Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Luke - Songwriting, Vocals
Chance - Guitar
Curtis - Guitar
Austin - Bass
Rhys - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to tardigrade? How long has the band been around?
I (Luke) was in a pop punk band called Highway Signs for a while. Curtis and Austin are also in a hardcore band called Booth and Chance is in an indie band called Harmony Woods. Tardigrade is brand new. We released our first song back in February and we're currently releasing our second single. We're working on our first few shows and an EP we want to release in May or June.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
I actually got the band name when I was watching the Neil Degrasse Tyson remake of Cosmos. There was a bit about this cool microscopic animal species called tardigrades that can live basically in any environment. They've survived all the mass extinction events in the Earth's history. I just saw that and thought it was badass and said yup, that's the band name.
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?
Both of the songs so far were written by me with the help of my brother, Craig Mills, as the producer. I wrote the songs and then came to the other guys asking if they'd fill out the band for live shows. Since then, Chance has been helping me with the new songs we're writing. All of the songs so far are very politically charged. The first one was about how partisanship and division in the government ruining productive conversation and the second one is about how I view anti-immigration laws as racist attacks on other cultures. The songs will definitely continue to be politically motivated but we'll have to see what direction the country's politics move to see exactly what the topics will be.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
The biggest influence by far is Title Fight. Specifically the Shed and Floral Green albums. I'm really interested in making that sort of modern dark grunge influenced punk stuff. I've also been listening to a lot of Touché Amoré recently so that's definitely influencing the songs too. I'm also looking to have some heavier songs with slight influence from Beartooth and some faster songs with influence from Knuckle Puck.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I'd have to say that every time I see The Wonder Years play, I'm so excited by the energy. I think that's what motivates me to make music because I love the energy it incites in people.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We haven't gotten to play a show as Tardigrade yet so I'm not sure yet haha. Look out for Tardigrade on some shows in Philly in April and May!
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Probably the release of our first single. We got such a good response for debuting a band with one song. We're almost at 1000 plays on YouTube, which I think is pretty good for a band no one's ever heard of that's only been around for a month.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Going back to the energy I mentioned, I think I would have to say The Wonder Years. It would be such an inspiration to learn how they bring that every single night.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements from Darth Fader Records. If you like what Tardigrade is doing, you'll love what the label has coming out in the next few months!