Feature / One Question Interviews
Kira Jari

Words: Loren • June 7, 2020

Kira Jari
Kira Jari

Avery (Kira Jari)

SPB: What was your favorite band in high school? Would you say they influence your ethics or songwriting in some way today? 

Avery: Out of everything occupying my headphones during high school, I’d say the most important band to me would have to be Against Me!. I wanna say I saw them 5 or 6 times back then. Those early records shaped everything from my political views, taught me how to be honest and true to myself, and opened my mind to the world of DIY punk. A band that showed me you didn’t have to be the best musicians or have the best voice, but to play your heart out and leave your guts out and always have fun. Just the raw intensity of those first few records easily changed my approach to playing and creating music, ever since I was 13.

— Loren • June 7, 2020

Kira Jari
Kira Jari

Related features

Fest 24 – The Wrap-Up

Music / Fest 24 • November 5, 2026

For those who follow the site, I've been to Fest a lot -- like, I lost count of how many times but it all started at FEST 6, which I think was in 2007. It's certainly about the music first, and I saw approximately 61 bands over 4 days, 3 … Read more

The World Needs To Hear Us: Twenty One Children

Interviews • November 5, 2026

On After The Storm, Twenty One Children strip away every slick, sanitized modern production trick imaginable. The Soweto trio -- vocalist Abdula Skink, guitarist Thulasizwe Nkosi, and drummer Biko -- play fast, heavy, lo-fi punk rock that welds the raw speed of mid-'80s U.S. skatepunk to the thick rhythm of … Read more

Freaks On Parade: Kepi Ghoulie

Regular Columns / Shrapnel Pop • November 5, 2026

A look back at Kepi Ghoulie’s September 2026 residency at MySpace PhoenixWelcome to Kepiland! Kepi Ghoulie did a month-long residency in Phoenix, AZ for September 2026, joined by friends and locals. So, I ventured out into the triple digit heat, to check it out. If you are not familiar with … Read more

Florida Men

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2026

Jouke (Florida Men – guitar)SPB: We all know Florida Man from hilarious headlines, what is the headline about the band Florida Men?Jouke: Florida Men Actually Not From Florida Read more

Deady

One Question Interviews • November 3, 2026

Chyppe Crosby (Deady)SPB: Louisville has had an incredibly deep underground music history, but what does the current Louisville punk scene give Deady that you don't think the band would have gotten growing up somewhere else?Crosby: I think the scene here is more familial. Most genres of music kind of coalesce … Read more

Related reviews

Kira Jari

Spooky Freaky EP
Dirt Cult (2019)

Spooky Freaky is a good debut from an intriguing new-ish band from Texas. Even if the EP name makes me think of “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” each time I read it.The band is similar in sound to a lot of bands I enjoy: Tiltwheel and Leatherface, for example — which is why it bugs me a little to say that one … Read more

More from this section

Florida Men

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2026

Jouke (Florida Men – guitar)SPB: We all know Florida Man from hilarious headlines, what is the headline about the band Florida Men?Jouke: Florida Men Actually Not From Florida Read more

Deady

One Question Interviews • November 3, 2026

Chyppe Crosby (Deady)SPB: Louisville has had an incredibly deep underground music history, but what does the current Louisville punk scene give Deady that you don't think the band would have gotten growing up somewhere else?Crosby: I think the scene here is more familial. Most genres of music kind of coalesce … Read more

Plastic Meat

One Question Interviews • November 2, 2026

Nerina (Plastic Meat – vocals)SPB: Is there a hyped band (or even TV show/movie) that you just can’t get into?Nerina: My bandmates are gonna kill me for this, but I think that Zeke is a super overrated band. I know everybody loves them and many people tell us that they … Read more