Having formed less than a year ago, Boston’s Massive Nightmares is already on their way to making waves in the independent music scene. On September 6th, 2024, the band will release their debut EP, recorded with Trevor Reilly of A Wilhelm Scream fame. The result is a self-released five track EP that serves as an amazing introduction to the band. An appetizer, if you will.
Formed by members of bands like No Trigger, Great Lakes USA, Save Ends, and David New Joy, Massive Nightmares comes from amazing stock. The music delivers a definite power pop and alternative meets 2000s melodic punk vibe. Think Lemonheads and The Menzingers meet Gaslight Anthem and The Bronx.
The latest single from the upcoming EP releases on Friday, August 23rd, 2024. However, the group honored Bearded Gentlemen Music with the chance to premiere the track days ahead of the official release. Listen to it enough, and you’ll be able to sing the words when the song officially drops!
Massive Nightmares also sat down to answer a few questions for us. Some of the responses came collectively, while others are attributed to the specific person. Hope you get to enjoy the new song and the interview!
Massive Nightmares formed last fall and have a debut EP coming out in September. What were the major milestones involved with going from band to recorded material in less than a year?
Myke: Al and I have been playing music for almost 15 years, and Pat and I grew up playing music together in high school, so it felt pretty natural to write new material. Pat and Al also brought some originals they’ve had written, which helped kick-start everything when we first started. And then bringing Tom in helped solidify everything, giving Pat a chance to slide over to guitar.
You all came from previous bands before starting Massive Nightmares. Do you see influences from your past bands creeping into the music, or do you see yourself consciously trying to head the other direction as much as possible?
Al’s guitar is hard to not associate with Great Lakes, but as a whole, it naturally sounds different once everything comes together. It’s also just more fun to play stuff a little slower these days.
A Wilhelm Scream is one of my favorite bands, and you got to work with Trevor Reilly on your debut EP. What made you choose Trevor? And, more importantly, what suggestions did Trevor offer that made you sound better when the dust settled?
Myke: Late summer or early fall, we were getting started as a three-piece and were eager to re-record some of the stuff we had recorded live over the summer. Not having recorded in years, I reached out to Tom, who wasn’t in the band yet, to get his thoughts. One of his suggestions was Trevor. We’re all big fans of AWS, so I reached out thinking he’d be booked or not interested. Trevor was on tour but responded a day later. January happened to be perfect timing for all of us to record, and it happened to be between Wilhelm tours.
Pat: Trevor has a great ear for harmony and melody, as featured on the live stacked harmonies he added to “Back to the Beach.” We felt really comfortable with Trev, and as a result, we’re able to get good performances. He gave us the confidence to push ourselves and try different things. Having someone of his caliber invested in what we’re doing is a huge advantage.
The next single off the EP is “Worth It.” What’s the story behind that song?
Sometimes, you drive several hours to play a show for no one, over and over again.
EPs are great and all, but when can we expect a new Massive Nightmares full-length?
If everything works out, our plan is to start recording an LP with Trevor this winter at Anchor End. Recording with Trevor was incredible, and it was a unanimous decision to work with him again. Not knowing Trevor before recording, we were kind of intimidated, but in the end, it was we’ve never had a more positive recording experience in the 20+ years of playing music.
What plans do you have to support the new EP?
Myke: We’re planning to distribute the EP to strip clubs throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Beyond that, we’ll probably play a few shows. Faces, in Malden, The Sil, and maybe a weekend or two through Brooklyn/PVD/Philly/ME/Wherever. Hit us up if you want play music and riff on the TV show Fringe
Looking back on the last year as a band, what’s been your fondest memory about it all?
Recording at Anchor End with Trevor, and hanging at sixes and sevens was pretty rad.
What other new bands are really exciting to you these days?
Sadlands from Brooklyn are rad. We’ll be playing with them in the fall. “Flowers” will be stuck in your head for weeks. We also share members with a bunch of rad bands that are all putting out very awesome records soon: Little Low, MK Naomi, Unseemlier. Cape Crush, Me and Capris, and The Promised End are rad Boston area locals you should listen too, NOW.
What one piece of advice do you have for that one person out there reading this interview who continues to make excuses about why they aren’t in a band yet?
Anyone can be in a band. But also you don’t have to be in a band if you’re busy or whatever.
For the uninitiated, what’s a Massive Nightmares show like?
Depends if you give Doyle a mic or not. Funny, energetic, and surprisingly in tune.
Fill in the blank …. If I like blank, then I’ll like Massive Nightmares.
Piebald and the classic 80’s film, Monster Squad.
Any last words?
“We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it’s fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom… Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation.”
Also – thanks for listening to the new songs and doing this interview! We can’t wait for you to hear the rest of the EP.
Check out Massive Nightmares on Instagram and Bandcamp.
Editor’s note: This interview was lightly edited for clarity.