By Nicholas Jason Lopez
With an aggressive sound that combines elements of early Green Day and modern acts like Knuckle Puck and Movements, St. Clairsville, Ohio-based punk rock band The Overlooked have worked hard to make sure they’re anything but.
Their latest offering – the 2020 debut full-length ‘No One Cares’ – showcases them at their loudest, fastest and practically demands your attention, armed with hooky riffs that callback to ‘Dookie’ and other punk classics.
Singer Jake Laurine also has an active presence in today’s LGBTQ+ community, as the band believes that people should always strive and be better than who they were yesterday.
The Music Bugle had the opportunity to talk with members Laurine and Joel Porter about ‘No One Cares’ and more.
Music Bugle – How would you say 2021 has been treating you so far?
Jake Laurine – Honestly, pretty well, excluding the fact that we can’t play any shows yet!
Joel Porter – Stressful, to say the least.
Music Bugle – What’s something that you wish happened more in the LGBTQ+ community?
Jake Laurine – Respect and acceptance. I hate seeing people outcasted for who they love and who they are, by their own family, even. I think it’s important that we educate the younger generations to be more accepting. Love is love and if you have a problem with that, then that’s on you. There’s no excuse for ignorance in today’s society.
Music Bugle – If you had to pick three of your favorite albums ever, what would they be?
Jake Laurine – ‘Moving Pictures’ by Rush, ‘Kerplunk!’ by Green Day, ‘Life’s Not Out To Get You’ by Neck Deep and ‘Under Soil And Dirt’ by The Story So Far. I’m sorry, I can never pick between those.
Joel Porter – ‘Insomniac’ ‘by Green Day, ‘Copacetic’ by Knuckle Puck and ‘Clockwork Angels’ by Rush.
Music Bugle – What was it like putting together your debut album ‘No One Cares’?
Joel Porter – It was actually really fun. Being next to my best friend for nearly two-three months in my basement recording it and learning new things along the way is what really made it fun. The enjoyment of recording it definitely outweighed the stress and anxiety we had during it.
Jake Laurine – I remember when we finally finished “Perks Of Being a Nobody,” everyone went home that night and I sat in my chair and listened to it about four or five times and just sitting back and having all the emotions hit at once. I was in absolute tears at the fact that we finally finished recording our album, but also scared of how it was going to be perceived. I always strive to write music that can resonate with someone else on such a deep level, other than myself.
Music Bugle – Have you been working on any new music?
Joel Porter – We have been slightly. We’re in the process of figuring out the direction we want to go in for our next project and what new sounds we wanna incorporate.
Music Bugle – How would you describe St. Clairsville, Ohio to someone who has never been there before?
Joel Porter – Interesting? I’m not sure how to answer that. I’m not really the biggest fan of our hometown, but it has some really beautiful spots to sit and think about lyrics and such.
Music Bugle – Did anything directly inspire the band name?
Jake Laurine – As a kid, I was kind of always “overlooked” in a sense. I was usually the last resort choice for most anything and when we sat down to think of a band name, I suggested “The Overlook” and we clung to that for about a week or so until Joel said, “Hey, let’s add ‘ed’ to the end of that!” and that’s the story. Although, there is a place in a neighboring town called “The Overlook” and so many people think we’re named after that, but I promise that we aren’t.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Jake Laurine – A lot of Movements, Knuckle Puck, Rarity and BROCKHAMPTON, along with my usual rotation of Green Day, Neck Deep, The Story So Far and pretty much any other punk I’m into.
Joel Porter – Mainly early Green Day and a bit of the modern popular pop punk like Knuckle Puck, Rarity and bands that are close to us.
Music Bugle – What has been your most memorable moment while at a show?
Joel Porter – I think for us, it was our first show at Thunderbirds in Moundsville, West Virginia opening for Rarity. It was an eye opener and honestly one of our favorite shows to date. A close second was our last show at Wells Township Haunted House! It’s always fun to play there on their outdoor stage and break a couple strings because of the cold weather.
Music Bugle – Away from music, what’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
Jake Laurine – I stream on Twitch nightly and play a good bit of video games to get me by until I can play a show again!
Joel Porter – I’m a Broadcasting Major who also does videography a good bit!
