In "SOUND CHECK," we check in with some of our favorite musicians.
Despite the stereotype of on-edge hardcore musicians, when we caught up with Californian band Ceremony before their set at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas, the guys were super friendly—even smiley. The hardcore-punk band riles up a crowd in a rare way, with much credit to front man Ross Farrar’s hyperactive energy and erratic antics. From pulling his shirt over his face to participating in stage-diving and moshing with the thrashers, his sense of humor and liveliness thrive during live sets. We talked spirit animals, Crass, and forehead tats with the band at the laid-back Texas fest.
Fill in the blanks: Our band is _______ and our music is ______.
Our band is punk and our music is good.
As teenagers, whose style did you admire?
Andy: The Ramones
Jake: The Ramones and Will Smith
Ross: Crass. I used to wear Crass and Conflict patches on my jacket, right next to each other.
Favorite thing to do when you’re not playing music?
Jake: Video games, basketball, and weed
Ross: School, work, and skateboard
What’s the strangest thing a fan has given you?
Ross: A dashing young lady got a forehead tattoo of one of our lyrics.
What’s your spirit animal?
Ross: A shark, a FIERCE PITBULL, or something girly like a fawn.
Jake: A gazelle
Andy: Since I’m from Philly, I feel like I have to say a diseased rat.
Who’s your dream band to tour with?
Ross: Crass, just kidding. Transit would be cool.
Where’s the weirdest place you’ve played?
Alaska was cool. We played there two days in a row at the same venue with the same crowd. Iceland was also cool. Mexico City was sketch but the show was awesome. We also played the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge here in Austin.
What’s in the cards for you in the upcoming months?
Writing a record, and playing shows at NYU, Berkeley, and Santa Rosa. It’s finals week for the NYU show, and we’re meant to be the stress relief for them. We can say cool shit like “Burn your term papers!” We'll be playing with our babes White Lung and Perfect Pussy.
Check out more of our MUSIC COVERAGE | Listen to OC'S CHANNEL on Soundcloud![]()
Jake Casarotti (drums), Andy Nelson (guitar), and Ross Farrar (vocals)
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Anthony Anzaldo (with guitar) at FFF Fest
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Ross Farrar at FFF Fest
Despite the stereotype of on-edge hardcore musicians, when we caught up with Californian band Ceremony before their set at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas, the guys were super friendly—even smiley. The hardcore-punk band riles up a crowd in a rare way, with much credit to front man Ross Farrar’s hyperactive energy and erratic antics. From pulling his shirt over his face to participating in stage-diving and moshing with the thrashers, his sense of humor and liveliness thrive during live sets. We talked spirit animals, Crass, and forehead tats with the band at the laid-back Texas fest.
Fill in the blanks: Our band is _______ and our music is ______.
Our band is punk and our music is good.
As teenagers, whose style did you admire?
Andy: The Ramones
Jake: The Ramones and Will Smith
Ross: Crass. I used to wear Crass and Conflict patches on my jacket, right next to each other.
Favorite thing to do when you’re not playing music?
Jake: Video games, basketball, and weed
Ross: School, work, and skateboard
What’s the strangest thing a fan has given you?
Ross: A dashing young lady got a forehead tattoo of one of our lyrics.
What’s your spirit animal?
Ross: A shark, a FIERCE PITBULL, or something girly like a fawn.
Jake: A gazelle
Andy: Since I’m from Philly, I feel like I have to say a diseased rat.
Who’s your dream band to tour with?
Ross: Crass, just kidding. Transit would be cool.
Where’s the weirdest place you’ve played?
Alaska was cool. We played there two days in a row at the same venue with the same crowd. Iceland was also cool. Mexico City was sketch but the show was awesome. We also played the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge here in Austin.
What’s in the cards for you in the upcoming months?
Writing a record, and playing shows at NYU, Berkeley, and Santa Rosa. It’s finals week for the NYU show, and we’re meant to be the stress relief for them. We can say cool shit like “Burn your term papers!” We'll be playing with our babes White Lung and Perfect Pussy.
Check out more of our MUSIC COVERAGE | Listen to OC'S CHANNEL on Soundcloud
Jake Casarotti (drums), Andy Nelson (guitar), and Ross Farrar (vocals) 
Anthony Anzaldo (with guitar) at FFF Fest
Ross Farrar at FFF Fest