Two and a half years after the release of Glow On, Brendan Yates reflects on an intense period of change, adaptation, and growth—all while protecting his sensitivity against the harsh glare.
Turnstile seem to be opening up doors for this particular subculture the way Nirvana did for theirs, but based on this interview, I think Turnstile's in a much healthier place than that band was when they blew up. Thinking back to Tuesday's essay, I see parallels - because those early bands (and people) were hard, they made space for the people who came after them to be themselves.
And I think part of what makes a hardcore kid a hardcore kid is earnestness - hardcore doesn't really seem like a place for irony and sarcasm. It's important to believe and to try.
They all come from good families and have wayyyy healthier attachments than the nirvana esque bands before them. Tight knit group, full creative inspiration, the real deal 🤙
I want to start by saying I'm choosing to listen to Turnstile for maybe the first time in a couple of years as I type. I remember simultaneously being caught up with their music as well as Angel Dust in 2016 around the time of Sound and Fury festival that summer. Turnstile especially is a band that soundwise always reads bright to me, if that makes any sense. While my music choices are consistently varied, I've not found myself seeking out the brighter side of things lately so Turnstile and I parted ways somewhere along the way. This conversation with Brendan was not only interesting in a purely human sense, but it reminded me why when asked about Turnstile my standard answer is that I respect them as a group in a genre that comes off incredibly jaded and seems to be trying as honestly as they can to be exactly who they are.
Turnstile is a band I say I'm glad I saw when I could still afford the ticket, and I'm not surprised their beyond my reach. I'll probably have to read this again to fully sort through everything covered and appreciate the time you both invested in this conversation. Hopefully my rambles make sense. Thanks!
This interview gives me the warm fuzzies, really enjoyed reading it and respect to you and Brendon's candor and humility. Saw Turnstile in Auckland last year and as well as the gig being amazing, the guys were outside afterward just chillin. They've worked hard over the last wee while, as a former tour tech their schedule looked absolutely insane. I hope they get some much needed rest before getting stuck into the new album.
This was a wonderful interview, Norman. Thank you.
I'm so stoked for these guys and how far they've come. From seeing them in a small DIY garage venue I used to help run, to an enormous venue in Denver with full light show and confetti cannons, to videos of them playing enormous festivals... The way Brendan talks about seizing opportunities, but remaining who they've always been is right on.
I'm a firm believer that the boundaries of hardcore can and should be pushed, and they are doing it in such a great way.
(FYI - The "wearing colors" link seems to be broken.)
Amazing as always Norman. The sensitivity and lack of hyped up masculinity is a key reason I love this band and like so many of this new crop of "HC" bands. It's honestly allowed me to start listening to HC again.
On a different note, every interview we get a small nugget of some really interesting music related experience you've had. Any plans for someone to interview you for this zine? Or some other long form interview? I'd love to hear more!
There are *a ton* of longform interviews with me in the world. Take your pick! But honestly, I think a lot of the essays I write are kind of longer meditations of things I've said in interviews or stories I've told. I'm really happy to have a place where I can spread out and go deeper.
Turnstile seem to be opening up doors for this particular subculture the way Nirvana did for theirs, but based on this interview, I think Turnstile's in a much healthier place than that band was when they blew up. Thinking back to Tuesday's essay, I see parallels - because those early bands (and people) were hard, they made space for the people who came after them to be themselves.
And I think part of what makes a hardcore kid a hardcore kid is earnestness - hardcore doesn't really seem like a place for irony and sarcasm. It's important to believe and to try.
They all come from good families and have wayyyy healthier attachments than the nirvana esque bands before them. Tight knit group, full creative inspiration, the real deal 🤙
Love this! My fondness for Brandon and thr band has only been elevated (even if he left you hanging on the video question)
Love turnstile, can’t wait to see the new album they end up producing
I want to start by saying I'm choosing to listen to Turnstile for maybe the first time in a couple of years as I type. I remember simultaneously being caught up with their music as well as Angel Dust in 2016 around the time of Sound and Fury festival that summer. Turnstile especially is a band that soundwise always reads bright to me, if that makes any sense. While my music choices are consistently varied, I've not found myself seeking out the brighter side of things lately so Turnstile and I parted ways somewhere along the way. This conversation with Brendan was not only interesting in a purely human sense, but it reminded me why when asked about Turnstile my standard answer is that I respect them as a group in a genre that comes off incredibly jaded and seems to be trying as honestly as they can to be exactly who they are.
Turnstile is a band I say I'm glad I saw when I could still afford the ticket, and I'm not surprised their beyond my reach. I'll probably have to read this again to fully sort through everything covered and appreciate the time you both invested in this conversation. Hopefully my rambles make sense. Thanks!
This was a really excellent interview. Thanks for being so open with each other!
This interview gives me the warm fuzzies, really enjoyed reading it and respect to you and Brendon's candor and humility. Saw Turnstile in Auckland last year and as well as the gig being amazing, the guys were outside afterward just chillin. They've worked hard over the last wee while, as a former tour tech their schedule looked absolutely insane. I hope they get some much needed rest before getting stuck into the new album.
This was a super insightful article, thanks for bringing Brandon on!
This was a wonderful interview, Norman. Thank you.
I'm so stoked for these guys and how far they've come. From seeing them in a small DIY garage venue I used to help run, to an enormous venue in Denver with full light show and confetti cannons, to videos of them playing enormous festivals... The way Brendan talks about seizing opportunities, but remaining who they've always been is right on.
I'm a firm believer that the boundaries of hardcore can and should be pushed, and they are doing it in such a great way.
(FYI - The "wearing colors" link seems to be broken.)
Weird. The link seems to work on my end!
Yep. Working now. Momentary malfunction.
B-Yates the bullet-dodger. I think of Andrew Clark and John Bender looking at Claire, “well, if you would just answer the question”
Amazing as always Norman. The sensitivity and lack of hyped up masculinity is a key reason I love this band and like so many of this new crop of "HC" bands. It's honestly allowed me to start listening to HC again.
On a different note, every interview we get a small nugget of some really interesting music related experience you've had. Any plans for someone to interview you for this zine? Or some other long form interview? I'd love to hear more!
As always thank you for all you do!!!
There are *a ton* of longform interviews with me in the world. Take your pick! But honestly, I think a lot of the essays I write are kind of longer meditations of things I've said in interviews or stories I've told. I'm really happy to have a place where I can spread out and go deeper.
I'll definitely search those out! Of course looking forward to more essays!
Incredible interview!!!