Push to Fire: Q&A with Unwritten Law

Unwritten Law
by Meghan Player

It's been a long time between drinks for Californian rockers, Unwritten Law. But with their new album being released in March, and an Australian tour confirmed, the band look as if they had never really went away. This was a completely different story a couple of years ago, as bassist Pat Kim tells Push To Fire, "this was initially supposed to be our last album," he begins, "at the time, the band was at odds.. the fire just seemed about out. The enthusiasm was at an all time low."
This seems surprising to say the least. Unwritten Law, a band at the forefront of the California rock/punk genre since the early 90s - lacking enthusiasm and passion?
"We went in and recorded the album, [this being the first attempt], half arsed, just to make a quick buck. And it definately sounded like it as well," he reflects.
So, for a band that felt completely uninspired, unmotivated, and overall seeming like they were on their 'last legs', we can't help but ask, 'what changed?'
"We realised that under all the crud we were recording, that there was an actual diamond in the rough," PK explains. "We erased everything we had done, sat down and rewrote and reworked everything out properly."
Fast forward to now, and the bands latest album, 'Swan' is due to be released in March of this year. The hardships, trials and tribulations of the past seem to have been put behind them, and is also fittingly reflected in the title of the album.
"It was an ugly process, an ugly time, an ugly moment, ugly attitudes," he explains, "But [we] ended up with quite a beautiful album. Basically, the ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan."
Most recently, the band released first single from the new album, entitled 'Starships and Apocalypse' - a high energy track, that hits you just as hard as any Unwritten Law track released previously. The consistency and enthusiasm of the music produced during this teaser for the upcoming album, makes it hard to believe the band had once lost its voice.
As for what the fans could, nay should, expect from the album, "Expect the unexpected," he believes, "That's what you would expect from this band anyhow."
This time around, fans of the band were a part of the albums overall effect, after being given the opportunity to design the cover artwork. Most recently, not one, but three winners were announced - and PK maintains the belief that the fans are the most important part of the album, "it is, and always will be, the number one thing for this band. The fans are the band. We wouldn't be here otherwise."
Indeed it has been a long ride for the band, and their most diehard of fans. Formed in the early 90s, the band have produced albums that have won and lost fans [and band members] along the way, but their dynamic as a group, never seems to change, "I believe [the key to] our longevity is that we have never followed any trends and sounds. We have always done our own thing. We were never really part of any clique. We just always did, and are [still] doing our own thing."
Once again, with any new album, comes the expectation of touring - and most recently, the band announced a tour of Australia - to coincide with the albums release date. Whilst our shores aren't unfamiliar with the band touring here, there are some finer points PK is looking forward to upon the bands return to Oz - "Drinking Coopers Green, fine wine and [eating] meat pies. [I] also want to box a few kangaroos."
What is probably most humbling, is PK's idea to play a benefit gig for those Australians effected by the floods in Queensland [and most recently Victoria], "what I would really love to happen is to possibly do a benefit show somewhere out there on one of our days off - to help raise some money for relief. We'll see if we can make that happen."
But overall, he had this message for all the Australian fans: "You Aussies are the toughest and most enduring bunch of cunts I've ever met."

Much thanks to Pat Kim for taking the time to answer our questions. Find more info and music clips on their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/unwrittenlaw. 2011 Tour dates - USA: March 4th Tucson, AZ / March 5th Tempe, AZ / March 11th San Diego, CA / March 12th West Hollywood, CA. // AUSTRALIA: March 17th Perth / March 19th Brisbane / March 20th Coolangatta / March 25th Adelaide / March 26th Kensington / March 27th Melbourne. // USA: April 2nd, Redlands, CA.

Unwritten Law by Meghan Player It's been a long time between drinks for Californian rockers, Unwritten Law. But with their new album being released in March, and an Australian tour confirmed, the band look as if they had never really went away. This was a completely different story a couple of years ago, as bassist Pat Kim tells Push To Fire, "this was initially supposed to be our last album," he begins, "at the time, the band was at odds.. the fire just seemed about out. The enthusiasm was at an all time low." This seems surprising to say the least. Unwritten Law, a band at the forefront of the California rock/punk genre since the early 90s - lacking enthusiasm and passion? "We went in and recorded the album, [this being the first attempt], half arsed, just to make a quick buck. And it definately sounded like it as well," he reflects. So, for a band that felt completely uninspired, unmotivated, and overall seeming like they were on their 'last legs', we can't help but ask, 'what changed?' "We realised that under all the crud we were recording, that there was an actual diamond in the rough," PK explains. "We erased everything we had done, sat down and rewrote and reworked everything out properly." Fast forward to now, and the bands latest album, 'Swan' is due to be released in March of this year. The hardships, trials and tribulations of the past seem to have been put behind them, and is also fittingly reflected in the title of the album. "It was an ugly process, an ugly time, an ugly moment, ugly attitudes," he explains, "But [we] ended up with quite a beautiful album. Basically, the ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan." Most recently, the band released first single from the new album, entitled 'Starships and Apocalypse' - a high energy track, that hits you just as hard as any Unwritten Law track released previously. The consistency and enthusiasm of the music produced during this teaser for the upcoming album, makes it hard to believe the band had once lost its voice. As for what the fans could, nay should, expect from the album, "Expect the unexpected," he believes, "That's what you would expect from this band anyhow." This time around, fans of the band were a part of the albums overall effect, after being given the opportunity to design the cover artwork. Most recently, not one, but three winners were announced - and PK maintains the belief that the fans are the most important part of the album, "it is, and always will be, the number one thing for this band. The fans are the band. We wouldn't be here otherwise." Indeed it has been a long ride for the band, and their most diehard of fans. Formed in the early 90s, the band have produced albums that have won and lost fans [and band members] along the way, but their dynamic as a group, never seems to change, "I believe [the key to] our longevity is that we have never followed any trends and sounds. We have always done our own thing. We were never really part of any clique. We just always did, and are [still] doing our own thing." Once again, with any new album, comes the expectation of touring - and most recently, the band announced a tour of Australia - to coincide with the albums release date. Whilst our shores aren't unfamiliar with the band touring here, there are some finer points PK is looking forward to upon the bands return to Oz - "Drinking Coopers Green, fine wine and [eating] meat pies. [I] also want to box a few kangaroos." What is probably most humbling, is PK's idea to play a benefit gig for those Australians effected by the floods in Queensland [and most recently Victoria], "what I would really love to happen is to possibly do a benefit show somewhere out there on one of our days off - to help raise some money for relief. We'll see if we can make that happen." But overall, he had this message for all the Australian fans: "You Aussies are the toughest and most enduring bunch of cunts I've ever met."
Much thanks to Pat Kim for taking the time to answer our questions. Find more info and music clips on their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/unwrittenlaw. 2011 Tour dates - USA: March 4th Tucson, AZ / March 5th Tempe, AZ / March 11th San Diego, CA / March 12th West Hollywood, CA. // AUSTRALIA: March 17th Perth / March 19th Brisbane / March 20th Coolangatta / March 25th Adelaide / March 26th Kensington / March 27th Melbourne. // USA: April 2nd, Redlands, CA.