The story of Southern California band Easy Out has an interesting origin story. "In 2022, I did the Growing Up Punk podcast, where I connected with host Aaron Friesen (Means) over our mutual love for ’90s skate punk," says vocalist Mike Perez. "Aaron invited me to join the project he had been working on with Ryan Schueller of Off the Record. The project existed entirely online—Aaron living in Canada, and Ryan and I in Southern California. They showed me what they had been working on, and I immediately started writing."
The band eventually parted ways with Aaron because the distance between him and the other members proved to be too difficult to manage, so Easy Out's current lineup consists of Mike Perez (No Bragging Rights), Ryan Schueller (Off the Record), Steve Reese (Voodoo Glow Skulls), Mike Alsaybar (Create Avoid), and Ty Robinson (Torture Culture).
Easy Out just released their debut album, Somewhere in Between, a 14-track collection packed with big hooks:
Since Mike brought up skate punk, I ask him he would define that to people who aren't familiar with the sound. "Yes, Easy Out aims to capture the speed, technicality, and aggression of ’90s skate punk—an era defined by the fusion of skate culture and punk rock. We take influence from bands like NOFX (Punk in Drublic), Strung Out (Twisted by Design), Bad Religion (No Control), and Lagwagon (Let’s Talk About Feelings), while still making something that feels true to us."
In terms of the songs on Somewhere in Between, Mike took a reflective route. "Lyrically, I write from a place of nostalgia—growing up, figuring out life, and now being in my 40s, still writing about life… just from a different vantage point. I wanted the lyrics to be fun, even if some might come across as 'angry old man anthems.'
"The opening track, 'Get Off My Lawn,' is about feeling with your whole heart that the music you loved as a teenager still hits just as hard. The title track imagines my 15-year-old self asking my current self the big questions: 'Does anyone care about our band? Do we get the girl?' (No—but we’ve done some cool stuff along the way.) 'Bells and Crowns' is about two shows that changed my life—one in Riverside (Bell) and one in Corona (Crown)."
Mike is clearly energized and coming full circle with what he's doing in Easy Out. "Even though No Bragging Rights (the hardcore band I’m still in) started as a punk band in 1999, it’s wild to now be in my 40s finally writing the skate punk I was never good enough to write back then. This project has been a dream—honestly the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
"Also, at every NBR or Easy Out show, if you visit walkingblindpod.com (a mental health podcast I do with Mike Alsaybar), you’ll find a list of resources (mental health services, food pantries, shelters, etc.) within 30 miles of the venue. We just want people to realize that help is often a lot closer than they think."
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Easy Out on social media: Instagram
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