Interview: Chaser

We had the exciting opportunity to sit down with Jesse Stopnitzky, the talented bass player of the Southern California skatepunk band Chaser. In this exclusive interview, we dive into the creation of their new album, exploring the inspiration and themes that shaped its sound. Jesse provides insights into the band’s songwriting and recording process, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how their powerful and energetic tracks come to life. Enjoy!

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The title of your album, “Small Victories,” is very evocative. Can you talk more about why you chose this title and what it represents for the band?

Small wins can add up. There’s definitely a cumulative effect. It’s just a concept we all really believe in. 

The cover art for “Small Victories” is quite striking. How did you collaborate with Sebas Theriault, and what was the process like in creating the album art?

Just sharing ideas back and forth until we come up with something we like. And mostly just listen to Sebas, he’s the expert 😉

What do you hope listeners take away from “The Breaks” and your other songs in terms of their personal outlook on life and challenges?

Sometimes things don’t quite go the way you want but you have to persevere. Stay resilient. Things will get better. 

“The Breaks” has an inspiring message about resilience. Can you share the story behind the song and what it means to each of you personally?

No real story behind it, just a human experience I think we all can relate to.

“Fault Lines” addresses specific themes. Can you delve into the inspiration behind this track and the message you wanted to convey?

None of us are perfect. We all stumble. But we also can and should work on ourselves. Try to be a better person. 

“Stay Gold” seems to evoke a sense of nostalgia and encouragement. What was the creative process like for this single, and how do you think it connects with your audience?

This song is a tribute to our close friend Curtis Gold, who recently passed away. More broadly, it’s a song about the grieving process when you lose someone close to you and trying to move forward the best you can.

Your music is described as upbeat skate punk with catchy melodies. How do you balance the energetic punk sound with meaningful and positive lyrics?

You can do both! It just comes naturally to us I suppose. What you see is what you get:)

Cameron Webb has worked with some iconic punk bands. What was it like working with him on these singles, and how did he influence the album’s production?

It was nothing short of amazing. Working with Cameron made us a better band. 

CHASER has been a part of the SoCal punk scene for a long time. How has the local scene shaped your music and your identity as a band?

Orange County has such a rich history with punk rock. Many of the early bands made us want to pick up instruments. I suppose we just want to represent best we can and make OC proud. 

Your lyrics often focus on themes of personal struggle and triumph. How do you approach songwriting to ensure these themes resonate with your audience?

It just comes natural to us. These themes resonate with both us and the listener. 

Being a band of close friends must have its advantages and challenges. How does your friendship influence your music and the way you work together?

It definitely is a real benefit. We actually agree on most things, but even when we disagree, we always compromise and do what’s best for the band. We always have each other’s backs. 

With the punk rock genre often associated with rebellion and angst, how do you incorporate a positive mental attitude into your music without losing that edge?

I suppose we just be ourselves. We don’t try to be tough or edgy or anything. Just true to who we are. That’s the most punk thing you can do in my opinion. No rules. No handbook. We just write and perform the way we want and the best we know how. 

What do you hope listeners take away from “The Breaks” and your other songs in terms of their personal outlook on life and challenges?

Keep moving forward. Work on yourself. Be kind. Help others. Live the best life you can. 

Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music that CHASER fans can look forward to?

Just as much touring as we can to support the new record. 

As musicians who have been part of the punk scene for years, what changes have you observed in the genre, and where do you see punk rock heading in the future?

The future is bright for punk rock music. Lots of great bands. Seeing more young people at shows so the next generation is strong and ready to take over when we all retire ha.

You’ve been touring internationally for the last five years. Can you share some memorable experiences from your tours, especially from the punk festivals in Europe and Canada?

Hard to identify a specific experience. There’s been so many. I’d say consistently playing with so many bands we grew up idolizing is still a little surreal. 

Live shows are a big part of your reputation. What do you think makes a CHASER live performance stand out from others in the punk scene?

We love to bring the crowd into the show as much as possible. Make it a memorable experience for the audience. We want them to have the absolute best time at the Chaser show so we really focus on that.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring punk bands who look up to you and hope to make their mark in the music industry?

Just be yourself. And practice. A lot. Work hard on your song writing and live show. But mostly, just have fun.