Spraynard | via spraynardband.tumblr.com
Spraynard’s Pat Graham on signing with with Jade Tree Records and writing more personal songs
Spraynard | via spraynardband.tumblr.com
West Chester punk trio Spraynard always find a way to keep us on the edge of our seats. Pat Graham, Mark Dickinson and Pat “Dos” Ware formed Spraynard back in 2008, but after members parted ways in late 2012 to spend time with other bands (like NONA, Adult Braces and Martin), many fans thought it was the end of the road for the group. But the trio returned in May to rock a swiftly sold-out show at the First Unitarian Church.
But the latest news came from Spraynard this week, an announcement of their signing to Jade Tree Records, with a LP release set for this spring/summer. Spraynard was approached by Jade Tree (which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year) in the summer, and guitarist/vocalist Pat Graham calls the decision to join the record label a “no-brainer.”
“It is a group of passionate people who want to put out records for the love of it,” Graham said. “They mesh perfectly with how we operate as a band.”
Spraynard recently took part in Lame-O Records’ charity split for United Cerebral Palsy, and the in-studio interview showed their goofily comfortable dynamic that helped produce their energetic power-punk track titled “Haulin’ Oats.”
But Graham says the group is going a different route for the upcoming album.
“We attempted to get away from the pop punk side of things this time around. While that side of it still shines through, the songwriting is more patient and thought out,” Graham said. “With our previous records, it felt like we were writing songs for the person listening to it. We’re approaching our band with the same ideals we’ve always had in mind, but we attempted to make a more personal representation of our current lives with this record.”
The album is a product of two weeks spent at Noisy Little Critter in Downington, Pa., and Graham said the group really buckled down in the studio, except for some Wawa runs.
“It was the most involved we’ve ever been in our own record,” Graham said. “At times it was trying, but we’d do it all over again a thousand times.”