Unsigned Spotlight: STFLR
Since their formation in the fall of 2019, STFLR started out more as therapy than a band of lifelong friends. With the launch of their debut EP, 'Flaccid and Unused' the young Long Island trio found the release they were looking for, and stepped up their plans and recruitment.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Nick- Vocals, Yianni- Guitar, Ant- Guitar, Mike- Bass, Angelo Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to STFLR? How long has the band been around?
Nick, Yianni, Mike and myself (Ant) were in a several hardcore punk bands prior to STFLR. Get it Right, Heathen, Stand As Iron to name a few. STFLR has only been around for 2 years, but the group playing music together has been around since 2008.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The origin of the band name came from Nick and Yianni. One day while working out the initial vision of the band we came up with calling it Stifler (Yes, the American Pie character haha) but we wanted to make it different and more punk, so STFLR came about.
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?
Collectively we write as a band. Yianni and I have in home studios that we lay down riffs or demos, but majority of the time its songs taken from riffs or ideas in our heads and working them out as a group. More cooks in the kitchen is better in song writing in my opinion.
Most of our themes are real world topics. Our first EP was just a taste of what lyrically Nick can do, our latest EP lyrically is the best we’ve put out. I think this band will mould to what the times are. Some of us are Dads, some of us have relationships or past experiences common with a lot of people, and what’s happening in this world and dealing with it, translates into our songs.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
I know our sound draws from 90’s pop punk musically, but some of us have influences ranging from Madball and hardcore band alike to modern pop.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Well I don’t want to speak for the band collectively here, but when I picked up the guitar to learn I knew one of the goals I wanted out of doing so was to play onstage with a band. See others I knew locally do it, why couldn’t I?
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
As a band we have an affinity to spiked seltzers, predominantly White Claws. So, we usually drink some of those while in a huddle right before we go on stage. Sometimes we eat at a place right near the venue, right before we play and the regret doing so afterwards cause we probably shouldn’t have ate that whole pizza pie in 20 minutes.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
I’d say the biggest highlight of this band thus far is the reaction of the new EP and the process of getting it developed. We have been playing in bands for nearly 14 years and this is the proudest and most appreciated band to date.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Blink-182, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, New Found Glory and H20 would be a dream show with us headlining haha.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
STLFR, ‘A Collection of Bad Ideas’ out now on all streaming platforms. If you want some pop punk nostalgia, mixed with relatable lyrics that hit close to home purposefully, then do so.