Bio
SPARES formed in a Portland, Oregon basement in the fall of 2022. Drummer John Massel, guitarist Ryan Shanahan, and bassist Mike Vera—veterans of bands associated with Deep Elm and No Idea Records—came together without a specific sound in mind, united by a shared desire to create music they loved. As a trio, they quickly developed a handful of promising songs. Their sound gained depth in the winter of 2022 with the addition of guitarist Mike Large, a North Carolina transplant and member of Youth League, along with vocalist Gabriel Mathews.
With their lineup solidified, SPARES hit their creative stride, writing eight songs and selecting six for their self-titled debut EP, released through Columbus, OH-based Better Days Will Haunt You. The remaining two tracks appeared on a split release with Durham, North Carolina’s Treasure Pains, put out on vinyl by Council Records and digitally by Wiretap RecordsI .
SPARES draw from a wide range of influences. Listeners will hear echoes of DC’s Revolution Summer era, the noise rock of Touch & Go and AmRep in the ’90s, the angular post-hardcore of San Diego’s underground scene, and the raw energy of indie icons like Sonic Youth and Unwound.
Balancing beauty and grit, SPARES don’t just emulate their influences—they expand upon them. Their music is post-hardcore guitar-driven chaos, crafted for the musically restless.
