I recently caught Arctic Flowers play their record release show in Portland for their new LP, Weaver, out on Deranged Records (North America) and Sabotage Records (Europe). The last time I saw them live was at a weekday matinee show in a vegan straightedge loft in Brooklyn, which was frankly one of the top ten most awkward DIY shows I had ever seen. This experience was entirely different though; the band at the top of their game in their hometown, supported by Criminal Code and the fantastic Bellicose Minds.

Their new songs build on their anarcho-punk/peace-punk foundation, while sometimes going down a more poppy road than previous output. Arctic Flowers are still all goth all the time for sure, true to their dreary Pacific Northwest home. You can stream the new album in its entirety below, as well as hear a stellar mix tape from Arctic Flowers vocalist Alex.

In this interview, conducted at a table outside of The Know (a great punk bar where the record release show happened), we speak about music in Portland, jumping through stages while playing the guitar, Lorde, Nirvana, and writing a hit song. Arctic Flowers is Stan on guitar, Lee on bass, Cliff on drums, and Alex on vocals.

NOISEY: If you could assassinate one living person, who would it be?
Cliff: Lee’s Dad!
Lee: You know, with the NSA shit, I would probably say something different than what I’m going to say. I just don’t feel comfortable answering that question.
Alex: I’m still really mad at Michael Vick. He’s a chump. I’d kill him. Anybody else want anybody to die? Nobody?
Lee: The makers of Portlandia, I think they should have been assassinated well before that was created. There won’t be people coming to my house to take me away to prison for saying that.

Other than Portlandia, what do you guys think about Portland and gigs and the scene out here?
Alex: Portland’s great.
Stan: Yeah, I like Portland.
Lee: It rules. I feel really lucky to live here.

Have you guys all relocated to here? Are you from here?
Lee: All relocated.

Why did that happen do you think?
Alex: It’s an easy life in Portland.
Stan: It’s really laid back. It’ cheaper. If you’re into punk, there’s a huge punk scene. I see punks walking down the street that I don’t even fucking know. Like that you’ve never even seen at a show, from out in the suburbs or something. It’s everywhere. And there’s more people moving here all the time. It’s a good community.
Lee: There are a lot of punks our age and there are a lot of parks. It’s easy to live and work in the same neighborhood. Lots of reasons.

Alex: What are the good bands here? Alex: Stan: Alex: Do you guys practice at Blackwater [ a multipurpose punk warehouse that Alex co-runs in Portland ]? Do you think having a bunch of bands all practicing in one space does anything? Does it change what you guys do in any way? Alex: Stan: Lee: Is it all punk people practicing there? Stan: Alex: Stan: Where did you guys record your new record, Weaver? What was the writing process like? Stan: Q: Do you guys write the music together? Stan: Lee: Stan: Alex: What do you sing about? Alex: Stan, how long have you been recording bands for? How long have you had your studio that you’re at now? Stan: What have been some of the most memorable sessions for you? Lee: Stan: Alex: Stan: Have any of you guys ever been seriously injured at a show before? Stan: Did you keep playing? Stan: That rules. What are you guys listening to these days? Lee:

Cliff, what are you listening to these days?
Cliff: You don’t want to know.
[The rest of Arctic Flowers chanting]: Tell us, tell us, tell us!
Cliff: I’ve been listening to a lot of Status Quo, which is like a UK rock band. This year I really fell in love with the Lorde album. Awesome pop.

Song of the Year. She won it.
Cliff: I didn’t know that. I’m not really up on the gossip about it, I just have it.
Stan: Didn’t she jam with Nirvana?
Cliff: I jammed with Nirvana too!
Lee: We all love Duran Duran.
Alex: We’re all Duran fans.

If you wanted to accomplish something as a band and if you had to put that into words, what would that be?
Lee: Go to Europe. And release two more records that are better than our other records. And one day I want to be able to play in the dark. I’m working on that.
Cliff: I really want to some day have projected behind us on a screen, like, illuminated drums and then fucking sparkles that come out when you hit them.
Stan: Not suck.
Alex: Figure out how to not suck. Wear more party dresses on stage.
Stan: I’d like to write one of those songs that you remember forever. You know, from a certain band, you’re like, yep, “Nervous Breakdown,” Black Flag, whatever. It’d be awesome to have a song like that.
Alex: Someday. One nugget of shit will rise to the top.