Central New Jersey hard-rockers Generation Underground released their latest single, “Pass the Needle,” last month.
The track chronicles the journey of overcoming social pressures revolving around drug use. The song challenges the glamorization of destructive drug use and encourages listeners to carve their own path.
Watch the lyric video for “Pass The Needle” below:
Read on for an interview with Generation Underground guitarist and vocalist Mike Florentine.
Give us some background on Generation Underground: Who are you, where do you hail from, and how did you get together?
We’ve been a band since 2014. We hail from central New Jersey. I met our drummer Matt [Schussler] through my drum teacher in 2016 who, ironically enough, was my 4th-grade teacher.
What’s the story behind the band’s name?
We used to be named Kold Blooded but we changed the name in 2017. The name Generation comes from the Motionless In White’s “Generation Lost” [from 2014’s Reincarnate]. The word Underground, well, we just went with the name (laughs).
You’ve cited musical influences that include acts like Linkin Park, Slipknot, Parkway Drive and Avenged Sevenfold. How do you go about synthesising these influences into the band’s overall sound?
Well, we take a little bit from each band. More often than not, I just write what comes naturally and then take those bands [as] influences and add it on top. I have so many ideas—it’s just a matter of not overthinking the song and fleshing out the best ideas for it.
On track’s like “Pass The Needle” and “Meth Man” there’s a heavy lyrical focus on substance abuse and its negative repercussions. How much is this informed from your own personal experiences and what other thematic inspirations do you take for the band’s material?
There is a heavy focus on that. It’s not necessarily about me—it’s more about what I’ve seen from people around me. I’ve seen a lot of people get wrapped into drugs and it’s not a good outcome. One of my friends almost died this past summer from taking too many pills, so it’s definitely not something to be taken lightly.
What’s next for Generation Underground? What can fans expect for 2022 and beyond?
We’re going to be putting out two albums next year and doing shows in support of them. Get ready ‘cos we’re coming with a vengeance.
Stream Generation Underground here.
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