How Cascade Riot's Fusion of Melodic Rock and Punk Influences Shaped Their Unique Sound

Cascade Riot, a band known for its unique blend of melodic rock and punk influences, has carved a distinctive niche in the music industry. This article delves into their journey, highlighting key influences, challenges, and their evolution over the years.

Musical Influences: A Mix of Generations

The band's sound is heavily influenced by a mix of 90s and early 2000s punk, pop-punk, and alternative bands like Green Day, Foo Fighters, NOFX, and blink-182, along with a love for classic rock from the 60s and 70s. This eclectic mix has been instrumental in crafting their melodic yet energetic rock style.

Origins: The Middle School Bond

Cascade Riot's roots trace back to the middle school friendship between Ryan and Adam. Their early collaborations and the addition of Adam’s brother Al eventually led to the formation of Cascade Riot, highlighting the significance of long-term friendships in the band's genesis.

Early Challenges and Reformation

Initially, the band struggled with a lack of resources and direction, leading to a cycle of short-lived formations and breaks. However, in 2015, the band members reunited with a more mature outlook, marking the official beginning of Cascade Riot.

Creative Process: Unconventional Rehearsals

Their first EP, “Code Red,” was a product of unique rehearsal sessions in an outdoor storage unit. The unusual setting contributed to the EP’s distinct sound, reflecting the band's adaptive and creative spirit.

Hiatus and Impact

A hiatus in 2016, driven by personal life changes, led to a temporary disbandment. This period was crucial for the members, both personally and professionally, as it allowed them to grow individually and reassess their commitment to the band.

Reunion and Renewed Energy

The band reunited in 2022 with a rejuvenated spirit. The release of their comeback single “Hypnotized” received a positive reception, encouraging the band to continue their musical journey.

The Success of “Page Not Found”

The EP “Page Not Found” released in 2023, played a pivotal role in re-establishing the band and shaping their future direction, reinforcing their commitment to their music.

Memorable Moments and Expanding the Band

Post-comeback, the band enjoyed moments like being featured in podcasts and opening for major acts. The addition of Nick Maston as a guitarist brought new dynamics and enthusiasm to the group.

Upcoming EP: “Life on Venus”

Their upcoming EP, “Life on Venus,” reflects themes of contemplation and change, signaling the band's continuous evolution. The EP’s creation process, slightly altered by Nick’s addition, marks a new chapter for Cascade Riot. The release date is set for January 30th, 2024.

Significant Tracks and Evolution

Songs like “I Don’t Want to Fall Asleep” and “Chasing Stars” from the new EP hold special significance, symbolizing the band's new era and their willingness to explore different musical territories.

 

Looking ahead, Cascade Riot aims to broaden their reach and balance their music career with personal commitments. Their journey sends a powerful message to fans and aspiring musicians: it's never too late to pursue or reignite your passion.

Cascade Riot’s story is one of resilience, evolution, and the enduring power of friendship, set against a backdrop of a unique blend of musical styles. Their journey from a middle school friendship to a band with a distinctive sound and dedicated fanbase is an inspiring tale for anyone who believes in the transformative power of music.

Interview with Cascade Riot

Ryan Failla - Vocals/Guitar
Nick Maston - Guitar
Adam Brady - Bass
Alex Brady - Drums

How did the unique blend of melodic rock and punk influences shape the sound of Cascade Riot?

We pull from a lot of influences but we have always been drawn to melody. We love energetic rock songs that you can hum and that informs pretty much everything we do. 

Can you share some of the key musical influences that have inspired the band over the years?

Green Day, Foo Fighters, NOFX, blink-182… those are some big ones. All bands we grew up on. A lot of 90s/early 2000s punk, pop-punk, and alternative. We are also all pretty big fans of classic rock from the 60s and 70s.

How did the middle school friendship between Ryan and Adam contribute to the formation of Cascade Riot?

Ryan and Adam first met in 6th grade. They played in various bands together before ultimately forming a trio with Adam’s younger brother Al. That was the lineup that would go on to make up Cascade Riot years later so there is a direct link between that initial friendship and the formation of the band. 

What were the main challenges you faced during the initial phase of the band, and how did you overcome them?

At that time our biggest challenge was how young we were and a lack of resources. We really had no idea what we were doing. We would get together, play for a few months, and break up. It was like a cycle. We were young and dumb and didn’t even know where to start. We also weren’t mature enough to figure out how to make things work as far as managing personalities and other things that come along with the relationship part of being in a band. We just kinda grew apart after high school. 

Adam and Al played together in a different band for a period of time but Ryan was out of the game for a while. In 2015, we all started talking about making something happen and we wound up getting back together and taking a crack at things as an actual band. We consider 2015 to be the actual birth year of Cascade Riot. 

How did the outdoor storage unit rehearsals influence the creative process for your first EP, “Code Red”?

Code Red was interesting because it was the first time we recorded together as adults. We didn’t really have anywhere to practice so we rented a storage unit. The natural acoustics of the place sounded surprisingly better than you might assume. Ryan brought in a batch of songs and we just hammered them out in the unit. We recorded the EP in there as well. It’s really the sound of childhood friends coming back together as adults and taking a crack at things. 

What led to the hiatus in 2016, and how did it impact the members personally and professionally?

We found ourselves at a crossroad back when we were teenagers and now here we were finding ourselves at yet another crossroad as adults. We were just being pulled in different directions in our personal lives which made things difficult and we still hadn’t fully figured out how to manage the relationship aspect of being in a band. It just kinda fizzled out. There were no hard feelings and I think there was a sense that we might play together again one day but it also wasn’t a certainty. Al moved from Michigan to Ohio at one point and that made the prospects of things happening even more difficult. It just wasn’t the right time. 

Can you describe the journey and emotions involved in reuniting Cascade Riot in 2022?

Over the years we all kept in touch and talked about possibly getting back together at various points but we could just never find a way to make it work. Al will be the first to tell you how pestering Ryan could be at times. Finally, things just started falling into place. Al moved back to Michigan, the talks of something happening intensified, and it just sort of happened. We all came in with a renewed sense of motivation but also just a lot of appreciation for each other and the fact that after all this time, we could still play music together. 

What was the inspiration behind the comeback single “Hypnotized,” and how did it feel to receive such a positive reception?

That was actually a song we had been kicking around back in 2015. We had always liked it so we decided to record it and put it out because it felt like unfinished business. In a way it symbolized picking up where we left off. We weren’t sure what to expect when we released it. We really had no expectations. But some people actually started to latch onto it and it just made us want to keep going that much more. It felt good that anyone cared.

How did the success of the “Page Not Found” EP in 2023 influence the band's direction and ambitions?

Page Not Found was important to us because it was our first full release since coming back together. We’d released a few singles before then but this was the first collection of material and . It established in our minds that we were actually back but also solidified that we didn’t want to stop.  

What were some memorable moments from the shows and podcasts that featured your music after your comeback?

It was a crazy feeling to go from not knowing if anyone was going to listen to us or care to having a song featured on a podcast hosted by Chris DeMakes from Less Than Jake. We just kept taking baby steps and slowly more things just started happening. The craziest was being asked to open for Billy Talent. We didn’t see that coming and it was the largest show we’d ever played at that point (still is at the time of this interview!)

How did the decision to add Nick Maston as a guitarist come about, and what has he brought to the band’s dynamic?

We had toyed with the idea of adding another guitarist at various points over the years but we were afraid of altering the chemistry, so to speak. It had always just been the three of us, and I think we romanticized that a little bit. Finally, we just realized it would be nice to have another guitarist to help fill out the songs live more and play the parts that Ryan would have to omit live.

Adam and Al had known Nick for years and even played with him briefly in a project they were apart of when they weren’t playing with Ryan at one point. Nick is also a photographer and when we were asked to open for Billy Talent last year, we asked him to come take some pictures for us. When we were hanging out with him before and after the show, it just felt like he was part of the band. It wasn’t long after that that we asked him to join.

He brings a ton of enthusiasm to the band and is exactly what we were looking for in a guitarist. From the very first time we played with him everything just clicked. 

Can you give us a sneak peek into the creative process behind your upcoming EP “Life on Venus”?

We started working on Life on Venus in the summer of 2023 not all that long after Page Not Found was released. We had more songs ready to go and were eager to just keep things moving. “P.N.C” was the first song we started recording. “I Don’t Want to Fall Asleep” was the second song we laid down and after Ryan laid down the lead part at the end, there was immediately talk of how we were going to approach it live. The seeds for Nick joining the band were probably planted during that session. We just slowly chipped away at things and finished up in the Fall. 

What themes and stories can fans expect to hear in the "Life on Venus" EP, and how do they reflect the band's growth?

If there’s a theme it’s probably along the lines of trying to figure out a way to pull yourself out of a current situation. A lot of searching and contemplating.

How did the process of creating "Life on Venus" differ from your previous works, especially with the addition of a new band member?

The process itself was largely similar to what we had done in the past. Nick actually joined the band just as we were wrapping up recording. He plays acoustic guitar on “Chasing Stars” and sings some vocals on “Wall”. He was present for some last minute editing though and having a fourth opinion  for certain things was new and welcome. 

Are there any specific tracks on the "Life on Venus" EP that hold special significance to the band, and could you share the inspiration behind them?

“I Don’t Want to Fall Asleep” was the first song we wanted to release ever since we started recording. We just knew right off the bat that we wanted that to be the initial statement. We made a video for it right after Nick joined the band and I think we will always remember that song as representing the beginning of our new era with him.

“Chasing Stars” was also interesting because it was the first time we had ever really put out a song like that. Not that it was a crazy departure, but it was a little slower and had a little more texture and vulnerability.

We love all of the songs on the EP for different reasons. 

How has the band evolved musically and personally since its formation in 2015?

We feel like we have finally figured out how to make this work. We know how to interact with each other. Relationship-wise, we are in the best place we have ever been. Musically, we’re really doing the same thing we’ve done since we were kids except we’d like to think we’ve gotten a little better at it.

What are Cascade Riot’s plans for the future, in terms of touring, new music, and collaborations?

We want to just try and get “Life on Venus” in front of as many people as possible after it comes out and play as much as possible. Because we all work full time and have other personal commitments, it can be a bit of a balancing act at times but we want to take things as far as we can take them. There’s a lot we would like to do and if it’s the right opportunity and we can find a way to make it work, we are down for anything. 

Finally, what message do you want to convey to your fans and aspiring musicians through your journey and music?

It’s never too late to start or to start again. If you love what you’re doing, never stop doing it.

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