“In the end, it will be viewed as a classic Modern Life is War album,” predicts Modern Life is War bassist Chris Honeck on Life on the Moon, their first full-length release since 2013’s Fever Hunting. Vocalist Jeffrey Eaton agrees, saying it , “is going to be one that people will attach themselves to, absorb, and keep with them for a while.” Out Sept 5 on Deathwish Inc and Iodine Recordings, the album pushes boundaries and explores different soundscapes while not straying too far from the style fans are familiar with. The first listen may come off as a bit of a surprise: full of samples, more singing and a lot of instrumentation in the background that is rare for a hardcore/punk album. But once that initial shock wears off, it becomes evident that these additional nuances add a new layer to an already innovative band.
Eaton and fellow bandmates John Eich (guitar), and Luke Rauch (drums) started writing the album before the start of the pandemic. Their songwriting is a collaborative effort, and everyone but Honeck was living in Iowa at the time. He would fly out for rehearsals, but they also took advantage of sound checks and current technology to write and demo material.
“It was a COVID album,” says guitarist Bo Becker. “We handled those abilities because we all went through 2020 and were all used to getting on Zoom.”
“We used technology as best we could,” Honeck says. “We’re spread out, so writing is more of a process than other bands.”
Eaton notes that he spent a lot of time with the instrumentals while working on lyrics. He genuinely connected with the music and wanted the vocals to be just as strong. “I have been looking at this piece of music as a whole for a long time,” he says. “The instrumental base of the record is some of the best music we’ve ever made. The whole band spent a lot of time on it, which made it very personal. I wanted to honor the songs as much as possible.”
The band views Life on the Moon as a whole, instead of individual songs. While there are standout tracks, including the first single “Johnny Gone,” listening to the album in full (preferably with headphones) is an experience in itself. Eaton branched out vocally, challenging himself to take on more than the singular approach he had been taking.
“I tried to make each song unique and individual vocally,” he explains. “I think of Life on the Moon as being a play and theatrical. There are a lot of characters in the album, by name. There are a lot of true stories.”
Modern Life is War is an experienced band that has influenced countless others who followed them. The band credits varying musical tastes and a collaborative songwriting approach. They don’t take that honor lightly and feel that Life on the Moon will have the same impact on people as their previous material.
“It’s an honor, whether it’s completely intentional or from soaking it in over the years,” Eaton says. “I do hear echoes of what we’ve done still in other bands. Sometimes it feels like that isn’t a real thing. We’ve influenced parts of this genre. It’s always a compliment. I appreciate how special an experience that is.”
“Everyone has those records that transport you back to a time in your life,” Honeck says. “We have people still listening to us 23 years later. It’s a huge compliment and a cool thing to think about. People say they listened to us in high school 20 years ago. I hope people are saying the same thing about this album 20 years from now.”
With longevity comes the inescapable aging. They’re not playing 250 shows a year anymore or jumping around as much, but they still have the drive. Their limited engagements make attending a show a special experience, as there are fewer opportunities. Their life experience gives them a mature passion for music, though they feel that Life on the Moon takes influence from their youth.
“Our new album does reflect the era of music where we really started, which was the late ’90s,” Eaton says. “Musically, this record is energetic and youthful in a lot of ways. I feel like I have nothing to lose at this point and all the risks are worth taking. We risked it all when we were kids.”
“You look at music with a different perspective,” Honeck says. “We’ve all grown as musicians and songwriters. I feel lucky that I can go to Europe with my friends at 44 years old and play a punk show. There’s a level of gratitude there. Music does keep you young.”
“I don’t think I’m aging, so no comment,” Becker jokes.
The band is looking forward to playing the new material once Life on the Moon is released. They’ll be playing a record release show in Iowa City and doing a week-long tour heading to Furnace Fest where they’ll be in the van and playing cities they haven’t hit in a while. They will be supporting Hot Water Music in Europe and the UK, with some headlining shows in between. They’ll be looking to hit other locations in 2026.
“Playing these songs out live is going to be really fun,” Eaton says. “We have some of the most engaging guitar parts we’ve ever had. It’s going to be exciting to experience everyone’s work coming to fruition. That’s going to be the result of years of devotion by five different people.”
Modern Life is War appreciates their impact and doesn’t take their accomplishments for granted. They are passionate, hardworking and proud of the music they’ve released. Life on the Moon is a culmination of where they are as a band and people.
“Finishing this record and getting across the finish line is a big ‘fuck the past’ type of moment,” Eaton concludes. “It almost tore the band apart, but it’s one of the most special things we’ve made. I hope the reception of the record goes well. It’s gonna feel like a current new day. Our political climate and culture are horrific and divided, which is what this band talks about. We’ve been speaking about that for 23 years now. I am excited to be a part of this totally fucked up moment right now because we belong. We have a relevant perspective as a band right now. I’m just excited to be in this present moment and make the offering of this record to people. It’s going to make sense when few things seem to make sense.”
Life on the Moon is out today and you can order it from Deathwish Inc. Follow Modern Life is War on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Featured photo by Brian Santostefano; all other photos by Kyle Bergfors
