Having recently signed to Triple Crown/You Did This Records, Life Lessons is pop punk band from Oklahoma City, OK. More often than not we hear of these great bands coming from big cities, or from states with bigger scene. Oklahoma is smack dab in the middle of the country, and not really what anyone would expect when they hear pop punk. Regardless, Life Lessons are quickly getting everyone’s attention with each new release.
I was able to talk to guitarist Alex Akins about what inspired all the songs off the EP and this is what he had to say:
” Lyrically, the majority of the new songs on “Best When In Motion” (including Attention To Detail) have existential themes that can be picked up on. There’s been a lot that’s happened in the last year in everyone’s personal lives that helped shape the direction of these new songs. We’ve all grown as people, and that shows through the lyrical content and musical content.
Musically, I feel like we’ve locked ourselves in and thoroughly understand our places in the band for the sound we’re exploring right now. All of the new songs were written from the ground up in Kaden and Andrew’s living room. We all contribute to the writing process, so these songs are a great representation of who we are as a band.
Some of the influences that snuck into the new songs were Northstar and Senses Fail. A few of us got really into Northstar’s “Is This Thing Loaded?” and “Pollyanna” at the beginning of 2017 and I think that really impacted us. We did a 5 song Senses Fail cover set in Oklahoma at the end of 2016 and learning those songs as a band revealed some cool writing mechanics that we occasionally incorporated into “Best When In Motion”. Other personal influences for me in the studio and leading up to recording included Ryan Adams, Armor For Sleep, and Deftones.
I think that all 5 songs on “Best When In Motion” are on the same level of writing and I think they’re all great songs, but I think it’s up to the listener to figure out which they prefer or relate to the most. “
A little over a year ago I had the chance to see, and play a show, with these guys. Let’s just say I’ve been hooked on them ever since. First song I heard was Reflections off their 2nd release “I Know What I’m Not”. They have a very similar sound to bands like Knuckle Puck, Senses Fail, and Taking Back Sunday. One apparent thing I noticed with all of their music is the consistency in production, and how well-done their harmonies are.
As for the song they just released titled “Attention To Detail”, it definitely has that familiar sound that Life Lessons brings to the table. Vocals are spot on, especially when they pull off the harmonies they’re so good at doing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDMs1j0BK1g
You can catch them on tour this fall with Four Year Strong for the 10th Anniversary Tour Pt.2 of Rise or Die Trying
