On A Turntable

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the high-energy track "On A Turntable" by The Interrupters from their 2016 album Say It Out Loud for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song stands out as a departure from the band’s usual ska-heavy sound, leaning more into punk rock roots with a raw, driving edge. In a 2016 post on X, the band announced the release of Say It Out Loud, expressing their excitement to share new music, with "On A Turntable" being a key track that showcased their evolving style. Dying Scene noted in a 2016 review that the song’s punk vibe and Aimee Interrupter’s vocals echoed the gritty energy of Brody Dalle from The Distillers, highlighting its unique place in the album’s lineup. The track also got a live spotlight when the band released their Live In Tokyo! album in 2021, with a performance of "On A Turntable" shared on YouTube and streaming platforms, as hyped in a 2021 X post. This live version captured the band’s infectious stage presence, which has been a hallmark of their performances since their early days.

Another tidbit about "On A Turntable" comes from the band’s relentless touring around the time of Say It Out Loud’s release. In a 2016 interview with Sofa King Cool, Aimee Interrupter shared that the band had grown tighter as a unit through constant touring, which influenced the bold, cohesive sound of tracks like "On A Turntable." The song’s lyrics and upbeat tempo reflect the band’s ethos of unity and resilience, themes often woven into their music. Their 2016 stint on the Vans Warped Tour, as mentioned in a 2018 X post by the Warped Tour account, helped propel the album’s tracks, including "On A Turntable," to a wider audience of punk and ska fans. The song’s raw energy makes it a perfect fit for the Zoo Freaks, who no doubt vibe with its rebellious spirit and danceable beat.

The Interrupters formed in Los Angeles in 2011, bringing together lead vocalist Aimee Interrupter and the Bivona brothers—Kevin on guitar, Justin on bass, and Jesse on drums. According to their bio on Epitaph Records, the Bivona brothers were already steeped in the LA punk scene, having played in the band Telacasters and worked with Tim Timebomb And Friends, a project led by Rancid’s Tim Armstrong. They met Aimee, then a solo artist named Aimee Allen, in 2009 while touring with Telacasters alongside The Dirty Heads and Sugar Ray. Aimee and Kevin began writing songs together, soon pulling in Jesse and Justin to form The Interrupters. Their shared love for ‘90s punk and the 2 Tone ska movement of the ‘80s fueled their sound, blending high-energy riffs with socially conscious lyrics. Mentored by Tim Armstrong, who produced their albums and acted as an honorary “fifth Interrupter,” the band hit the ground running, touring with punk legends like Rancid and Bad Religion before even releasing their 2014 self-titled debut.

The band’s early days were marked by a DIY ethos and a knack for connecting with fans through relentless performances. As noted on Wikipedia, they played festivals like Riot Fest and Amnesia Rockfest early on, building a loyal following. Their breakthrough came with Say It Out Loud, which peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart, and later with Fight the Good Fight in 2018, driven by the hit "She’s Kerosene." Today, they boast nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram and millions of listeners on streaming platforms, as per Event Tickets Center. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities like the The Interrupters Fan Group on Facebook offer a space to share love for the band’s music and catch up on tour news.