Worst Behavior

My first time seeing Worst Behavior was at the Glare EP release show. It was on April 1st and the amount of times I fell for an April Fools joke was one too many that day. Then Worst Behavior mentions it was gonna be their last show ever and I wasn't prepared for that which wasn't true. It was the 4th local band that got me good that day. Besides that moment they were wild ; most certainly on their worst behavior. I even saw someone run up the stage and dive into the crowd while they were playing, but it didn't go so well. The Worst Behavior show was literally an experience that I won't forget. Worst Behavior is a band you really need to experience for sure if you haven't. This week's feature is Worst Behavior @worstbehaviortx

Now let's meet the band! We have,

Mando - Vocalist. Danny - Guitar, Cesar - Guitar. Cris - Bass. Carl -Drums Asking them on what they've been enjoying as of recently they say

"Mortality Rate, Paper Cut, Death Threat, Tribal Gaze" Looking these bands I noticed one of them was from Texas and that was Tribal Gaze. Thank for the new music recommendations! They continue by giving out some shout-outs as they say "shout-out to Valley Texas Hardcore, our friends in Glare, Realms of Death, Barbarian. And Everyone that's ever supported us."

We begin by asking if they could explain what Worst Behavior is as an entity? How would they describe Worst Behavior to someone who hasn't listened to their music? "Worst Behavior is a collective of friends that enjoy making music together. we play hardcore music with thrash metal leanings, we take inspiration from bands like Power Trip, Iron Age, and Slayer." To someone like me I didn't know what was Valley Texas Hardcore was until PuroTigersBlood would mention it and be like "Oh hell yeah! Valley Texas Hardcore!" Especially when I brought up Riff Valley Tacos during a conversation once. Then that brings us to another question which is, What is Valley Texas Hardcore? From the information I was able to gather it was established in 2005 and of course from the tip of Texas. It certainly is a collective of friend's that enjoy making music. For example we have Worst Behavior. Listen to their music and see them live and you'll understand.

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How did the band meet and decide to come together to form the band? How has the experience been? "Mando and Danny took classes at STC together, they started Worst Behavior along with our first drummer Brian. Mando Who I've known since high school(Cris) , asked me to join after their first show. I had never met Brian or Danny prior but we all clicked and played as a four piece for couple years. Cesar, who had played in several bands before Worst (Surmount, Forced Life) had just gotten off another project and we asked him if he wanted to join us as a second guitar player. Carl joined us last year on drums. Since we've all gotten together it's been a great experience and we've been going stronger than ever. Playing with these dudes is an experience I wouldn't trade for the world." I can tell it's been an experience! The way Worst Behavior sets off the crowd and just fills them with energy. I mean seeing in it person there's something about this group that makes people go off for sure. Whether it's the music or even the sense of being comfortable in an environment with others who enjoy the same thing. I have some friend's in the band Monodyssey and they've been playing since I was in middle school. They were a grade above me and they're really enjoying it. It's cool to see high school and college bands just keep going and to know about the bond that form.

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Do they remember the first show they've played compared to their most recent? How were they and what can they say about them as they mention " (Cris) I wasn't in the band at the time but I went to the first worst show. It was a benefit show at the thirsty monkey and the bill was Reinforce, Dispirit(Glare), I joined shortly after and played the next show with the guys, and that one didn't go as well haha. The last show we played was a benefit show outside of Austin in July. With Barbarian, History Repeats, Urn, Life Cycles, Strange Joy, Future Shock, and Ill Informed. and it was a great show, had a great crowd response and we have a lot of fun performing together." Okay hold up! A show at the Thirsty Monkey? The bar!? I've only ever seen videos and sometimes I still can't believe that Thirsty Monkey held bands at their spot. Sorry I just find it really interesting to learn about what spots were being used for shows along with the bands. I've also heard about Dispirit from Glare and a couple of other people. Along with the sound they would play as Dispirit, it's all really interesting to learn these things. From Thirsty Monkey to being on a packed benefit show set list that's pretty good! Well there's gonna be plenty of other shows that's for sure!

When it comes to Worst Behavior how does it feel to see people on their "Worst Behavior" at shows? From the moshing to the waves created by what you release onto the crowd as he says "(Cris)It's our favorite thing. I love seeing people act up when we play. I feel like we give some of the best energy when we play and I think it reflects on how the crowd acts" I'd say that it's fun! Even at times just to release some energy as well. I remember seeing someone shaking their table while Worst Behavior was playing and I was thinking to myself like damn dude you're gonna drop all your beers, but it's certainly about being in the moment. Once the start of the 30min set begin you know what to do! Just fucking goooo!

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Do they have any favorite tracks they really enjoy playing live? If so, which ones and why as they say "(Cris) MY favorite song to play live would have to be Reasons Why and Final Breath. Reasons why has a great groove and I love the pace, and the breakdown at the end just everyone going. its great to see the reaction from the crowd when that breakdown starts. Final breath is a great pass song that's fun to play and Cesar's solo on the song is so clean I love hearing it live." Who doesn't love a good breakdown? When I saw Worst Behavior on April 1st besides listening to the music I always noticing the reactions and what the groups in the middle were doing as well. As a band it's cool that they're able to create these reactions with their music and energy. I've listening to the songs on the flexi record (which you can get on the worst behavior bandcamp) with the songs Necio, Final Breath, and Trapped in a Cage. Besides these tracks Reasons Why and Selfish Lover I enjoy also. Especially in Selfish Lover I feel like I heard a certain instrument around the 1:20 to 1:50 and I think it was a saxophone? It went hard as fuck. I did not expect that at all!

What sort of feedback has Worst Behavior received when it comes to their work?

"We've received a lot of good feedback about our work. I think the crowd reaction reflects that, people always go off when we play" I will agree the crowd reaction certainly reflects that pretty well! Even with word of mouth people know it's going to go off for sure. Especially if you add in Riff Valley Tacos with Worst Behavior you already know.

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Listening and looking through Final Breath, Necio, and Trapped in a cage I see the words "Goodbye" and the sentiment of anger/rage in in the lyrics as well, not just within the sound. There are lyrics that catch my eye such as in Trapped In A Cage "brother turned foe, their true colors shown" especially with how the songs go to the mentioning of "how can we live this way" after everything the listener goes through listening to these songs. Are there any experiences/anything about yourself that themselves that they implement into these songs? What do they wish to convey to the listener as they explain "The 2022 Promo has songs from three different phases of worst behavior. Necio is one of the first songs I wrote back in like 2015. Final breathe was written during the covid pandemic. I know it’s kinda cliche to write a pandemic song during a pandemic, but it’s what I felt at the time and it also goes with the theme of the next album. The 'dying alone with no goodbye' line is basically what I was seeing on the news during that time. Hearing that families were being denied access to see their loved ones for the last time really put me down. I felt uncertain, frustrated ,and sad. I didn’t know what was to come next. So I wrote this song to trying to catch my emotions the best I could." They mention "I know it's kinda of cliche" but I of other artists who also wrote songs about the covid pandemic during the pandemic. I wouldn't say cliche due it being their feelings and thoughts on the situation which most importantly it's clearly self expression. They continue by saying "Trapped in a cage was written / an idea around early 2018 if I remember correctly. We were in a lock up unit practicing, and Danny hit this riff. I sang the line 'trapped in a cage' to that riff, and from there it took off. It wasn’t until that devil Mike Pence showed up at a local border patrol station, I think in McAllen, were I got some more inspiration for the song. There’s this one picture he’s in that really doesn't sit right with me. Its that picture of him, all the border patrol agents, and the people who crossed over. The kids that crossed the border alone, the kids that got left behind, the people who came to start a better life. These poor kids and people man, lost and confused not knowing what’s coming next. So I decided to write this song for them. The line 'brother turned foe, their true colors show' is a call out. A call out to certain border portal agents who claim to be raza. Those same border patrol agents who wanna flex, and be apart of something they could never get into. To the agents who do those poor people dirty just to get ahead. How can you claim to be raza, but also be despicable towards them…. 'Brother turned foe their true colors show'. In fact this song is a call out to any raza on a power trip out here. The line 'how could we live this way' is basically summing it all up on both sides of the spectrum. With the fake raza being fake ass hoes, and us. You, me, the person next to you, and the person next to them. How do could we live this way knowing what we know. Yet also knowing there’s not a damn thing we can do. The only thing I’ve noticed and experienced is fake ass raza trying to be something their not. For the listener take it as you want it. Interpret it any way you want to anything you’re going through. I just want you to know that I feel you, and I want to you to be aware." Listening to song in my own interpretation I took as a something to do with family or a sense of the family we create when it mentioned "brother turned foe" along with some other ideas, but with what was mentioned and going along with the lyrics again, I understand. It certainly is powerful especially with how it's all conveyed and pushed out.

How do they wish to continue with their music along with the band? "I want to put this new album out asap, and maybe tour this next summer. We haven’t been able to tour because we all got things going on. So that’s kinda were I want things to go for worst." Oh a new album and a tour? Yo I don't know how people can tour with these gas prices it's crazy. I mean if people want to play somewhere go for it! Like yeah play in the valley, but I do recommend playing elsewhere as well. Meet people and connections, but most importantly have fun.

Worst Behavior shares their thoughts on the valley scene, "The valley Scene is getting better and better every other month. Glare is blowing up, Riley is that band right now making the Tik tok money. A lot of younger kids are coming out and starting up new projects. It’s really badass, it’s a trip seeing new faces in the crowd. Kids getting inspired to do new things and be who they are."

Worst Behavior also has a show today 9-17-22 and here's what they have to say,

"Come ready to rock. Learn the lyrics to all the songs and help me yell that shit. Bring your friend who likes Metallica, and we’ll prove to them that we’re the better band. Any show in the future just be ready to rock out, mosh, and make some kickass memories."

*Photography by @deathtocontent Instagram