After the Calm started from a living room jam session on Memorial Day of 2014.

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to After The Calm? How long has the band been around?

Jonathan Habermacher

“This is my first band actually!”

Logan Miracle

“I was in a band in highschool called For All The Endeavors. This is my second project.”

David Nunez

“This would be my second original music project lol. I’ve been in cover bands so hopefully you understand now with that context.”  

Kody Rattler

“The Grace Notes. We were a lot more blues-rock, but I was just as passionate then!”

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Jonathan Habermacher

“It references the old saying “the calm before the storm” so our name references that we bring the storm. It is our original band name.”

David Nunez

“We bring the storm as corny as that sounds”

Kody Rattler

“It’s been After the Calm since day one! We all came up with multiple ideas, put them together on a white board and used cross elimination to dwindle it down to ATC. We had a few parameters set, such as wanting it to be five syllables or less and starting with the letter ‘A’ (always a plus to be at the top of someone’s music library.)”

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Jonathan Habermacher

“We have a great collaboration for the writing process. Sometimes our singer will bring lyrics or our guitarists will bring riffs. After that we just start messing around with each other and coming up with stuff. The majority of them are about people in our lives and the experiences we have been through. I hope that they evolve with us as we grow and change as people. There already has been a great progression since we started a few years ago.”

Logan Miracle

“We all work together collectively as a group on our music.”

David Nunez

“We just play what we feel at the time, Logan writes to present and past experiences. We may dabble into the future but we don’t really set up a topic before we start writing.”

Kody Rattler

“We write the music together, typically bits and pieces of the song until it comes together. Lyrics usually come after the song is written, though we usually have a topic in mind so that the vibe matches across the board.”

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Jonathan Habermacher

“Recently I have been just studying and listening to any big bands that we get the chance to play with and see if there is something I hear in their songs that I think would sound good if we did it.”

Logan Miracle

“I'd say The Story So Far or Knuckle Puck.”

David Nunez

“Thrice is a major current influence on chord ideas. But in terms of style I’m kind of everywhere because I listen to a lot of genres of music”  

Kody Rattler

“I personally love the newest The Story So Far album. It’s a lot different than their previous stuff, though its always top notch.”

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Jonathan Habermacher

“System of a Down is my favorite band and has always made me love music which is why I eventually wanted to play.”

David Nunez

“Blink 182’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket Tour was my first show and that’s when I knew I wanted to start a band”

Logan Miracle

“I'd say Blink-182 or Good Charlotte.”

Kody Rattler

“Probably Blink-182 in the beginning. They were just THE band.”

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Jonathan Habermacher

“Definitely stretching since I like to jump around but nothing special really. I just like to relax and stay calm.”

Logan Miracle

“I really just get myself excited and pumped up so I can have lots of energy for the show.”

David Nunez

“If there is a part I’m not confident on then I’ll play it so it’s stuck in my head”

Kody Rattler

“Stretches are definitely recommended, I do them just before hitting the stage.”

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Jonathan Habermacher

“We recently played Vans Warped Tour in June and was such an amazing experience.”

Logan Miracle

“I think playing Warped Tour. It's been a dream for a lot of us.”

David Nunez

“I’m sure everyone's going to say Warped Tour. Even saying it out loud still blows my mind.”

Kody Rattler

“Warped Tour was surreal; it’s a shame it’s over just as we were able to play it, but I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity.”

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Jonathan Habermacher

“I would love to tour with Incubus, Assuming We Survive, or Every Time I Die. They all just have amazing songs and really good on stage presence.”

Logan Miracle

“A Day To Remember, Foo Fighters”

David Nunez

“Foo Fighters, Thrice, and Muse. Muse shows are next level.”

Kody Rattler

“At this point I’d just like to tour. We have a few friends that would be awesome to tour with such as RIVALS and Waking Things.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jonathan Habermacher

“Thank you so much for interviewing us!”

David Nunez

“Thank you for having us and we hope 2018 was as good to you as it has been to us.”

Kody Rattler

“Life’s a garden; dig it.” -Joe Dirt