Today we speak to American pop-punk duo Black It Out who shares their journey to becoming an E-band.
Band Name: Black It Out
Members: Shaun Zizi (Lead vocals) and Bryan Underwood (Vocals, guitar & bass)
Genre: Pop-Punk/Easycore/Emo/Post-Hardcore
Founded: 2005
Originated From: Sacramento, California, United States
Discography: I’ll Bring the Gun, You Bring the Bullet (EP, 2006), Trapped in a Sea of Emotion (EP, 2009), High Heels & Dangerous Streets (Single, 2018), Resurgence (Album, 2019), Halloween (Misfits Cover) Single 2019, Merry Christmas, Don’t Get Me Anything Single 2019, One Street Away (Single, 2020), She’ll Be Alright (Single, 2020), If Looks Could Kill (EP, 2021), The War On Christmas (Single, 2021), Reflections featuring Promise Game (Single, 2022), Live, Laugh, Love featuring Anndy Negative (Single, 2022) and There’s Not Enough Penicillin in the World to Save You featuring All Systems Go (Single, 2022).
How would you describe your music?
We would say we’re a blend of several musical genres. We’re a mix of pop-punk, easycore, post-hardcore, and emo. Our song Live, Laugh, Love featuring Anndy Negative sums up our sound perfectly.
It has breakdowns – pop-punk and emo vocals and easycore riffs. Our latest track, There’s Not Enough Penicillin in the World to Save You, featuring All Systems Go, leans more on our pop-punk side.
What is your musical creative process like?
We email each other our ideas and hash them out. We call and email each other, then rerecord the part with our discussed changes until we have a track we’re happy with.
We both write the songs. Lately, Bryan has been writing the music and having Shaun write the melody. That’s going to change in the future.
How did the band form?
Shaun met Bryan through a mutual friend in the Sacramento scene. Both Shaun’s friend and Bryan were in that band together. Shaun would go to their shows and hang out with them. He got to know the band pretty well.
So, when their bassist’s amp didn’t work, Shaun let them use his. Later, that bassist moved, and Shaun joined the band as their bassist.
Their drummer wanted their old bassist even though he moved away, so he made things difficult, ultimately destroying that band.
Bryan and Shaun continued to jam until the other members of Black It Out joined. We were called Scarlet’s Sonata at the time and started as a Hardcore band. In 2009, we changed our name to Black It Out.
We went on an eight-year hiatus, played in other bands, and now, we’re back as an internet band. We’re an E-band that focuses on studio recordings. Our sound has changed a lot over the years.
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s a line from one of our older songs. Black It Out came from the song’s meaning, people pretending something never happened or someone never entered their life. More like how when reports are requested using the freedom of information act in the United States, the reports on UFOs and UAPs are all blacked out.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
Our influences vary. It all depends on the songs we’re working on. We’ve been influenced by Blink-182, Sum 41, A Day to Remember and Senses Fail.
Right now, we’re working on finding ourselves. Our subsequent few releases will be from our old style, but we’ll change how we write soon.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We’re more of an E-Band now, so we haven’t played much lately. When we did play, we used to love the stage at the Boardwalk.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
That some people want to listen to our music it’s great! We appreciate those people!
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
Other musicians without a work ethic. Other musicians who are flakes. They tend to make things difficult.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
We just released There Isn’t Enough Penicillin to Save You, featuring All Systems Go. Right now, we’re working on a new track and we have plans to re-release some of our older tracks. We might even do a Christmas song! We have many projects! Next year, we’re going to re-imagine a track we did before.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
To have a cult following. To make enough money from music to live a wealthy lifestyle.
You can follow Black It Out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021.
