A Dirty Dozen with COREY GLOCKNER from TAKEN DAYS – September 2023

According to a recent press release: “Taken Days is a melodic pop punk rock trio from Orange County, California. In early 2023 Taken Days finished their second full-length album. Working again with producer Cameron Webb, but on this endeavor, they spend over one year crafting the songs through rehearsals, demos, and preproduction meetings. This effort has enhanced the band’s songwriting dynamic to include a faster and edgier sound, while not abandoning the band’s mid-tempo/ pop punk/ emo/ big chorus with the two lead singers’ signature sound. This latest release will surely become a fan favorite and turn the heads of others who had not previously given the band their attention. The new album titled Any Minute will be released through Sbam Records in the fall of 2023. There are no signs of Taken Days slowing down, as they continue to work towards earning their seat as a staple in the pop punk genre.” We get bassist and vocalist Corey to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We were a lot more diverse with our subjects in this album than the last. Lyric wise, the last album was much more about loss, isolation, and figuring out where to go from there. There’s a lot more we talk about on this album, from love to loss to partying to self discovery, I think it has a little something for everyone. We have a few Easter eggs, but we wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Speaking for myself, I think the moment I knew I wanted to do music for the rest of my life was when I saw Green Day at the Long Beach Arena back in 2004. I had won tickets to the VMAs on KROQ earlier that year, but because I was a minor at the time, I couldn’t go. KROQ was so cool though that they still gave me spending money (which I spent on my first real guitar) and tickets to two different Green Day shows. The Long Beach show had Sugarcult, New Found Glory, and then Green Day. It’s one of my core pop punk memories.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Billie Joe Armstrong was a huge influence growing up. But the Offspring’s album Conspiracy of One was my gateway drug. I remember I got into it because my friends wanted to do a talent show when I was in the 5th grade. I remember writing a song and showing it to my parents telling them all I was going to be in a band one day.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Davey Havok. Mainly because I want him to be my best friend.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I love writing and practicing. One of the things I look forward to most after studio time or shows is putting what I’ve learned to good use. Other than music I love movies, video games, working out, and spending time with my little dog.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

There’s a little area between Blink 182 and Alkaline trio. I’d tell people that Taken Days resides somewhere there. I don’t think I’ve ever had a cringe comparison moment, but when we first started, a lot of people said we sounded like All or the Descendants. While I completely disagree with that, I was very flattered to hear that.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Landon usually cooks, Brent makes sure we’re not drinking, and I’d definitely be the sing along guy. Sorry to everyone I’ve ever partied with. I never played “Wonderwall” though! But maybe…

8 When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Brent’s old band was opening for TSOL one night. He was cool enough to get me all access. As I was walking around I saw Noodles from the Offspring. I had told a friend that I needed a picture with this guy. He was really cool, took the picture, and I told him he made a pop punk kid really happy. He then said “what?” and I replied “never mind, thank you!”. Sorry Noodles, you’re just so cool to me!!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part about being a musician is creating. I could never draw, or do anything visual as a kid, but I always had to urge to create. Music ended up being my paint brush. If I wasn’t doing music, I think I’d want to be a teacher. Like an elder emo teacher.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted to go more in depth with our songs and the meanings behind them. Obviously that would be a lot to answer right now, but we would love to have that conversation. A question I’m tired of being asked is “How did you get in here?”

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Missteps can lead to the right steps, if you’re willing to learn from it. So no, every mistake I’ve made up to this point has helped me grow into the musician I am today.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d have to say Enema of the State. Jerry Finn just always brought the best out in Blink. I feel similar about Cameron Webb with Taken Days. The album means a lot more to me than just that though. I’ll never forget trying to find the best “party” music when I was getting into Junior High. I was at a friend’s house one night and he had his computer on. He looked at me said “I found it” then proceeded to play the first song on the album, “Dumpweed.” I was hooked after that.

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Category: Interviews