Doomed Confessionary: Mike Cummings (Boozewa)
Formed in 2020 in Coatseville, Pennsylvania, Boozewa charge headlong into their art with love and reckless abandon. They find inspiration in the people, places, and other bands that they love, drawing pieces from each to create bombastic, thrilling, often humorous sludge-punk.
Each member brings a unique voice to the band, backed by over 20 years of experience with touring across the US and on world tours with other bands. The members have all collaborated with each other in some form since 2003, then formed Boozewa in 2020 when drummer and vocalist Mike Cummings aka mRc (Backwoods Payback) taught himself to play the drums so they did not need to search for a drummer. Mike is joined by Jessica Baker (Backwoods Payback) on bass and Rylan Caspar on guitar.
Boozewa worked tirelessly to release 3 EPs from 2020 to 2022, and finally unleashed their full-length debut album »Bon Vivant« in July 2024 via DeepRest Records. The band took their time in crafting a clever, atmospheric album that captures their vision. The album pulls from a range of influences, including Modest Mouse, Sonic Youth, and Melvins, to create a collection of songs that are inspired by the bands, people, and places that Boozewa’s members love.
Experimental and personal, the album demonstrates the band’s love for music and for creating art that transcends stylistic boundaries. The songs say exactly what they need to say without feeling a need to conform to any outside expectations.
Can you say a few words about your band?
BOOZEWA started up in the basement back in the summer of 2020. We are all living together and in other bands but ended up only being able to hang and jam with each other. Fast forward 5 years and its become its own pretty cool fun thing.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
For me personally I think the biggest challenge has been playing drums am singing at the same time. I essentially taught myself how to play and am just trying to serve the songs as best as I can.
What can you be most proud of so far?
We do everything 100% ourselves. The first two recordings were done at the house on our 4 track cassette recorder. Hand dubbed all the tapes and screened all the merch ourselves. Its entirely an in house operation and we wouldnt have it any other way.
What was your biggest regret?
NO REGRETS!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We did a nice run of shows in the US in July of 2024 that included a few with our buddies in CKY. Sold out shows and fun times were had the whole time. Family from way back when!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I love hearing new stuff every day. I dont think I get too surprised by artists in general but I LOVE the new wave of noise and inward speaking heavy music that’s happening right now.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
The new BRONCO record is KILLER! Chat Piles new record is always on rotation and Tropical Fuck Storms last two records are must listens.
Photo by Dante Torrieri
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Make music for yourself. Play for yourself and you’ve already won.
What are your guilty pleasures?
We don’t believe in guilty pleasures. Why be guilty about things that bring you joy!?
Can you say something more about current music scene in Pennsylvania?
PA is really popping off again as far as bands. Burning Hag, IND EYE VID, the new Pissed Jeans, Rid Of Me, dare I say ourselves…its a great time to be a music lover in the Philly region.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
BOOZEWA will be on the road for most of July/August in the USA this summer. Dates get announced in a month or so. mRc is heading back to Europe this November as well after his tour supporting boysetsfire and Strike Anywhere in fall of 2024.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We have a record that came out last July and we are still VERY stoked on that (»Bon Vivant«), but we have a new EP dropping this summer as well as a split with a killer band called NOWHERE…SOO MUCH MUSIC!
How can people best support your band?
Our Bandcamp boozewa.bandcamp.com is the best place to grab music and merch and stay up to date on tours.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Don’t Be Denied <3
Links:
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Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well