Weigh The Anchor Discuss Their Third EP 'Right At Home'
Photo by Quade Beltran
Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, Weigh The Anchor are the next big thing to come out of the pop-punk scene in Canada. With just two EP’s to their name - True Colours in 2017 and Different Ways in 2019 - the band has honed their sound and are gearing up to release their third EP Right At Home this Friday, July 10th.
Composed of Brad Gresko on guitar, Andrew Zamora on vocals, and Brendan Lennard on drums, this trifecta put energetic pop-punk at the forefront of their sound, while trying to stay as diverse as possible. “When asked we usually call ourselves pop-punk or rock, but we really try not to advertise ourselves as one thing,” says Gresko. “We really do think our sound has evolved coming into this new EP and we wanted to use this release to try to write four different songs that can really start to show the range in what we can write. We have influences from pop-punk to heavy metal and we want our songs to really reflect where we are in life and how we feel at that moment.”
Kicking off the EP is “Medicate”, an incredibly catchy pop-punk anthem, containing one of the most emo lyrics you will hear all year in “scars from the knife you twisted” - the ultimate lyric to represent the “you stabbed me in the back when I needed you most” mentality of many early 2000’s scene classics. “Medicate” showcases some of this band’s best qualities - they can write a super catchy chorus, while delivering chuggy riffs reminiscent of pinnacle easycore bands like A Day to Remember and Four Year Strong.
While the band did not cite any specific influences for their sound, they admit they draw inspiration from any and every genre. “We all came from different backgrounds but found our way to music one way or another.” Gresko continues, “We each had family members that were involved in music in some capacity, so it was just something that was always around. It would be hard to name all the bands that made us want to pursue music, but it includes anything and everything from every genre imaginable.”
Second on the EP is “Abrasive”, and the name certainly fits the title. “F**k you, for what you put me through,” is the lyric that exemplifies the message of this track, perfectly complimenting the edgier, sonic fusion of pop-punk and metalcore. Each track on the EP takes on its own message, but this song in particular fits with the overall theme of the EP in dealing with the ups and downs of adulthood. “We talk about going through and coming out the other side of unexpected hardships, cutting ties with people and the fallout that ensues, and overall just trying to keep your head on straight when life has twists and turns,” says Gresko.
Elsewhere, Weigh The Anchor put forth a more accessible pop-punk sound on “Clandestine” - in the realm of the latest Silverstein record, A Beautiful Place To Drown. While this comparison may be biased in itself, given both bands are from the surrounding Toronto area, this is a track that will be added to your summer pop-punk playlist and won’t come off anytime soon. A triumphant, chorus-led conclusion brings a powerful end to this equally-as-powerful song.
Influence from popular Canadian bands can be found laced throughout this EP, and the band admits they were fortunate to be exposed to the local scene in Toronto. “We feel extremely lucky to have grown up and to still live so close to Toronto.” Gresko continues, “It really is the center of the music world in Ontario, and it’s given us so many opportunities to play shows in front of crowds and with other bands that just wouldn’t be possible to do in other parts of Canada. Toronto is a place that still has so many venues that support live music and really make it possible for bands like us to pursue this career.”
Finally, “Discourse” brings this EP to a thought-provoking conclusion. Drawing back the production, Weigh The Anchor put forth a very raw track, in the vein of “Untitled” by Knuckle Puck. There is a lot of familiarity in this song, even if you’re hearing it for the first time - an excellent tactic, as it prompts the feeling of nostalgia, while providing a fresh and modern feel to it. Instead of leaving fans with the notion of “we’re fun, keep listening”, the slower conclusion leaves us with a sense of “we have a lot more to offer, so play it over and keep coming back for more.”
At just four tracks in length, Right At Home is the best representation of Weigh The Anchor as a band, and just a taste of what they have to offer. Although they are hoping to focus on touring in the near future, they are always thinking of what will come next for releases. “[We want to] focus on touring and start crossing off cities that we haven’t played in yet, but that’s partially from feeling a little stir crazy and wanting to get back out there ASAP,” says Gresko. “But we’re always thinking about new music and have new ideas bouncing around. I can’t say we have any immediate plans to start working heavily on new music, but when we get on a roll it doesn’t take us too long to put new songs together. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Be sure to check out Weigh The Anchor’s Right At Home this Friday, July 10th. In the meantime, stream the three singles - “Medicate”, “Abrasive”, and “Clandestine” - released thus far!