San Diego rockers The Undertaking just released their new single "No Friends" ahead of their new album "Funeral Psalms" (Out 4/30) and to celebrate we asked vocalist Austin Visser to tell us about the track. Here is the story:
'No Friends' was a fun song for the band to create. The idea started when [guitarist] Johnny [Mercuri] tried to write a riff that was too hard to play in an effort to challenge himself in the writing process. His office is across the hallway from mine, so he called me over to show me the riff.... and I said, 'Um... that's definitely a song.' Due to the pounding nature of the intro riff, the rest of the song fell into place with frantic verses and chorus. Initially, we returned to the breakdown at the end of the song but we decided to cut off. This decision ratcheted the tension in the final few seconds to an intense level that never really releases.
Lyrically, 'No Friends' is the ultimate 'plank-eye syndrome' song. We are so quick to judge the splinter in someone else's eye while completely omitting the plank in our own! The song starts out by blaming my hurt/trauma on others but I quickly switch to self-evaluation. The chorus lists off all the reasons I'm a bad friend (selfish, rude, conceited, vain.... none of which are good attributes to have). I'm literally condemning these behavior traits! Needless to say, I have some work to do and need to be a better friend. Also... you could be better too.
Finally, the title of the song is an homage to NBA beast Russell Westbrook who once said that in a basketball game he "has no friends, just Spalding."
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen and watch for yourself below and learn more about the album here
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Days 4 & 5: Starship Lands on the Pearl, Alan Parsons Takes It Home
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
blink-182 Launching North American Stadium And Arena Tour
Watch David Gilmour's 'The Piper's Call' Video
Check Out Powerman 5000 'Dancing Like We're Dead'
The String Cheese Incident Take Fans On Epic 'Roll Around The Sun'
Watch Motley Crue's 'Dogs Of War' Video
Richie Sambora Returns With 'I Pray', The First Of Four New Songs
The Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Guitarist
Linkin Park Top Hard Rock And Vinyl Albums Charts With Papercuts