Aggressive pop-punk band Stage Moms have released their cathartic new single “231” and announced their forthcoming EP ‘Almost Heaven…Feels Like Hell,’ to be self-released on March 12. The new song is an ode to 2020 and an attempt to continue on in 2021, even when faced with hard times.
Frontman Gage Vota shares, “‘231’ is about the loss of the venue I owned called Thunderbirds. The song is all about dealing with loss and trying to put all the pieces back together.” Thunderbirds was a local mainstay for live music and great times in Moundsville, WV, where the band is from. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and the ongoing quarantine, the local venue was forced to close its doors. Since then, Gage and Stage Moms have given their all to making the most of their music and putting the band first.
“231” serves as a universal anthem for the music industry and for the ones who have suffered greatly during this last year. The song is cyclical in its emotions, ranging from anger, and helplessness, to strength, and fight. It’s an endless battle to carry on.
He sings: “I started this year sleeping on a bench, and now I’ll end it by sleeping in my bed… I guess that’s progress.” This year has been a battle of mental perspectives for everyone and it’s a rock anthem with a specifically touching story attached to it, because even as rough as this year has been for the band, they’re hoping new music will turn things around.
Stage Moms are also releasing a lyric video for “231” today in honor of Thunderbirds with tons of home footage. The intro reads “The following video is dedicated to the many people who helped make the Thunderbirds dream a reality, and to the artists and fans that called it home. Long live Thunderbirds. OVDIY forever.”