By: Taylor Berry
San Diego-based rock band The Reckless is gearing up to release its newest EP, Who Are You, which appears to mark a significant milestone in its musical journey. The EP seems to showcase the band’s growth, unity, and passion, featuring an array of personal and defiant tracks. Frontman Fritz Fayman sat down with us to discuss the inspiration behind the EP, the creative process, and what fans might expect from the band’s evolving sound.
For Fayman, the collaborative songwriting process was one of the most rewarding aspects of creating Who Are You. “The best part… was probably just the whole songwriting process itself with the band, being able to work with the band online… getting everyone else’s input… it was very cool to get that collective sound,” he explains. This is the first time the band seems to have truly embraced the collaborative effort, something they hadn’t fully done in previous projects where much of the music was written by Fayman and the drummer. With everyone’s input on this EP, they feel they have achieved the cohesive sound they were striving for.
The title track, “Who Are You,” was inspired by a personal experience with internet trolls. “The lyrics came from when we got our first kind of hate comment,” recalls Fayman. “We were like, dude, you don’t follow. You don’t know who we are.” The track became a defiant response to those who try to bring others down. “It’s more of just a reaction to that… who are these people to put you down?” says Fayman. The raw emotion that went into writing this song seems to be evident in its aggressive energy, which helps set the tone for much of the EP.
One of the most intriguing songs on the EP is “Do It For Free,” an anthem about following one’s passion despite the challenges and lack of financial reward. “It’s… a bit of a fear of, like, are we just kind of wasting our time?” Fayman admits. “But we love what we do. And, if we love it and we care about it, why stop?” The band expresses determination to continue their journey, even if they aren’t getting paid well yet. “We’re gonna keep working our asses off to get to that point.”
When asked about the possibility of an album, Fayman revealed that the band is likely already working on one. “We actually are [working on an album],” he shares. “We have a couple singles already we’re working on… our goal is to release an album sometime this year.” The band is also aiming to maintain a consistent release schedule, dropping singles every few months to keep fans engaged while they work on the whole album.
Each track on Who Are You appears to serve a unique purpose in the band’s larger narrative. The EP opens with the assertive and confrontational “Who Are You,” followed by “Do It For Free,” which balances defiance with vulnerability. The song “Home” takes a more reflective turn, with Fayman writing a love letter to rock music. “It’s just basically wherever they play the rock music, that’s where my home is,” he says. Fayman also explains how the band’s growth is reflected in their revisiting of an old track, “Go On.” Originally from the band’s first album, the song has been revamped to suggest how much the band has evolved since its inception.
As the band looks toward the future, Fayman is excited for what’s to come. “Our fans might have a fair amount to look forward to,” he says. The Reckless is already working on its next project and planning to expand its presence beyond San Diego. “We’re working on playing outside of San Diego a lot more,” Fayman reveals. “We’ve got new music coming soon too… people are likely gonna have a lot of fun.”
The Reckless is increasingly becoming more than just a group of musicians; they are a band on the rise, with a growing fanbase along for the ride. “We love making music… we wouldn’t be able to follow our dreams without you,” Fayman expresses to their supporters. “Every little thing that you do for artists like us goes such a long way.”
With the release of Who Are You, The Reckless seems ready to make their mark on the rock scene. Fans might expect a dynamic mix of raw energy, emotional depth, and an unapologetic commitment to their craft. Whether it’s the defiant anthem of the title track, the passionate plea of “Do It For Free,” or the personal reflection in “Home,” The Reckless appears to push boundaries and lets the world know exactly who they are.
Listen to Who Are You by The Reckless!
Published by Stephanie M.
