StrateJacket, the nimble and punky alt-rock trio from California’s Bay Area, has had to learn the hard way that good things come to those who wait.
Formed in 2019, they quickly found themselves stuck in the middle of a pandemic, stunting the band’s career before it even started. Singer/guitarist, Jackson Roemers, bassist, Fabian Angel, and drummer Nate Mangold were not ones to give up easily.
This youthful band of early twenty-somethings honed their craft and found their catchy, fast, and energetic sound in merging their individual influences. Acts ranging from The Beatles and Arctic Monkeys to Led Zeppelin and Blink-182 were among their favorites.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
Fabian Angel: My favorite thing about being an artist is getting to meet talented individuals everywhere I go. Whether it’s recording a music video meeting, meeting sound engineers and producers, or other musicians. They all have amazing stories and they’re also kind. Being surrounded by motivated people only makes you more motivated. I’ll never forget the friendships I’ve made along the way. Shout out to everyone I’ve had a conversation with along this crazy journey. <3
What would I be if I wasn’t playing music?
Jackson Roemers: First of all, sorely depressed. Playing music is all I’ve thought about, day in day out, for as long as I can remember. That being said, I studied film in college for two years because I had a stage fright issue. I still wanted an artistic outlet in life even if it was not music, so I think I would try to be a filmmaker. Perhaps a documentary filmmaker.
When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
Nate Mangold: My biggest goal writing music is to like it later. I know that a lot of musicians have this thing where they like it in the moment or right when they finish. Then the next day you listen to it and it sucks. I have a problem with liking my own stuff sometimes so that’s a goal I have to change.
Q. What is your favorite song to perform?
Nate Mangold: A song that’s my favorite to perform is not out yet, but it’s probably “End of Time.” It’s more challenging depending on where it is in the set list because it tires me out a lot. If we play it towards the beginning, it goes way smoother. It’s just a really fun, fast song to play.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Fabian Angel: I’m quite a big fan of Elton John, not only is his music so inspiring with the experimental sounds he chooses, but all the hardships he had to endure helps me as a musician to keep moving forward. There’s not really a rule book or a manual on how to deal with certain situations, and seeing that he was able to keep moving forward through a lot of hard times and still create amazing music helps push me to become the best musician I can possibly be.
What are your favorite venues?
Jackson Roemers: The Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma, CA is amazing. We’ve been playing there on a semiregular basis for the last year and a half or so, and it’s always the most fun. It’s run by scene veteran Tom Gaffey who we have a good relationship with. This guy has seen it all. The venue doubles as an indoor skate park which is super rad and the people who come to the shows are always very supportive of the groups. Bottom Of The Hill is also a fantastic venue and run by great people. I also of course have to mention 924 Gilman St. a venue we have played very often and have fond memories of.
What was the last song you recorded?
Jackson Roemers: I suppose we’re constantly recording songs on phones and laptops. The last song we recorded in a studio was at East Iris in Nashville, where we laid down a cover of Folsom Prison Blues because we had some extra studio time at the end of the session.
Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?
Nate Mangold: I do have a lucky pair of underwear I try to wear to most of our gigs. I just saw it in Stuart Little and I thought that it would actually work. And since I’ve been using it for so long now, I honestly think it works.
What would I say to a younger version of myself?
Jackson Roemers: This is actually tough because I don’t want to end up anywhere else other than where I am, but I suppose I’d tell him to not worry about what other people think so much. You can’t achieve the stuff that you want to achieve in life if you constantly care so much about what people think of you.
What makes you nostalgic?
Nate Mangold: I really watch too many of these TikTok nostalgia videos showing pictures of old snacks or toys from the early 2000s. With some music that’s all grainy and ominous. And it destroys me every time. So that definitely fuels my nostalgia, daily.
Which fictional character do you wish was real?
Fabian Angel: Homelander and Omni man, haha I’m just kidding :3. It’ll be pretty cool to have a real life Spider-Man. Who doesn’t love spiderman!!? He saves lives, super cool, a symbol of hope! I wish he was real, cause you know, he’s not. Spider-Man definitely DEFINITELY does not exist. He is definitely not the bassist in the band StrateJacket. I swear.
If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
Jackson Roemers: “Are we good?”
What would be a good theme song for your life?
Fabian Angel: “Ghost Train” by The Swanks is such a cool track for a theme song, haha. Maybe something jazz related too. I like to listen to a lot of jazz when I’m going on walks, probably something by Wes Montgomery or Kenny Burrell.
Filmed at East Iris Studios in Nashville. Debut single from San Francisco Alternative Rock band StrateJacket! Born amidst a global pandemic, Jackson, Nate, and Fabian of StrateJacket decided that staying together, bringing life into music, and having as much fun as possible was not only a good decision, but a necessary one. Drawing inspiration from the 90s and naughties rock, StrateJacket writes songs for the world and welcomes anyone in on the joke.
Stream Bad Start https://stratejacket.lnk.to/BadStart
https://www.stratejacketband.com/
