Interview: Lost In Society

Lost In Society are set to make some noise in the punk scene. The Asbury Park group played their first show in 2004 and have been gaining a ton of buzz ever since. The trio recently signed with rising punk label Altercation Records and won the "Best Punk Band" award at the Asbury Park Awards last year. The band was also chosen to perform with acts such as The Bouncing Souls, The Misfits & Strike Anywhere.

This year, LIS is looking to take on the U.S. with appearances at SXSW, Valley of the Vapors festival and a two week stint on this summer's Vans Warped Tour. Vocalist Zach Moyle discussed the band's upcoming split with American Pinup, his thoughts on the current state of punk rock and Warped Tour.

1) What was it like working on the split with American Pinup?

We actually recorded the songs months apart from each other. But touring with them to support the release was a lot of fun. We’ve had some great times with those lunatics.

2) Lost In Society is currently in the studio working on the next record. How's that going?

We actually just finished up tracking everything on January 21st   at Lakehouse Studios. We went for five straight days and busted out eleven new tracks! We’re extremely excited for it to be finished. We think the songs are our best yet and we hope everyone else agrees.

3) The band is set to perform at this year's SXSW festival. What are you most looking forward to about it?

I think I can speak for everyone in saying that we’re really excited, mainly for the experience. SXSW is such a legendary festival and we’re stoked to be a part of it this year. Everyone is there for the same reason, music. I’ve never been to the festival, so I’m excited to go as a band, as well as a fan of music in general. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.

4) How excited was everyone about winning "Top Punk Band" at the Asbury Music Awards?

We were all pretty stoked about winning the honors Top Punk Band this year. Asbury has a great music scene and we’re happy to be a part of it. It’s also nice knowing that people are starting to see how hard we have been working for all of these years. We work our asses off and so do all of the bands that were nominated along with us, so it’s nice when people take notice. Shout out to The Obvious, they were nominated too. They’re my personal favorite act out of New Jersey.

5) What are some of your favorite NJ venues?

My favorite venue in New Jersey is definitely the Asbury Lanes. That place is rad. The people that work there are awesome too. They treat bands like family. The Saint is a real solid venue in Asbury Park as well. Also, grungy basement shows at Rutgers University in New Brunswick are always a band favorite.

6) The band is also set to perform on this years Warped Tour. Any stories from attending Warped Tour in the past?

My favorite Warped Tour memory was when I was walking around in between sets and I stumbled upon a tent when I thought I heard Greg Attonito’s voice (singer of The Bouncing Souls). I went to investigate and it was in fact Greg, along with his wife. They were playing an acoustic set and it was really great. Greg actually dedicated the last song of the set to me after fans were yelling out song requests and I screamed “Play whatever the hell you want”. That was quite awesome.

7) What are your thoughts on the current state of punk rock?

I think Punk Rock is at a low point right now, at least in the “mainstream” perspective. There are a lot of great punk bands out there right now; you just have to know where to look. There is definitely no shortage of talented punk bands out there keeping the D.I.Y. ethic alive and well. However, I am not too fond of this new “pop-punk” movement, which in my opinion isn’t really pop-punk at all. I think most people will know what I’m talking about. Seriously though…since when does “pop-punk” have break downs and dueling guitar riffs? Huh?

8) What bands are you listening to?

The Foo Fighters and Brand New have been playing heavily on my ipod lately. But I’ve also been really into bands like Strike Anywhere and The Flatliners lately. Those are two awesome punk bands that everyone should check out, if they haven’t already.

9) What are some of the band's plans after Warped Tour?

Well believe it or not, we will probably start practicing new material again and get ready to record yet another record. We will also most likely plan a fall tour or try to convince a killer national act to take us with them around the world (fingers crossed). Oh, and as always, we will plan for world domination.

Lost In Society will have their spilt release show this Friday at Asbury Lanes. The Lost In Society/American Pinup split will be released this Tuesday. Catch the band on this summer's Warped Tour from July 5th - July 18th.