Chris Shaw breaks down Memo PST's 'Eternal Actors' and his punk roots

Memo PST frontman Chris Shaw appeared on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday (Aug. 18) to talk about Eternal Actors, the band's latest album. Speaking with host Chuck Armstrong, Shaw said he felt good about the record throughout its making, from finishing the artwork to mastering and finally hearing the test press, each step bringing the release closer to reality.

The approach behind Eternal Actors differed from his past work. Shaw said the band demoed the entire album, something he has done only a handful of times in his career. Those demo sessions followed a long stretch of writing with Orville Neeley, and Shaw believes the groundwork paid off. In his view, the time and effort put into the process is audible on the finished record.

Shaw's résumé stretches across Vile Nation, Ex-Cult and GØGGS, and he described music as his primary form of artistic expression for as long as he can remember. He began singing in punk bands as a teenager and never stepped away. His introduction to counterculture music came through his older sister and her friends, who played him the alternative rock that skaters and surfers were listening to at the time.

The real turning point came at the Caravan, an all-ages venue in Memphis that hosted shows nearly every night. Still in high school, Shaw admitted he had to invent reasons to get out of the house and win over his parents. Watching friends play in opening slots at the club, he realized he could go beyond supporting the scene and start making noise of his own.

The full conversation is available on demand through Loudwire Nights, which airs weeknights at 7PM ET.