Postage takes on pop-punk licks
Singer-guitarist Mike Moak assembles old friends for a new sound
In the grand scheme of things, Postage is a relatively new band. The group played its first show in late 2017 and released its first EP of material a shade over four months ago. But the pop-punk quartet isn’t some group of plucky upstarts looking to make a name for themselves.
Postage is the brainchild of singer-guitarist Mike Moak from Albany-based punk band After the Fall. Started in 2000 when the thenaverill Park resident was 13, After the Fall has developed into a national and international touring act over the past two decades. Postage rose out of the downtime Moak had between After the Fall happenings.
“It was kind of, like, because of solo stuff,” Moak said, referencing the solo acoustic gigs he’d play locally when off the road. “It was so fun, enjoyable, I wanted to (also) do a band.
“After the Fall is in kind of a niche genre,” he continued. “I wanted to do pop-punk, something accessible, mid-tempo, catchy.”
To assemble this new band, Moak recruited members of After the Fall, utilizing ATF guitarist Tyler Paige and drummer Chris Millington. Eric
Pressman, bassist for local ’70s garage-punk band Mystery Girl and hardcore outfit Wet Specimens, rounds out the line-up and helps add a new dynamic to a core that’s played together since their teen years.
As Postage began to play and work on new tunes, Moak found that being able to transition from the skate punk and thrash-inspired tendencies that are the hallmarks of After the Fall to more hookier fare was easier than he anticipated.
“Well, we thought it was going to be hard, but it was comfortable,” he reflected. “We’ve been playing together over half our lives. I like playing music with the people I always play with.
“Eric moving here was such an awesome addition to the local music scene; he’s not jaded, he’s enthusiastic and positive,” Moak enthused. “Things are similar creatively, but Eric is such a cool component, especially since he hasn’t played with me for a decade. It’s a refreshing, positive thing. He helps us make the songs different.” Postage released its first EP digitally last October and on Saturday, will be playing a show at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany to celebrate its vinyl release. The six-act show is headlined by Dark Thoughts from Philadelphia and also features sets from Pressman’s other two bands. In mid-march, the band is hitting the road for a mini-tour. Postage is also in the studio for a follow-up EP for release this summer.
Once Postage wraps up its business, it’s back to work for After the Fall; Moak noted the group is planning two releases for 2019 and a tour in October. Currently, that group operates with long bursts of activity followed by a break in the action. With Postage, Moak has found the connections made through After the Fall of vital importance.
The Postage EP is being released by Paper and Plastick Records, the same imprint that put out After the Fall’s 2014 album “Unkind.” And for booking shows, Moak has been able to rely on a vast network of connections to get solid gigs in Western Massachusetts and Brooklyn. The ability to utilize these industry and artist alliances has helped make the business end of Postage “stressfree.”
“Through our reach with After the Fall, it was pretty effortless in getting out a release,” he said. “Things fell together easily.
“If I was 30 and kind of had to start from scratch, it would end up being more of a hobby, passion thing,” Moak continued. “If I didn’t spend all that time grinding, making all those friends, Postage wouldn’t be possible. It’s a breath of fresh air for me. My objective is to have fun no matter what.”
▶ Jim Shahen Jr. is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.