was definitely “Babe, I’m gonna to leave you” by Led Zeppelin. There’s so much emotion to that song, I’ve definitely cried to it on several occasions.