Getting to Know… Jawfane | Interview

In the 513^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the Nashville metalcore band, Jawfane. 

Jesse Marquez asserts about the performance approach of his band, Jawfane. Chase Schumann adds, “I’d say we definitely have a field day with sound guys, because we all sing/scream in the group.” Jesse and Chase provide the inside scoop on the Nashville metalcore band, which also includes Cory Pack and AJ Chacon, that was “formed out of a need to express ourselves in new and exciting ways.” So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Jawfane: Interview No. 513!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Jesse: Our approach to performing. All of us are involved in vocals, and it can become obvious very quickly how tight-knit a team we are. We’re all involved, there’s never anyone taking a back seat. The audience picks that up very quickly and helps imbue a sense of camaraderie that we want to leave you all with. We’re all involved in this together.

Chase: For the band, I’d say we definitely have a field day with sound guys, because we all sing/scream in the group. And for myself, I get a lot of looks and compliments for some of the makeup decisions I make. Painted black arms and neck, and whatever color combination I do for the eyes. And we definitely jump around a lot, bring back some of those punk elements to how we act on stage.

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Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Jawfane form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

Jesse: Jawfane was formed out of a need to express ourselves in new and exciting ways. To be able to say what we felt we couldn’t, and that, hopefully, we can help someone do the very same for themselves. Even one person makes a difference.

Chase: Well, we in Jawfane are a post-COVID band. And Cory and I are from a pre-COVID band, and after being bored in our houses and apartments, we decided we wanted to get our musical feet moving again. And our goal really was just to make music and hope that people liked what we were cooking. That and music for us isn’t a hobby, it’s quite literally a lifestyle, so making music is just in our DNA.

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Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or perspectives changed since you first started? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Jesse: Yes, and also no…my main goal has always been, “Please don’t screw this up.” Hahah. Self-Improvement is at the center of my motivations. It’s always fun to feel yourself evolving into who you were meant to be. Those feelings have continued on into the present and continue to drive me into our next adventure.

Chase: Goals have somewhat stayed the same, making music and hoping it reaches the right ears. It has always been the main one for us. But some others that we have currently. Would be to play bigger and better shows, do more cool videos, play in more states, and write the best album that we can. Also, [I] would love to open up for some bigger bands.

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Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Jesse: Chester Bennington…if it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would be in this kind of music. Linkin Park was a favorite growing up. There’s the band Faunts, whose melodies and ambiance helped lay the groundwork for what I do now. Their ability to create a space as sonically vibrant as they do has helped me understand how to play my own instrument for a while now. Recently, it’s been Nine Inch Nails. I can’t believe I took so long to listen to them, though it’s probably a good thing; I’d have been insufferable, hahahah.

Chase:  Well… me personally, I’m the designated Tool fan, so all of those guys and the way they do things are some stuff I want to achieve. Green Day, because without them, I don’t think I’d have picked up an instrument. And I’m a big fan of Chevelle, AFI’s songwriting style, and how they compose their stuff. Simple but definitely not easy.

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Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Jesse: Happy to say we run a tight ship and have had no real incidents during a show. A moment comes to mind, though, of near disaster. In the first lineup of Jawfane, Paul Graham, our vocalist at the time, nearly passed out mid-song. It was the dead of summer in Alabama at a music festival. Though we were on a stage that was covered, it offered no protection from the humidity. I watched that man’s expression fade in half a second as his eyes rolled to the back of his head, but Paul caught himself and steadied. Finished the show. Chase the bassist nearly yakked about 6 times from overheating. Had never seen our drummer at the time, (Zach Cenate) or guitarist (Cory Pack) that red before. The rest of that show was…it is its own kind of fun. We were offered watermelon moonshine. Helped a lot, hahahah.

Chase: Well, I’d say this was an after-show thing where we got paid in moonshine. That was a crazy night in Alabama. But during a performance, I’d say we played a show at a game shop and had 3 to 6-year-olds starting a circle pit. That was kind of awesome.

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To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Jesse: I would say it’s “Time Hunts Us All.” It was the rebirth of Jawfane, showing what we can do moving forward. Every single member is singing, or screaming, or chanting. It all coalesces in a way that feels nearly overwhelming in a way. Performing it live gets us, the audience, and anyone listening riled up.

Chase: For me, I love playing “Witness Marks.” It’s one of the first songs I got to really set the bones for, and it’s very bass-heavy. But currently, I love “Time Hunts Us All.” Because of the story behind the lyrics, and I’m very busy vocally and with the bass, it’s one of the tougher ones to play. But it’s a loose story of your favorite superhero in a fistfight with Time.

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Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Jawfane? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?  

Jesse:  I’m better at Sonic games than you, and I can do a double backflip effortlessly. Completely unaffected by a tall glass of whole milk, which goes great with Chicken ramen, by the way.

Chase: I’m getting back into D&D and trying my hand at being a DM I like telling stories, coming up with scenarios that are hilarious, and seeing how well people can take down my villains.

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What is Jawfane currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Jesse:  Right now, we’re deep in the writing and recording of our debut LP, which we’ll share more on when we’re ready. All I can say right now is that we’re shaping it up to be the best it can be, and we’re excited to reach a point where we can show you something!

But for now, check out our single, “Raise,” featuring Paulsdeeep, our original vocalist. It’s a collab that’s been in the works for a while, and we’re really happy that we could finally share this song with the world.

Chase: Well were elbow deep in a few projects, some are coming sooner than others, but on March 10^th, we realized a song that’s been in our back pocket for years, and we got our OG Vocalist to come back for it. And we’re grinding away on a new album, but there’s gonna be a few more things that happen before that. So, keep those eyes peeled.

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Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Jesse: Thanks so much for having us. Best of luck in your endeavors as well!

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Getting to Know… Jawfane: Interview No. 513 (2026) [📷: Jawfane]

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