Written by Ian Blechschmidt

Just so you know, Unjust's trip to Anchorage, Alaska was insane (“full of 1200 crazy fans,” says bass player Eric Wong). Not long before, vocalist Paul Mendoza had a few things to say to Indiesoundz about how this could just be the year of Unjust.


So your third album, Glow, has been out for a few months now. Are you happy with the response it's been getting?

So far it's been great. It has actually been released for over a year and half though. The love for this album has been great though, a lot of great responses.

A couple of times on your site you mention that Glow is a real landmark for you guys. Could you elaborate on that a little bit?

Well, I think Glow was the first time that we where able to really do what we wanted to do. We all really meshed well with it and just jumped into it.

Do you feel that this success puts pressure on you for the next album?

Well, I think in a sense it does. Never looked at it that way. I feel that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves with every album also. We always want them to get better and better.

Do you guys consider yourselves more a studio band or a live band? Do you get more amped in front of a crowd or hearing a finished recording for the first time?

It's a bit weird, I feel we're great at both. We love the studio process of opening up, but with that said you can't beat a live show where everyone sings along with you and the people going ape shit. So I'd say we're definitely both.

One of your shows coming up (or just passed, I guess, depending on when we post this) is a benefit for Cystic Fibrosis. Is this an important cause for you guys?

It is. Actually as I type this I'm in the van on the way to that show.haha. We try to do as many shows for these type of charities as we can. A huge inspiration on Glow was a friend of mine that passed a way from Cancer. It changed my views on life itself, There are a few songs on Glow that where written for him.

Is doing "socially conscious" (or otherwise beneficial) things with your music something that's important to you? For musicians in general?

I think it is. Bands don't do it enough. There are a lot of bands that go around and talk politics and such and their distastes with certain views. We feel it as well, but diseases and illnesses are taking loved ones from the inside and deserve the same treatment.

On a related note, what do you think about the fact that a relatively large number (it seems to me, anyway) of artists are being so vocal in this year's election campaigns? Does music have a place in politics?

Well, I feel people have the right to whatever they want to talk about. If it actually makes sense or not, then that is on them. Some people just sound stupid and it's hilarious. We have views on most of these subjects. We all don't like casualties — with that said, there are a lot of casualties in our own house that wreak havoc on us as people, be [they] fatal or not. As musicians we are able to express our very utmost feelings and that's a great thing. Musicians, like [other] people, just need to remember that respect and compassion need to be upheld. Don't just say "I hate Bush" because it's cool to. Say it because you truly feel it.

Who has had the biggest influence on your music?

Hehe, there are definitely a few. Bjork is my queen of all that is music. Faith No More was huge in my development, overall they are one of the last great bands ever. And my older brother Chris and Mother had a lot to do with my musical views, they introduced music to me when I was a child and helped me carry out my dream.

Top 5 albums of all time?

Faith No More — Angel Dust
Bjork — Post
Depeche Mode — Violator
Radiohead — The Bends
Metallica — Ride the Lightning
What's in your CD player right now?
Unjust — Working Demos. Yes, they exist.haha.
Bjork — Medulla
My Chemical Romance — the new one
Snow Patrol
South
There are so many. haha

What's next for you guys? Is this going to be "The Year of Unjust"?

Definitely, huge things are coming. Glow has definitely helped us with the recognition and we plan to grow upon it. We are currently finishing our next album right now with the help of Billy Gould. We couldn't be any more happy with our relationship with him. Just wait. It's gonna be awesome.