Over the last 18 years (give or take a hiatus), Portland, Oregon’s The Taxpayers have been at the forefront of experimental punk rock. Not afraid to push their sound into different realms, they wear their hearts on their sleeves and travel the world amassing a dedicated group of fans. One thing has been missing from the band over the last decade – a new full-length album. Well, that wait is finally over. Today, The Taxpayers release Circle Breaker on Ernest Jenning Record Co. With all that pent up demand and anticipation, does Circle Breaker live up to the hype? In my humble opinion, the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
Circle Breaker collects a decade of life and experience. It’s not shy or embarrassed about being vulnerable when it makes sense. It also takes time to celebrate the joy that comes with life. the album evokes the DIY spirit that is ever present with The Taxpayers, but also isn’t afraid to experiment and push the boundaries. What’s more punk rock than breaking convention? Not much. Even when the album changes direction into a new experience (like funk, for instance), the songs are filled with musical magic that is The Taxpayers.
Ahead of the new album’s release, drummer Noah Taxpayer took some time out of his day to answer some questions about the album. You’ll be able to read more about my thoughts on Circle Breaker in this month’s Ska, Punk, and Other Junk column. Until then, please enjoy reading our interview with Noah Taxpayer of The Taxpayers.
It’s been almost ten years since your last full-length. What kind of perspective does that time away give the band as you sit down to work on a new album like Circle Breaker?
So, ten years since we have released an album, and almost 20 years as a band shows that we are approaching middle age! We have all lived separate lives outside the band for a decade. We have started and ended careers, started families, moved around the country, etc. So, I feel bringing that perspective to these songs really influences things, somehow. This album has a lot of personal topics/stories that were never really explored in our previous works, now that we have the perspective of having loved ones that hold a lot of stake in our lives. Those aspects are probably inseparable from our music now.
Was there a particular reason for the gap, or is it as simple as now feeling like the right time to release a new full-length?
The band was in a state of hiatus for a while, and a lot of personal growth occurred during that time. Our members moved all around the country, but we kept in constant contact. We had been discussing another album for a while. One day, we gained a larger audience via TikTok, completely outside our knowledge or effort, which was wild. With the new audience, zoom technology, and learning how to finally record/mix ourselves, it felt like no better time than now! And we love writing songs.
How did it feel to get back at it?
Felt great! We gelled back together immediately. Our band has spent so much time together and we all love each other, to the point that it seemed like wearing an old pair of underwear. Comforting. Ya know?
The new album feels like a completely different era for The Taxpayers. Did you set out from the beginning to try something new, or was it more of an organic development?
I’d say every album we have written has changed and grown our sound from the previous, but I agree that this album has been a big step for us. I am sure there was some incentive to do something new, but I would also like to think that we all have become “better” musicians over the last decade [laughs]. I definitely feel more control and mastery over my instrument than on Big Delusion Factory. And Rob has been doing his Song of The Week Club for a few years now… so if writing songs were doing push-ups, Rob would be a push-up king. Rob has literally written hundreds of songs since our last album, and these are just some of the best ones and some new sounds we have experimented with.
Circle Breaker takes the listener on quite an emotional ride with joyous highs and absolutely heartbreaking lows. Given the subject matter throughout and some of the real life experiences behind the songs, how challenging was the recording process for the album?
I would say there were definitely some challenges in recording some of these songs. Our band is a very empathetic crew and we all have LOTS of emotions we deal with, so that definitely came out a bit during our holed-up writing/recording session. I would be lying to say we did not have a few cry it out, heart to heart events during that week. Writing these songs definitely helped us process our losses and hopefully they can help other people in turn. Personally, this recording process helped me take steps to better myself and allow space for others’ emotions/breakthroughs. Playing music can really help with that sometimes.
Is there a certain level of hope or catharsis that results in just letting all of these emotions out into the world?
Definitely. I don’t really write the songs myself, I am our percussionist, but I have seen the positive force at our shows and in letters we receive. I think our band helps a lot people feel not so alone in this world and that there is hope. If anything, playing crazy punk drums for like two hours at a show gets a lot of demons out. So that helps [laughs].
The album cover has a tree stump with a sprout on it. I was immediately imagining the idea that no matter what, life goes on or that life finds a way. Is that what you were going for with the cover?
100 percent. It was inspired by something Andrew experienced personally. After the tragic loss of a family member, Andrew’s household was in a moment of mourning when the city came by and just fucking hacked down a beautiful tree in front of his house. Salt on the wound. But a few weeks later, Andrew saw new growth coming from the stump. It was poetic, ya know. Gave him a lot of comfort and he immediately had the image for our album cover. I love it. Feels appropriate.
If you had to pick one song from the new album that does the best job of expressing where The Taxpayers are as people and as a band in 2025, which would it be and why?
Goddamn, tough question! I guess face value, “Everything Will Be Different.” Because, cause well… it will be. But lyrically and sonically, I think “At War With The Dogcatchers” is a great snapshot.
Are there any songs from the new album that you’re particularly excited about performing live to support Circle Breaker?
I think we are gonna play most of these songs, if not all, at our Midwest shows. But, I suppose I am looking forward to playing “Outline of Your Blood” the most. In November, before we played our first show of our Australian tour, I received news that my dad died. At our show, I gave a Eulogy for him and we played that song afterwards. I am hoping when playing that song again, I will feel close to him while doing it. I will probably cry after every performance of that for a while. Miss you Dad.
What is a typical Taxpayers live show like?
A lot of joy and a lot of love. We get a little goofy at times and we encourage everyone to lift each other up. Our shows are super energetic, so you’ll definitely get a work out if you allow yourself. But, we also strive to have a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. And we mean it. Our shows are always all ages, no jerks allowed, have fun.
What does success look like for you in 2025?
Making it through the year in one piece! And I suppose having enough success to keep justifying leaving my poor family while I go play punk shows hundreds of miles away.
Do you have any words of advice for new bands looking to make their mark?
Be uncompromising. I dunno. [laughs]. I feel like our band is perhaps one of the last that should be writing the playbook on what a band should do to “succeed,” but I know being firm and uncompromising in our beliefs has been the core to our band’s longevity. If something smells fishy or inauthentic, we don’t do it. Give a fuck.
Any last words?
Fuck the moon.