There is no bigger name than Ian MacKaye in the hardcore punk world. Not even Henry Rollins has done as much to shape the moral and musical ideology often associated with the scene. Although the reason the band started was from trying to cover a song from the band Karate, Fugue are often compared to Fugazi–not just because of their obvious name similarities. Singer Garrett La Bonte's often writes their songs with a basic punk structure before adding elements of shoe-gaze and atmospheric post-rock, making their sound a new interpretation of post-hardcore. During the band's off time La Bonte works to protect and nourish the growing Orange County DIY scene.
While routinely opening up for Dad Punchers, a side-project from Elliott Babin of Touche Amore, La Bonte has had time to start a label, publish his own zine, and work on a collective where he helps bands book shows at DIY spaces that are not traditional venues. The band Dad Punchers and Fugue are so intertwined, Bassist for Dad Punchers Mike Smith's label, Mountain Man Records is co-releasing the new two song 7-inch. In one of the first show's Dad Punchers performed, the collective booked a vintage store where Fugue also performed. Not only do the bands work together on music, but La Bonte's zine's first issue has an interview with Babin where they discuss La Bonte's religion.
]
On Being Compared to Fugazi
“If I had to narrow it down to favorite bands, Fugazi is probably the largest contender. Musically, but also aesthetically, morally, on all fronts that band changed how I look at music in general. I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to that band so I've read up on all the guys and what they've done and that whole [Washington D.C.] community was just something that I really respect and I try to implement it on my own life, what I've learned from what I've read about them. Ian MacKaye especially is a hero of mine.”
On being a member of the Mormon faith and the hardcore punk community
“I know religion has its problems, and I recognize that. I'm in a part of my life where I'm trying to find a place in that because I recognize that not everything is perfect. But I guess to people's definition they would consider me a straightedge person. I wouldn't necessarily say I rep the X's on my hands, and I don't consider my band a straightedge band or anything but I put myself in line with those Ideals because I was technically raised with those Ideals. But It's gone beyond just the religious belief. It is a part of the religion per say, but it's more become who I am. Being sober or soberly minded has kind of become an incredibly important thing in my life.
[Between punk an religion] there are definitely some bridges, but they definitely have their differences, and I recognize that. I try to be an open-minded person, but unfortunately with religion, especially the church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, these days there are some touchy topics. With moral issues today with certain things going on in gay rights or other things in that manner, I definitely have an opinion that people outside of religion wouldn't agree with but also people inside of religion wouldn't agree with either. You need to form your own opinion.”
Help fund Fugue on their latest tour through their Indiegogo campaign!
Follow us on Twitter @OCWeeklyMusic and like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality.