Formed in February 2016, Greensboro, North Carolina based outfit Come Clean are back, with their with high energy brand of pop-punk. With fast melodic leads accompanied by heavier tones, Come Clean merges the older nostalgic brand of pop-punk with a more modern style of songwriting and lyrical content.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Rob Hendley- guitar/vocals, Zac Gardner- bass/vocals, Dallas Hunt- drums

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

Before Come Clean, Zac lived in Atlanta and sang in a pop-punk band called A Ways Away. Dallas played drums for a metal band called Forerunner. Rob was more of a “jam at home” kind of guy, he didn’t really belong to any band. The band was formed in February 2016 and has been together for over 2 years now. 

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

The name comes from the song, Come Clean, by the band Trophy Eyes, who are a huge inspiration to us. We have never changed the name, we have only ever been Come Clean. 

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?

The themes and topics are definitely shifting in another direction as life changes. I (Rob) write most of the songs. I kind of write about life as it goes and experiences and advice from along the way. A lot of what i used to write about stemmed from being unhappy and feeling unloved and alone. I felt trapped in a relationship that wasn't working.

I wrote lot out of and about frustration I dealt with during this time and my goal there I guess was to kind of present this relatable set of songs and use the loneliness i felt to try to help others feel less lonely in those times.

Our next collection of songs will be out in September and deals more with coping and coming to terms with how things are, separating from those things, and appreciating your friends. With this EP I’m trying to convey that those feelings from Won’t Wait don’t last forever, that tough times will pass and you should be thankful for the people in your life who are looking out for and care for you.

Looking forward, I’ve been writing a lot of more uplifting themed songs focused on the love and friendship I share with my girlfriend and friends. The next release plans to focus more on the happier times I’m currently living and will serve and an example that things will always get better. 

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

Right now I’ve been listening to alot of Columbus, The Story So Far and Trophy Eyes. 

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

There was a period of time in my life after highschool where I (Rob) had given up on music. I always credited it to thinking I was too old or never met the right people instead of that I had just never applied myself. That all changed in 2015 when i saw Trophy Eyes, a band I had never heard of, play Warped Tour. I can’t really explain it but John said “We’re really far from home and we’re really broke. ” and I knew then I wanted to try to persue music. I went home that same night, got with some friends and started jamming in their garage. Aside from that I have always been inspired to play by bands like Blink-182, Neck Deep, Knuckle Puck, Fall Out Boy, etc.

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

I (Rob) like to drink milk before if i can. It helps create alot of thick saliva i use when i sing. Besides that we just kind of all hangout, maybe around the merch table. Dallas is going to want to play on his practice pad before the set and Zac is going to want a cigarette. 

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

We’ve done some cool things over the past couple years, some of our favorites include opening shows for Have Mercy, Forever Came Calling, In Her Own Words, Hold Close, and Kississippi and touring around the southeast US with our friends. 

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

I’d like to tour with The Story So Far. I’d like to get the chance to sit with Parker and talk about his music with him in a more personal setting. He seems like a cool guy to chill with. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Come say “Hey” at a show! We have Mario Kart 64 at the merch table and if you can beat our merch guy, Jr., at it you win a free CD!