Interview With Bassist Emma Anzai

We are thrilled to bring you Bassist CJ UY laying down the low end on this exclusive Bass Musician playthrough of, “Never Getting Better.

The song is from Washington DC Ska Punks Kill Lincoln’s upcoming album NO NORMAL, their long-awaited 4th studio album, set to be released on September 27th, 2024. The album was recorded in March 2024 at District Recording in San Jose, CA by Ryan Perras, at the same location and exactly 4 years from when they recorded their 2020 album Can’t Complain.

CJ UY Shares…

“Never Getting Better” is one of my favorite songs on the new record. During the demo phase, Mike sketched out a basic progression and a skeleton for the bouncy arpeggiated lines I play during the “spaghetti western” sections of each verse. I stuck pretty closely to his original concept, then fleshed things out with some walking and linear ideas to create a sense of forward motion and propel us into the choruses. The solo section didn’t really come together until we were all together in the studio. I settled on an Yngwie Malmsteen-inspired harmonic minor run that I thought would contrast well with the crazy horn squawks I know Food likes to play with. I had some inkling of where he would go, and he absolutely delivered with the trading and solo that follows. I hate to admit it, but I think he cut me here!” (Video by Rae Mystic)

NO NORMAL contains 11 new tracks that mirror the band’s intense live show; chaotic, explosive, and ultimately a cathartic release of pure ska punk energy. The album’s first single “I’m Fine (I Lied)” is streaming on August 2nd, and perfectly sets the table for the rest of the album… shorter, faster, louder, and with an intensely catchy hook that is almost painfully relatable. Some bands use a new record to ‘step’ into a new era… Kill Lincoln is launching themselves out of a canon.

Album available online at badtimerecords.com/collections/kill-lincoln

FFO: Less Than Jake, The Wonder Years, MXPX, Goldfinger

Tour Dates:
Oct 11th — Tacoma, WA @ Elks Temple%
Oct 12th — Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre%
Oct 14th — Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades%
Oct 15th — Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst%
Oct 16th — Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theater%
Oct 17th — San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park%
Oct 18th — Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club%
Oct 19th — Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole%
Oct 26th — Gainesville, FL @ FEST
Oct 27th — Gainesville, FL @ FEST
Nov 21st – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

% = Supporting LESS THAN JAKE

Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Label: Bad Time Records
Formats: Digital | Vinyl

Album Credits:
MATT “FOOD” ELLIS – SAX, VOCALS
MIKE SOSINSKI – VOCALS, GUITAR
DREW SKIBITSKY – HYPE
TYLER RODGERS – DRUMS
YASUTAKA“UME” UMEMOTO – TROMBONE, VOCALS
CJ UY – BASS, VOCALS

Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Ryan Perras at District Recording in San Jose, CA
Produced by Mike Sosinski and Ryan Perras
Cover photos by Tyler Rodgers with additional back photos by Cj Uy
Layout and design by Mike Sosinski
Insert photos by Rae Mystic
“Coming or Going” written by Mike Park
All other songs by Kill Lincoln

Originally posted by Editor, Raul Amador at https://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2024/10/interview-with-bassist-emma-anzai/