Local indie punk band fk mt. exemplified the evolution of rock with their set before the Nickelodeon’s showing of "The Decline of Western Civilization Part 1" on Saturday, a documentary revealing the punk rock culture in Los Angeles during 1980.
fk mt.’s high energy and emotional lyrics land them somewhere between the hard American punk featured in the film and the modern sounds of alternative rock, as they consider themselves a “stoner pop band." The Nick welcomed fk mt. in partnership with Drip Records as a part of their "Sound & Vision" series, a music documentary series with performances from local bands before each film.
Formed about four years ago, fk mt. has steadily been making a name for themselves in the local rock scene. After a tour along the east coast and the recent release of a split with California band Iris Jupiter, the band is still eager to expand their music.
“[My goal is] to get as big as possible,”bassist Ony Ratsimbaharison said.
The typical anti-establishment and political lyrics of influential 80s punk bands, such as Germs and Circle Jerks, differ from the impassioned lyrics of fk mt.’s indie punk, but both eras continue to use their music as an expression of their innermost emotions.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Ryan Morris writes most of the lyrics for fk mt. He sees their music as an outlet for any emotions he may be experiencing.
“I have really terrible anxiety,” Morris said. “I'm able to write about it and sing about it and yell about it.”
The young band agrees that using art as expression is an effective way to liberate feelings.
“When people hold in their emotions, you're holding it in and not getting it out so it's not going to do anything well for you,” drummer Brandon Johnson said. “If you have all these ideas, you want to get it out or else you’re going to regret not doing it.”
But the passionate lyrics don’t distract from the powerful music behind it. With Ratsimbaharison’s deep bass and Johnson’s rapid drumming, the emotional lyrics are accompanied by music that is easy for an audience to listen and enjoy.
“It’s ironic how much I groove to it, too,” Johnson said, referring to the songs' "dark linings."
Morris assures emerging artists that anyone can create meaningful messages through their art.
“That's what I try to convey, is that anybody can do this,”Morris said.
As for the name fk mt., he explains there isn’t as deep of a meaning as some might expect.
“It’s arbitrary,” Morris said. “Every band name is already taken.”
The "Sound & Vision" series will continue at the Nickelodeon Theatre until Nov. 25.