FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Music

Summer Vacation Is Already Over, Prepare for Winter Break

Three guys at the heart of LA’s DIY music scene return with a new name and a new album for people who hate school/the sun/themselves.

Either the definition of pop punk is shifting or we need a better way to describe bands like LA’s Winter Break (formerly Summer Vacation). Their self-titled album explodes with frenzied energy and screeching vocals, but the bass hooks, noodling guitars, and down-tempo moments add an unmistakable alt-rock dimension, evoking shades of Superdrag and Teenage Fanclub. “People say it’s pop punk, so I guess that’s what it is,” laughs bassist Aaron Kovacs. “I’m not sure what the style was,” adds guitarist Mark Chen, referencing to the band’s earlier work. “I think it was just a bunch of random things we pulled out of our asses.”

Advertisement

Despite emerging from the band’s collective ass, Winter Break’s self-titled “debut” proves to be a worthy follow-up to 2012’s Condition and earlier splits with Joyce Manor, Hard Girls, and Glocca Mora. “Winter Break definitely feels like a continuation of what we were doing before,” affirms Chen. “The style now is pretty solid. We know what we’re trying to do.” The album’s physical release arrives May 19 on Asian Man Records, Making New Enemies, and Kovacs’ own Lauren Records, which is also responsible for LA’s annual Growing Up Is Dumb fest. We asked them where they stand on the whole summer versus winter issue. You can hear the record in full for the first time anywhere below. Crank it up while you ditch your finals.

Noisey: So which is better: Summer vacation or winter break?
Aaron Kovacs: I guess I like staying inside more than going places. That’s more of a winter thing than a summer thing. [Laughs] If I could go to the beach in the summer or stay inside when it’s raining, I’d rather stay inside when it’s raining.

Mark Chen: I was actually going to say the same thing. Summer is too hot. Actually, the first thing I thought about for doing something fun in the winter is just playing video games because that’s what I’ve been into lately.

Are video games a big influence on Winter Break the band?
Chen: No, but they might be one day.

So you’re going with winter…
Chen: Maybe summer is a little better. It’s a little longer. More fun things happen in the summer. I see better shows in the summer because more bands are touring.

Kovacs: Winter’s kind of good just because you get to hang out by yourself. That’s pretty much it.

Chen: Yeah, but that’s pretty nice too.