Quicksand: Bringing It On
New York post hardcore heroes QUICKSAND have made a welcome return with their new album Bring On The Psychics, their first in five years and it is a sublime record from start to finish, one that encapsulates all that is great about their music. We caught up with guitarist Walter Schreifels to hear all about the new album, the return of QUICKSAND, and what the band have planned next.
We kick off with Walter explaining that he has even more enthusiasm than ever bringing out a new record with Bring On The Psychics. “It’s always exciting to have a new album out. There’s so much work that goes into it and kind of defines an era but this one is special, there’s just been more excitement around it than usual.”
Walter goes on to explain that the new album combines all the eras of QUICKSAND, from the intensity of their early albums from the 90s through to more vivid recent material. “I do I feel like we brought along all the things that we’ve picked up over the years, but we’re also more in touch with the early aspects of what got us so excited to make a band in the first place, it’s been an evolution that in some ways brought us right back to our origin.”
He then goes to describe what influenced this new record the most. “The experiences we had on tour with HOT WATER MUSIC and REFUSED last year definitely had a big influence on us in terms of making an album that’s more live/body oriented than a sort of record that’s more set for listening. I wanted the lyrics to be more anthemic, too, which I think gives it a different flavour than our past couple of records, I think both HOT WATER MUSIC and REFUSED inspired that.”
QUICKSAND also filmed music videos for four tracks from Bring On The Psychics on one day, as Walter explains. “We were very fortunate to meet up with director Jesse Korman who found this really awesome Severance type location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We didn’t have a lot of time to make videos so the idea of doing multiples in one day came about and Jesse really did such a fantastic job of working with the limitations to get four distinct looks out of it. It was a very fun day really happy with how that turned out!”
Talk then turns to the bands recent European tour as Walter tells of the highlights of the run. “We love touring Europe. It’s always fun and this was no exception. We were there during the heat wave which was a little unusual, though. I really loved playing some of the new songs and doing more festival appearances which we haven’t done in a minute! We are playing some of the songs for the new album for the first time and the reception was so good so we had a great time.”
The tour ended with a show at the Outbreak Fest in Manchester, and Walter was thrilled at playing the festival again, as QUICKSAND went down a storm. “Outbreak was fantastic. Seeing so many of my peers sat side stage for the CONVERGE show was incredible and my daughter came with me so it was really cool for her to see what I do and the kind of music we get grouped with. I’ve played Outbreak three times now and it’s always just so awesome. Our set was wonderful in the audience was fantastic!”
With Bring On The Psychics out now, a welcome return to the UK is something to look forward to as Walter reveals. “We’re planning to be back in the UK in the new year. We would love to play as many cities over there that we can!” QUICKSAND are also heading out on the road on a US tour with BANE and SOUL BLIND, which Walter is looking forward to, as the band’s record release show for Bring On The Psychics at Rough Trade in New York went so well. “The record release show was awesome. So many fans, friends, young peeps and OGs, Rough Trade in New York is so cool. The staff is amazing and was wonderful sitting around after just talking to fans and was a wonderful event.”
QUICKSAND have toured with everyone from HELMET, FUGAZI and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE to DEFTONES, SNAPCASE and WHITE ZOMBIE over the years, and Walter tells of his happiness that we had been able to do so. “I loved playing with all those bands whenever I’m out on tour I’m always learning and these are some of the best bands that have existed in my lifetime. It’s so wonderful to travel in their company and learn from the best.”
Walter then tells of the experience of celebrating the classic Manic Compression album last year in 2025, celebrating the record’s landmark 30 year anniversary from 1995. “Celebrating Manic Compression was so cool and somewhat surreal. It’s still feels fresh in so many ways to me, still echoing for 30 years. I’m really proud of us for haven’t gotten it done and humbled by the fact that people still discover it.”
We conclude this great interview with Walter telling us how excited he is with QUICKSAND and what will happen next. “We’re so happy with the response that Bring On The Psychics is getting that we can’t help but think about what the next record will be and what story that will tell. We’re stacking riffs!”
Bring On The Psychics is out now via Equal Vision Records/Rude Records. View this interview, alongside dozens of other killer bands, in glorious print magazine fashion in DS133 here.
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