Badflower, a rock band originally from Los Angeles, has uprooted to Nashville, and they are ready to take over. The band delivers a pop punk sound reminiscent of the early 2000’s when blink-182 surged in popularity, but the band’s meaningful lyrics have deep sentimental value. Josh Katz, the lead singer, of Badflower says the band’s sound is a mix of the punk rock likes of blink mixed in with Death Cab for Cutie lyrical vibes. The band is now on tour with 311.
Sat down with Los Angeles native Katz to talk about their latest album, influences, and their single “Detroit”.
How’d the band get together?
Two of us went to high school together. Three of us California folks met around the same time in Los Angeles when we were eighteen. We wanted to start a band because we were so into music.
How would you describe Badflower’s sound?
It’s lyrically driven rock music. It’s more about the lyrics and the storytelling though than the actual sound. We drift into and out of different genres.
Who are the band’s influences?
Blink-182 for sure. When it comes performances and stage shows, that’s the fun I seen any anyone had. They tell jokes and there’s no pressure coming from them and they can be themselves. I love that era of music of pop punk Blink, Green Day, etc. I also like Bright Eyes and Death Cab For Cutie for the meaningful lyrics. It’s sort of mixing those two genres of music. I like the fun and sass that punk rock gives off as well.
Why leave Los Angeles for Nashville?
During Covid, we were in Nashville recording. I always wanted land in Los Angeles. I wanted acres in land. I was in the studio and they were going to shut down the tours.
Why did you name the album No Place Like Home? What does the hammer represent on the album cover?
“No Place Like Home” was one of the songs written for this album.
I found acres in land in Tennessee and have been living on a farm. It’s been a fixer upper of a place. One interpretation is that I am doing actual work with the hammer. The hammer is the perfect interpretation of my mental state and it’s a perfect tool for building and destroying.
What is the single “Detroit” about?
It’s about setting these expectations and goals for yourself and your career, then sabotaging a lot of your personal life in order to achieve it and then you don’t feel satisfied when you have it.
How’d the tour come about with 311?
We had a tour booked with 311 and Incubus before Covid happened. We were suppose to support them on tour. When touring came around again, now we are supporting 311. It naturally had to happen again.
Do you think it’s time for Badflower?
I think it’s AI’s time, but as soon as that wears off I hope it’ll be time for humans again.
