Ahead of their upcoming show at the Fox Theater this Saturday, The Story So Far’s guitarist, Will Levy, talked to DoTheBay about what the band’s been up to and where they're going headed into the new year.
photo via The Story So Far
The Story So Far is made up of Levy, lead singer Parker Cannon, bassist Kelen Capener, guitarist Kevin Geyer, and drummer Ryan Torf. Signed to Pure Noise Records right out of Berkeley, the East Bay is welcoming the band back home in Oakland this weekend.
The group planted its roots in Walnut Creek back in 2010, when the iPad was a new invention and “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy was unavoidable over radio waves. The members have since cemented their place in the Bay Area music scene each year since landing spots on Vans Warped Tour and opening for bands like Coheed and Cambria. But The Story So Far’s current level of fame was never something the guys had in mind:
“We just wanted to tour the states and have a full-length record and that was it — that was the goal in 2010,” Levy said. “We just wanted to see the country and play music and that was it… almost a decade later, here we are.”
Last year, the pop-punk legends released their first album since 2015, Proper Dose. “I think everyone connected to it sonically and musically,” Levy said. “Everybody had a lot of input with it and we came through a lot of obstacles to get that record complete — once it was all done, it was really rewarding.”
For some bands, that long of a break can weigh down on a fanbase. But if there’s anything that pop-punk has proven over the long years of Warped Tour and aggressive pointing during live sets, it’s that fans never get sick of the crowd surfing and the loud Saturday nights.
“We’re pretty fortunate that it’s been as great as it is,” Levy said. “I don’t think much has changed — there’s just a lot of great positive energy.”
He continued: “There’s been a lot of people growing with us who have been there since day one or early days,” Levy said. “That’s pretty special — we feel that connection, we appreciate it. We’re super grateful for that.”
Now on tour with the packed lineup of Just Friends, HUNNY and The Frights, The Story So Far is on the road and keeping busy before the last date in Oakland. “There are always different challenges that you have to navigate around, but it keeps it fresh and a little bit exciting,” Levy said around the tour. “Nothing too crazy where it ruins the experience — it’s been pretty positive.”
A decade into their career, The Story So Far has played venues all across the East Bay. “There’s a lot of history in the punk rock/punk scene, so it’s cool that we can be a part of that,” Levy said. “We’re pretty proud to be from the Bay Area.”
Having spent so much time in the Bay, the members don’t only stop by venues when it's their time to perform. From time to time, you can find Levy at 924 Gilman or The Fillmore, some of his favorite local venues, supporting some of his favorite artists.
The Story So Far played countless shows at 924 Gilman back in the early 2010s, and this particular venue holds special to the guitarist. “It’s got an energy that you can’t really replicate anywhere,” Levy said. “It’s just a real little stage, but it’s a pretty special room.”
For the time being, the band is doing what it does best: hanging out, playing music and having a good time. “You know,” Levy paused to laugh, “there are no plans, really … We’ll probably try and make some music at some point, but there’s really no pressure.”
Catch Will Levy playing in The Story So Far this Saturday night in Oakland at the Fox Theater — they’re sure to send the Bay Area upside down.
Written by Skylar De Paul
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