BRIDGE THE GAP – interview

Interview with CHAD JENSEN, vocalist of BRIDGE THE GAP, a garage punk group from St. George, Utah

Introduce your band, and describe your latest release:

Bridge The Gap dropped our debut album Secret Kombinations last March on People of Punk Rock Records. We followed that up with a new single Revenant in October.

What’s the hardest part about being a band in this day and age?

Since we’re no longer in our 20s, scheduling is the toughest part of being in a band. All four of us in Bridge The Gap have families, jobs, and outside demands that can make scheduling a bit tricky. But BTG is a top priority for all of us, so we make it happen. You don’t find the time for what’s important; you make it.

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?

Honestly, it wasn’t until we got our initial mixes back from The Blasting Room that we realized this project was going to require us to come together as a band and push hard to support the record. Definitely a game-changer.

Tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?

If you like fast, melodic punk rock heavily influenced by the ‘90s, you’ll dig Secret Kombinations.

How does a song typically come together for you?

It always starts with a riff. Each song is built around that starting point.

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?

‘90s-era melodic punk rock. We call it skate-punk. Some people call it ‘Epi-Fat’ punk rock, hearkening back to the heyday of Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords in the ‘90s.

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band?

I don’t have any expectation of what a listener should take away from our music. Any good art is meant for interpretation by the listener/reader/viewer. Interpretation or nothing, when it comes to music.

Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why?

We still haven’t been to Europe. The logistics have been difficult to manage but we’ll get there.

How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years?

Honestly, the music we’re making today isn’t much different than what we were doing 25 years ago. However, it is more polished, and without coming off as sounding too pretentious, it’s more sophisticated.

How excited are you for 2024, and what can fans expect from you?

We’re stoked to drop some new music this year. Fans can at least expect that from Bridge The Gap, with more shows/touring.