I am glad to finally be able to reveal PropertyOfZack’s newest feature: Showcase. Showcase will be a kind of “Unsigned Spotlight” for new and young bands who are interested in being exposed through the site. We will be making frequent use out of Showcase in the future, so if you would like to inquire about getting your band on the feature, you can send an email here. We’re excited about this feature, so give these unsigned bands a listen!

PropertyOfZack decided to kickoff the feature with State Champs, a band that we see becoming a big player in the pop-punk world within just a few years. Hailing from Upstate New York, the unsigned band released an extremely impressive EP, Apparently, I’m Nothing, to begin the year on January 1st. Along with a new EP, the band has played shows with The Ataris, Man Overboard, and will be playing a CD release show with Bayside on January 14th. Check out the bands answers to their questionnaire and the stream of their EP below:

For Fans Of: I Call Fives, Man Overboard, Such Gold, and The Starting Line.

How did the band come together? How have you grown since you guys started?
We had all been mutual friends prior to playing music together. For reasons unknown, in the spring of 2010 our bassist reached out to Tyler, our guitarist, about starting a southern rock band. Tyler and I had always wanted to start something serious as we had been playing shows together for a while before State Champs in separate heavy-mosh bands in junior high. So I was brought in to the project along with an old guitarist of mine, Dave, who came along. We went through a few different drummers before finding one as “interesting” as our existing, Matt Croteau. Somehow we ended up writing pop-punk songs because they were the most enjoyable and what we are all influenced by. However, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We haven’t been a band for long, so I think the majority of our growing has yet to begin. 

What do you have to offer that other bands don’t? What sets you apart from a lot of the other newer bands out there today?
Being a new band is something to cherish. We were just that no name local band that came out of no where and everyone dug it either because they actually enjoyed our music, wanted to be cool and promote things nobody knew about yet, or just thought our name was sweet. Regardless, stuff like this happens to a lot of new bands, they get way in over their heads and think they’re the next big thing and think there’s no more effort that needs to be put forth. We are workers, and are always looking for ways to progress as a band, and not settling while we think we’re cool. The holy grail is for others to back us through the long haul while we continue to write and perform music we enjoy and do everything we can to push that.

How is the live show compared to the general sound of material that’s been released?
The live show for any band is always more energetic (I hope). I’d like to say our released material and live show tend to equal each other out, however, I’d much rather show a person State Champs through our live set rather than just giving them a CD. The live show should reflect a bands total personality and that’s what we always try to convey: Goofy dudes jumping around having an awesome time with our friends. 
 
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We listen to a lot of everything. Bands that have paved the way when we were growing up range from New Found Glory, Fallout Boy, Yellowcard, and Simple Plan, to Everytime I Die, It Dies Today, Thrice, and The Starting Line. We still listen to a lot of these bands currently along with bands that we believe are currently doing it right in all different genres such as Man Overboard, Transit, Algernon Cadwallader, Trapped Under Ice, and Emarosa. It’s kind of weird when I think about it.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
Like I said before, we still have a lot of growing to do as a band. However, I feel, being able to write and play music we enjoy for others is an accomplishment if I’ve ever seen one. Having two small releases thus far, sharing it with our friends and making a ton of new ones along the way is a great start to something we hope to take as far as we can.
 
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
Oh boy, most of our “quirky” incidents probably wouldn’t make sense or seem nearly as comical to anyone, which sucks, you can use this video as a recent example. Maybe you’ll see what I mean, [Laughs].

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Girls suck. Keep it posi. But seriously, if anyone’s taken the time to read this entire interview it means so much. Also, if anyone makes it out to a performance of ours, make sure you say what’s up. We’re down to earth and like making friends. Thanks for listening and keep supporting real music.

Check out State Champs on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and iTunes.

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