Music Q&A with Melted
Photo by Jose Johnny Corona Jr.
Last month, Long Beach’s very own Melted released their latest album, Self Deflection via Open Door Records! In this Q&A, Melted’s Sam Mankinen and Justin Eckley, talked about the album, their favorite thing about making music, how they keep it posi, and more!
Congratulations on the release of Self Deflection! What does the album mean to you?
Sam: This album means the world to me. Justin and I poured our heart and souls in to writing/creating this record, and I am beyond proud of it. Definitely my most favorite record I’ve ever put out.
Justin: This record feels like the first time I’ve written, recorded, and released music that completely encapsulated both my mental obstacles and personal growth. Making it with my best friend Sam made me feel secure but also made it fun.
How did the pandemic affect the making and creative process of the album, if it did at all?
Sam: The pandemic made the release process a little shitty. We FINALLY have our music digitally released, but getting our physical copies has been a battle. It’s like that across the board for bands and the world in general, so we’re trying to stay patient. Don’t worry though, it’ll be here soon!
Justin: We actually recorded the record just before the pandemic and have been playing some the songs live since 2018. The pandemic really only gave us a longer manufacturing time. If anything, it was a plus because we had more time to commission art and plan out the printing of the sleeves, which I’m excited for.
What’s your favorite song off of Self Deflection?
Sam: “Who’s to Blame” is possibly my all time favorite song. It was one that we might’ve struggled the most writing, but once it all came together…I want to cry just thinking about it (in a good way).
Justin: Since Sam said ‘Who’s to Blame?’ I’ll try to be different and say ‘Bigger Maggots’. It was the first song we started playing live and the first song from this batch that we released. It’s also referencing one of my favorite songs by The Matches and I always wanted to find space to pay homage to that band.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Sam: OH MAN, loaded question! I have too many…tippy top is Bleeding Through’s Declaration. It's where they really dug in to their black metal influences and started getting more gnarly.
Justin: Since I don’t really have an answer to this question as there are far too many for too many reasons, I’ll take the opportunity to drop some new records I’ve been into recently:
Taking Meds - Terrible News from a Wonderful Man
Green Lung - Black Harvest
Playboy Manbaby - Toxic Positivity
Feverchild - S/T
Heart Attack Man - Thoughtz and Prayerz
What instrument do you not play that you hope to learn someday?
Sam: I would love to learn how to really actually play something besides drums/percussion. I feel like I’m still learning so much about percussion in general! But I love rhythm, so probably bass.
Justin: I think I’d like to get better at the instruments I do sorta know like piano / synthesizers and drums.
What is your favorite thing about making music?
Sam: My favorite thing about making music is when I get to hang out with my best friend Justin and talk shit/make jokes/have fun hanging out. It’s really cool to create stuff with people, but its even better to have a connection with your creative partner. If Justin and I stopped making music together tomorrow, I’d still love him as my best friend forever. That’s why I think we still do it.
Justin: Making music gives us an opportunity to connect with people we would never get to otherwise. I like to think at least one listener can reflect and discover similarities and equalize us as imperfect, but malleable inhabitants of the same existence. Plus it’s fun as all hell to be loud and bang my head, falling over between Sam and some bored concert attendee with a confused look on their face and a over priced beer in their hand.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
Sam: Lately, it has been a challenge. 2021 had a ton of changes for me in my personal life, so I’m still trying to find my footing. But I’m a big fan of trying to 'stop and smell the roses,’ if you get what I mean. We get one shot at this life, and all this stuff we get to do is just excess. We’re pretty dang lucky, despite some predicaments we all have to face.
Justin: The thing that gets me to the other side of anxiety and stress is laughter and silliness with friends and my family. Nothing breaks me through like seeing my kid smile and hearing my wife laugh. If that means I gotta sing and dance to “No Scrubs” in my kitchen to make it happen, I won’t argue.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Sam: Thank you for taking the time to check us out!! I love my best friend and I’m so lucky we get to do this shit.
Justin: Find yourself a couple friends, get some instruments and amps, turn the volume up to 11 and scream dumb punk rock songs until you find yourself deaf, drenched and voiceless. Fuck the world, start a band. Everything else will get easier. Thank you for the time on this!