by Ramon Mesa (8/29/22)
photo taken by Ramon Mesa ( @scumverga)( Junkie playing at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, California on July 9th, 2022)
That day they played with Reckling, Death Lens and Bass Drum of Death. Seeing Floats play after like 3ish years was an amazing experience, they even played Junkie songs and that shit got me emo as fuck :,| <3 personal favorites were UFO and Dancing with Our Feet.That show was sick as fuck, Bass Drum Of Death played the whole GB City album in its entirety. Nerve Jamming and Get found were particularly rowdy. Also Brandon and Max from FIDLAR were playing with Reckling so seeing them in real life was also crazy. AND Ryan Baxley was there too (boyfriend of Alice Baxley/Fidlar video creator/cool human being). Another random cool thing was that there was some girl in a wheel chair going hard in the pit lmao that was cool as fuck to see; everyone there was really having a good time and it was a sick show that i'm glad i got to experience. Thanks Mark ily <3
In this interview we got the chance to talk to Mark from the band Floats about playing shows again after having taken a break from music. Him and fellow best friend/band member Daniel used to play as Junkie a couple years ago and would play packed shows in all kinds of places from Texas to LA and have recently started playing shows again as Floats which is Marks solo project.
1 - Who are you?
Yo what’s up I’m mark
2 – From?
I play guitar and sing in Floats
3 - What made you wanna take a break from music?
Gonna keep it real and be honest. A break from music/playing was never something I ever wanted but I won’t lie playing the same songs and sets and yada yada was starting to feel repetitive and around that time is when a former band member (junkie) had allegations brought up against them which is coincidentally when the pandemic hit which brought the whole world to a stop. With all that happening at the time my feelings were everywhere and especially when it came to even thinking about even trying to write or create music the anxiety I had was so overwhelming that it led to the 3 year hiatus of no music.
4 - How has it felt playing shows again and making music again with your friends?
It’s fucking awesome lol. The feeling of being on “stage” just jamming is something I’ll never want to lose and especially doing it and experiencing that with Daniel is special to me.
5 - What was your first show back?
First show back was July 7th 2022 @ the paper tiger in the 210
6 - How was it?
Eye opening. Amazing. Fucking fun!!! Like dude people were singing lyrics to FLOATS songs hahahah crazy!!!!
7 - Do you still have the surf rider?
Yes! The Surf rider is the best reverb pedal ever I’d buy it a 3rd time if I had to.
8 - What is your pedal set up rn?
My pedal set up right now is a poly tune- big muff-surf rider-flashback delay. Lol I actually bought the big muff because I saw you ramon use it the one time we came here to play with y’all under the little cabana and that shit sounded so heavy and nasty and I wanted it ever since.
9 – What’s been your favorite show you’ve ever played?
Favorite show we ever played? Can’t answer bc every one is my favorite I love me some intimate underground as fuck type shows though.
10 – What’s your favorite band to play with?
Also favorite band to play with? Any band that are my homies like ppl I actually know and are cool with. That is super important to me. Because I just want to experience what comes our way with people who I know would enjoy it just as much as us.
11 - What’s your favorite venue you’ve ever played?
Constellation room still holds the that title. Just a badass venue staff and very accommodating to the artists love that!!!
12 – When did you and Daniel meet? And how’d you guys meet?
Me and Daniel met in high school 2010. We were freshman and I just remember seeing him around and telling everyone how cool he was and that I wanted to be his friend so bad hahahahhahaha true story and the rest is history it was that easy.
13 – How did Junkie form originally?
Junkie formed from me coming from a hardcore scene where I felt alienated and I just wanted to feel loved and accepted.
14 – How did you guys meet your new drummer Edward?
So when I was a freshman I met Edward as junior in band lol he was in drumline.
15 - What’s your favorite song to play in your set?
Out of the current set we’re doing I love playing switchblade. We all love that one and the energy is unmatched between us.
16 – What’s the first show you ever played and how old were you guys?
First show we played I can’t remember but we were like 17/18 years old.
17 - How old were you when you got your gauges?
I was 14 and regret it.
18 - Why?
Lol 😂 bc I was at 1 1/2 and then they fell out in the ocean and I went to the mall right after and they didn’t have my size so my ears shrunk and i don’t wanna gauge up again bc it’s so painful hahahaha
19 - What are your favorite bands?
Tennis, the chats, the drums, BRONCHO, beastie boys so many others but the tops for sure.
20 – is there any dream venues you would wanna play someday?
Any house of blues.
21 – How would you describe San Antonio to people who aren’t from there?
San antonio is chill. fuck the Alamo go spurs go and bean and cheese tacos.
22 – What happened to the green Junkie van?
I just sold it LOL.
23 – Have you ever played in any other band that’s not Floats or Junkie?
Yeah I’ve played in a couple of other bands with some friends just filling in. Fuck I loved doing that. If anyone needs a bassist hit me up.
24 - Were there ever Junkie records out on vinyl? And if so are there any left? 👀👀
DUDE ASK DANIEL PLEASE BC I NEED THAT ANSWERED TOO.
* Daniel:
25 – Whats the song UFO about? I fucking love that song
UFO is also my favorite song <3 it’s about a very special time in my life specifically after a little trip I had just went on and it all ending on the drive back home to Texas.
26 – Whats happening next for Floats in terms of music or shows or tours?
For Floats we’re just getting back into the swing of things. this time around for sure all it’s about is just playing and building everyone up around us along the way bc that’s all it’s about. LOVE XO
Follow Floats
Next Floats shows:
- 9/9 SATX HOUSE SHOW
- 9/16 Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
- 9/17 West Philly @ Baby Gap
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