AN INTERVIEW WITH STAB

1. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! Before we dive in, if you wouldn’t mind introducing yourself and what you do in the band, that would be great!

My name is Nik. I sing in Stab.

2. I am always keen to showcase bands from my home state as I think the Maine scene these days is criminally underrated, though that seems to be shifting a bit. Where in Maine are you guys based, and could you give us a little backstory on the band: when you formed, projects you were involved in prior and/or currently, that sort of thing?

We’re all from southern Maine and northern New Hampshire. Matt and Joe, who both play guitar, wrote a demo and asked me if I wanted to try and sing over it. It sounded really cool and different from things I’ve previously been a part of. I wrote to the song, recorded vocals, sent it back to the boys, and we had our first song "Rinse."

We’ve all been playing music in and around the same scene since we were kids, in multiple bands hardcore, punk, metalcore etc. Stab feels refreshing and new.

3. So in showing what a small world we live in—especially how small the hardcore world can be—I have a good Hard Ca$h story for you. I’m thinking it was winter 2023 but my timeline may be off, I was in the Sanford Walmart getting a few items after hitting the gym and I was wearing my Trapped Under Ice Big Kiss Goodnight t-shirt with Johnny Depp and Traci Lords on the front from Cry-Baby and this tatted up dude stops me and is like, “Dude, you’re into TUI?” He introduces himself to me as Bones and we get to chatting for like two hours about hardcore. He tells me there’s this sick new band in the works that’s fusing hardcore and hip-hop and that I should keep an eye out. The rest, as they say, is history… Are there any such small world experiences you’ve had as a part of the hardcore scene?

Shout out Bones frfr. Small world experience: The first time I met Bones I was in Dover, freshly 18 trading a bass cab for a hand tattoo. He came into the shop and we shot the shit about music and found out we hung around the same people. We’ve been cool ever since and played a lot of shows together. 

4. While listening to the demo, I was getting some early Title Fight, Crime In Stereo, and Shook Ones vibes, even a little early Saves the Day with the opening of “Toy,” and I dig that very much. Who are you pulling from influence-wise?

Very much Crime in Stereo and Title Fight. Huge influences. Any band that can yell with a melody that isn’t corny is right up my alley. I think this band is honing in on a collective sound from New England with influences like Have Heart, Yellow Stitches, Verse, American Nightmare, Haywire, The Carrier, The Effort, Defeater, Bane, etc. 

5. What made you want to go in more of a melodic direction with this project?

It was written! I think we’re getting old, and sick of playing breakdowns.

6. As a 90s rock head and a certified fan of what Four Year Strong is currently doing, which I characterize as “90s rock core” (very original, I know), the Matchbox 20 cover certainly perked my ears up. What was the impetus for giving that one the Stab treatment?

Not sure honestly, Joe and Matt were dead set on doing it. I thought it was going to be whack, but we ended up taking that song from Matchbox 20 and it’s ours now.

7. I’ve been workshopping a take I want to throw your way and get your thoughts on: with hardcore, you’re either in it for two years or in one way or another for a lifetime.

I think hardcore is a part of you. Speaking for myself, music that inflicts physical violence but transmutes to a positive release, continues to help me get out of myself mentally and be apart of something greater, with a collective group of people who feel the same way.

I’d say you’re in it for however long you continue to give back. Weather that’s introducing yourself to new people at shows, booking shows, attending shows, moshing, photos, recording music, artwork, anything to keep it moving. 

8. So despite the fact that the band hasn’t been active very long you’ve already been hitting the live shows—what have been the highlights so far?

Honestly every show has been pretty sick! People know the words, stage dives, dance, it’s pretty sweet. We’ve played some awesome shows. We got to play a show with The Banner in New Jersey that is fucking crazy. Shout out Negative Force.

9. What’s on the horizon for the band in 2026—more shows, new music…?

We just wrapped up recording a new EP with Evan Sammons in Belgrade, Maine. He’s a really good producer, bands should check him out, OG Maine legend. Hopefully we’ll be able to release it late spring/early summer.

10. Okay, last question: in your view, who belongs on the Maine Hardcore Mount Rushmore?

Cruel Hand, Outbreak, Wake Up Call, Unique Seagull