In August, Maryland-based punk-ska band Ballyhoo! released their latest album, Bad Summer, which brings more of their signature beach-rock style that fans know and love.
A notable track from this release is Cali Girl II, a sequel to their 2006 classic Cali Girl from their album “Do It For The Money!” that may bring a sense of closure to those invested in the story behind the original lyrics. “The Alchemist” is an inspirational track that encourages listeners to turn the negative into the positive.
We last spoke with Ballyhoo! back in 2018, and today, we’ve once again had the privilege of interviewing their frontman, Howi Spangler.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: This is Omayra with Altwire. Thank you, Howi, for taking the time to speak to us! With the success of your latest release, we’re excited to hear what you have to share with your fans and our readers. As a band whose career spans over 20 years, you’ve inspired many in the industry. I recall you said years ago that you were discouraged from pursuing music and wanted to get a “real job.” Could you expand on what you felt back then, and what you meant by that?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: I think that’s come up a lot over the years, actually. You start to question if this is really worth it. Especially having a family, you start thinking about how you could probably be bringing in more money if you had a real job. I’m always asking myself if I’m, like, letting my family down. But then I get to a point where if I quit now, all the time away, all the time that I miss with the family, would be for nothing. So we keep going.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: What words of encouragement do you have for aspiring musicians starting now?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: Learn how to make videos all the time. Just get used to it. Post a couple of videos a day, every day, for the rest of your life [laughs]. This is how bands get discovered these days, and having a presence is very important. And also play the music that you want to play. The truth is, the better advice would be to pick a sound and stick with it forever. But me personally, I like a lot of things, and we’re just a hybrid band. It makes for a much harder road, because the sound isn’t as consistent as being straight-up punk rock or straight-up reggae, or whatever.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: In the years you’ve (the band) have been with your significant others, we know it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but what has been your anchor in staying together with all the times you’ve spent traveling and the challenges that come with it? What words of advice and encouragement would you give to aspiring musicians in relationships, especially when children are involved?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: My wife is my ride or die. That doesn’t mean we haven’t had plenty of arguments and fights about this path. But she knows I love it. She knows I’m good at it. And she’s my number one supporter, my biggest fan. If you happen to be with someone who isn’t that way, but you know this is what you want to do with your life, then I highly recommend finding someone who will let you pursue it.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: With ever-evolving technology, AI is the current controversial trend. What are your thoughts on its use in music, and how do you feel it compares to other tools such as the synthesizer?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: I think we’re in a very disruptive era, and this is no different than when digital recording became the thing. Obviously, anyone can just sign up with Suno and create a song from a prompt, and to me that’s not necessarily a good thing, but I’m sure AI is here to stay.
It’s definitely not going anywhere, but I think it’ll eventually level out. I don’t believe in generative AI for art and music, but I think there are lots of ways to use it in the studio. More so as tools and utilities in the programs that we use to create music. You know, it could be used for organization and productivity. Little tedious things like renaming song files and all these little tedious things that I’ve come across in the studio. AI is great for that kind of stuff.
But we certainly wouldn’t generate a song from it. This could have been so much smoother for the AI companies if they had just let artists and musicians opt out before they started training. And it’d be great if they paid their own bills, didn’t use water to cool their systems, and maybe considered paying everyone they stole their training from.
Fan Submitted Questions for Ballyhoo:
Altwire [Reader Submitted Question]: Can you describe a moment at one of your shows when the whole crowd felt like a single organism? What happened, and what made it click? When did you feel like the barrier between performer and audience disappeared entirely?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: There have been many, and I’m grateful for it. Some nights just feel electric when the whole crowd is locked in, and the band is locked in. You can just feel it. And when the crowd is singing loud and smiling and just going off, it’s incredible. I’m not sure what makes it click. I think it’s just the right night with the right people in the right room.
I’d say most nights feel that way, to be honest. Though there have been plenty of nights that have felt “sterile”. We try to create a setting where people are happy, having a good time, feeling uplifted. And that just helps connect the band to the people.
Altwire [Reader Submitted Question]: Is there a specific experience that has happened during a show that you can’t fully explain and left you genuinely moved?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: A few years ago, we were playing a show, and our new album at the time had just dropped. We had just gone through a pretty dark time financially. After the record came out, things felt a little lighter after years of struggle. Just looking out at the crowd and seeing people singing and performing on stage, I don’t know, kind of feeling that, I started to cry. It was a nice moment, just realizing that we were still here and people were still coming out and giving a shit.
Altwire [Reader Submitted Question]: Similarly, but different, what’s the strangest or most unexplainable thing that’s happened at a show that still gives you chills when you think about it?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: I thought I saw my mom in the crowd once. I don’t remember what show it was or where we were, but it was the weirdest thing because she died when I was a kid. Super weird.
Altwire [Reader Submitted Question]: This question is from a fan in Central Florida who has spent the last two years learning guitar. How do you manage to stay consistent between recording and touring?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: I think the simple answer is I just like playing guitar. I like being able to just pick it up and play whenever I want, and it’s fun to come up with riffs and stuff. Just like anything else, you stay at it, you’re gonna stay good at it.
Altwire [Reader Submitted Question]: When coming up, who was Ballyhoo!’s biggest advocate?
Howi Spangler [Ballyhoo!]: 311 helped us a lot. Their fans were awesome, took us right in, and they used us for a lot of things back in those days. I’m forever grateful for that relationship, as they’re one of my favorite bands. Pepper too. Those guys are super cool and took really good care of us when we were on LAW Records. And they were always hyping us up.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: You truly have been an inspiration to your fans and our readers. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to the Altwire family.
If you want to catch Ballyhoo! live, they’re currently on tour. Check their platforms for a show in your area!
