PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
( Long Bio) Alternative rock outfit ModernWelfare combines the angst and raw power of hard rock with the immaculate melodies of electronic pop. The four-piece began when front man Lucas Hay escaped from small town life to the city of Pittsburgh in pursuit of a solution to his severe mental illness and substance abuse.
While street performing to make ends meet, Hay crossed paths with fellow street performer and lead guitarist – Daniel Renz. Around this time, drummer John Yabut left everything he knew behind, emigrating from The Philippines in search of the American dream. When Yabut found himself in Pittsburgh, ModernWelfare found their drummer. Deciding to risk it all, the three packed up their lives and relocated to Florida.
The group’s plans were halted when COVID-19 struck the globe. However, this only motivated self-built and self-funded ModernWelfare to push even harder to follow a common dream. The group brought on rhythm guitarist Byron Taylor as the final piece to the puzzle and quarantined in a band house, dedicating each day to writing music.
Embracing their diverse backgrounds and music tastes, ModernWelfare is the most exciting new rock band of 2021. What resulted was a sound reminiscent of Linkin Park, Bring Me The Horizon and Dance Gavin Dance. Lyrically, they lean toward topics related to addiction, mental health, personal experiences and personal struggles.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
Our Latest Single “Walls” Released May 21st, 2021. It was Produced and Recorded at East Iris Studios in Nashville, Tn with Producer Kyle Odell. The Song is a mix of Hard rock and electronic-pop, and the lyrical content is focused on toxic relationships and having the strength to set boundaries.
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
It was a last-minute track we decided to produce and record. After spending time at the studio and getting to know Odell and his team we wanted to write something to bring the rest of the EP together. We tossed around ideas and experiences and “Walls” sums up the subject we decided to write about.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
Catchy, Heavy, Energetic.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
Hybrid Theory (2000) Linkin Park. I was only 7 when this released but both my brothers had the album. As I got older around 11 or 12 this album gave me something to relate to. I was full of angst and
always felt that I was under a lot pressure to live up to the worlds expectations of me so For the first time ever, I found comfort in music. I found others who felt the same way by sharing similar tastes in music. I would sing the lyrics and eventually learn how to play the songs on guitar. To this day I still listen to that album and relate to the music and the words. Overall it changed my life and made me want to be a musician.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
I am really liking the video we have for our latest single walls. Just all the time and effort our editor put in and seeing the final product before release day was an amazing experience
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
I can only speak for me ( Lucas Hay) but I have a psychology degree so maybe something with that but I feel writing and performing music is the only thing I was made for.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
I do sometimes but I just drink a bunch of red bull beforehand so if I’m having a panic attack, I can just tell myself it’s too much caffeine haha
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
We met in Pittsburgh Pa and started a pop punk band. We played some shows and then covid hit. So, we moved to Florida to write an album and record. We met our newest member Byron Taylor (Guitar) and wanted to write something that encompassed all of our tastes. It came out more alternative rock and hard rock and we liked that sound. I’d say Modern Welfare became the real Modern Welfare after we wrote Our ep. (Walls is the first song off that ep)
HOW DO YOU WRITE? - DO YOU HAVE A KEY SONGWRITER, OR DO YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER?
We all work together. Each song of our EP has different influences. John (Drummer ) structures the song. Byron, Dan & Lucas do all the guitar work and Lucas Writes the lyrics and vocal melodies.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
People, Movies, Music, Books, Nature I can honestly say there is so much inspiration in this world it would be easier to list what doesn’t inspire us haha
WHAT IS NEXT?
Our newest Single “Death Of Me” Releases July 16th! It’s the second song off our Ep “Beginning of the end”
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE.
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xJB3htHlgjCsVRKqmHiOY?si=OPaiax_HS9miR7DlyRiHAA&dl_branch=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernwelfareofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernwelfare.official/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE8QD5GAaKE Website www.modernwelfareofficial.com