Relient K Band • Page 139

Hoopes was live on IG this weekend and said that both he and Matt have the desire to do RK stuff and that they "just have to figure out what that looks like" or something vague along those lines

Honestly, I would be perfectly happy if they stopped doing live shows altogether and just hung out and wrote some jams with one another... Thiessen seems happy and Hoopes has his young family and I just want the best for both of them, and if they're at the stage of life where it's easier to release music and rarely leave home, that's perfectly fine with me!

 

They should play a Cleveland show once a year.

 

Yeah I would take new music over seeing them live, as hard as that is to say. I'm grateful I did get to see them multiple times but I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I last saw them.

I wonder if they would ever consider live streaming some shows? That would at least be something

After the recent MLT podcast I've been doing a discography run, even went all the way back to the All Work and No Play album. They are the perfect mix of pop-punk/nostalgia/musical growth/incredible consistency

 

Gotta say, that MLT interview made me circle back and give Deas Vail the chance I always owed them. Birds & Cages is a gem I've neglected too long, spinning it today.

 

Deas Vail were so good.

 

There is so much else I'd love to hear about from MLT with The Wedding, Deas Vail, and Brave New World records. I'd also love to hear about Mono vs Stereo, SMLXL Vinyl, and The Revolution Will Begin in a Blink of an Eye compilations. I don't know how much he's involved but there needs to be a MLT, Relient K, and TobyMac super-podcast that covers all the in between stuff like that

 

Love that record!

 

All the Houses Look the Same is honestly one of the best indie rock records of the 2000's. Insanely good record.

 

I saw Deas Vail five or six times in a week at Cornerstone Fest one year. They were one of the best bands out there at the time.

 

I saw Deas Vail twice and both were very very good shows. All their albums are great, self-titled was maybe my favorite.

 

Deas Veil was so good. I remember Wesley did a solo ep at some point I liked, but I think it’s vanished from the internet. Might be one song on YouTube somewhere.

 

Relient K is not an active enough band to do this for hahahahaha please don’t take this seriously. But everytime this gets bumped I hope for actual Relient K news. You’re making me really sad.

 

I totally forgot Hoopes produced their self titled, just assumed it was MLT again.

Which then reminded me he did the Mike Mains and the Branches album. Both great albums I love

 

Haha I totally get that. Relient K adjacent discussion is the best we have

 

It’s so bad that I bought the Mmhmm art guitar pedal and I’ll probably use it 10 times ever haha I just needed something from RK.

okay, part of it was a “this is a cool unique merch item that has an actual function.” But yea. Haha

 

If I hadn't already bought a DRV last year I would have strongly considered that one too

 

Here's a fun summary of Hoopes recent Instagram Q&A..

 

Hooray, something to get excited about there. Glad they want to create new things. Hope they can find the time to do it.

 

MLT told me Thiessen is a huge homebody and is basically semi-retired...plays shows when he feels like it. I'd love for them to surprise us and make more music but it still feels like they're a long way from that.

 

So many of my favourite artists seem to just want to hang out at home and not make music anymore which is exactly what I'd do if I had the chance so I can't blame them lol.

 

Yeah it does make sense haha. Especially after they've already put out a body of work that is (quantity and quality-wise) toward the top amount of output you would expect to see from the best artists. Would always love for inspiration to strike them again though, ha.

 

I get why bands hang it up. While none of them have to tell us or communicate the current state of the band, it would make a huge difference to fans to say something definitive. Even if it’s just this is how it is for now.

It’s frustrating when Hoopes says things could be happening but then we hear Theissen doesn’t seem into doing it. Both are valid for feeling each of those things. And again, they aren’t obligated to communicate anything. But maybe get on the same page as it comes to what you say in interviews.

Hoopes talked up celebrating Mmhmm last year and all we got from the band was a basic repress. Which is cool for those who didn’t have it yet. It’s great people could add it to their collection. I don’t really count the guitar pedal as it’s not exactly a release from the band. I just wish clear expectations were set. Yes, again, they don’t ever have to say anything. But it’s all really annoying.

 

I thought there was going to be a 20 yr Mmhmm tour last year for sure, I was really surprised there wasn't. But hearing Matt is happy at home I have zero animosity towards the Matts even if I selfishly still want a tour. I'm just glad they seem happy where they are in life

I don't know which approach is better, to quietly slow down like RK or do a big farewell like Anberlin/Copeland but then come back to put out more music. I'm happy those bands have put out more music but there was something special about being apart of those final shows and closing a chapter.

I think I like the idea of accepting RK is on a hiatus and anything else we get is just a cherry on top of an incredible run

 

I feel like there’s so much music I’ve found at this point that I love, that I’m okay with some classic heavy hitters only having new stuff on occasion. Two Lefts and on (minus about half of Collapsible Lung) are all albums I’d consider good enough to be in my all time favorites. I have a big old FANSD tattoo on one arm. I’ll always be excited as hell when new stuff from bands like Relient k drop, but there’s also enough good stuff out there, and coming out, that I’m happy to let the band be semi-retired. I mean, I feel like Air For Free alone was a gem I didn’t expect to ever get, but hell yeah that we did. Sucks when bands have inconsistent communication around the status of new stuff and tours, but we got a lot of good shit from ‘em so whether Air for Free was the last LP, or we get 20 more, I’m pretty content.

 

I'd rather not have them half-ass it if their hearts aren't in it. But I want to give them money to do it!