Under Exposed Artist Spotlight: Freshman 15
By: Cameron Conrad, Your Elder Emo Mom
You know the moment .
That feeling when the first few lines of a song land in your ear like lightning. You’ve never heard it before, but somehow you’re pretty sure this is your new favorite song. That’s how “Phoenix Can Keep You” by my new friends, Freshman 15 first hit me, and I haven’t stopped listening since. Go ahead and give it a play. I dare you to tell me it doesn’t grab you.
Freshman 15 isn’t your average bootstrapped band. They’ve got all the makings of a major force in the emo revival scene. THEY HAVE THE talent, chemistry, and an origin story that’s classic punk rock. One spur-of-the-moment entry into a local talent show and a healthy dose of serendipity served to launch the guys of F-15 into a hard and fast ascent, earning them opening spots for the likes of Bowling for Soup and even a run on the legendary Warped Tour.
But like so many that came before, their success was stopped short. Not long after releasing their second studio album, Here’s to Feeling Good, the band fell apart, and frontman Davey F fell face-first into his own hero’s journey. He’s candid on socials about his battle with alcohol abuse, the toll it took on his body, and how close it came to taking his life. Instead of falling to the vodka-soaked wrecking ball hurtling towards him, Davey chose to rebuild. He found sobriety, reunited with his bandmates, and poured his story into Freshman 15’s third album, Second Chance, a record that resonates deeply with fans walking their own path toward recovery.
Alongside Davey F in the Freshman 15 lineup are newcomer Tony on lead guitar and Davey H on bass, both contributing backup vocals, and Dave9 anchoring the group on drums. Together they bring a super satisfying pop-punk sound inspired by major scene anchors including Blink-182 and New Found Glory. These guys are more than just good music; they have personality in spades and the most cheerful and gracious dispositions. They exude authenticity in everything they do, the hallmark of every great punk and pop punk band. Check out my lightning round Q&A with the guys of Freshman 15 below to get to know them for yourself!
Lightning Round Q&A
1) If you had to credit one band or artist with being your biggest influence, who would it be?
Davey F - Blink-182. It is such a cliche answer but saying anything else would just be disingenuous. Do you think this sideways hat and lip piercing are an accident? Ha
Davey H - Blink-182 is definitely my biggest influence. Not only their music but just the ALL of it all! They’re funny and over the top. Plus they wore rad skate clothes and I was all about that!
Tony - Biggest influence was definitely KISS, as soon as I heard them the first time I knew I wanted to run around on stage and play music for life. I started drawing stages and light rigs in all my school books.
2) What’s your dream venue, the place that will feel like ‘you’ve made it’ once you play there?
Davey F - The Egg in Albany, NY. I lived there for years, (in Albany, not in the theater),and it’s an absolutely gorgeous venue. I wish more venues were named after breakfast foods.
Davey H - I just think it’d be cool to play a stadium. Doesn’t really matter to me where, but to headline one and sell it out would be incredible.
Tony - Dream venue….hmmm probably Nippon Budokan. I would listen to Cheap Trick at Budokan and hearing the reverb off the walls and the crowd screaming was always a massive rush I hope to one day experience.
3) If you could pick any one band or artist, past or present, to tour with, who would it be?
Davey F - I want to say Architects. In high school I saw the metal core band Poison the Well on tour with the pop punk band Rufio. The juxtaposition was just… chefs kiss! I would love to give fans that same experience.
Davey H - I always wanted to tour with I Call Fives but it just never happened, so I’d say that for sure. But obviously touring with blink-182 would be perfeCt tour because we’d probably just have so much fun and energy! Tony - I always imagined touring with Killswitch Engage would be a blast. They have so much fun on stage and their crew is top notch
4) If each of you were a Disney Character, who would you be?
Davey F - Beast from “Beauty and the Beast.” I too have questionable hygiene and can’t be taken out in public without the utter repulsion of the townsfolk… AND I get the girl?! If it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it!
Davey H - I’d want to be Max Goof from the Extremely Goofy Movie. Skateboarding and just living the dream! Plus in the first movie he got to perform as Powerline.
Tony - I would be Mushu or Bagherra, but let’s be honest I’m straight up goofy already.
5) Any new music or upcoming tours we should know about? Anything brewing behind the scenes you can give a hint about?
Davey F - We released a new single, “Your Biggest Fan” a few weeks ago! I’m super stoked on it. These other clowns are gonna make jokes here but I earnestly want to say I’ve never had so much much playing, writing and recording music than I have these past few years with a clear head. The fact I still get to do this with my best friends makes me incredibly lucky. I also want to thank you, The Never a Phase Network, for what you’re doing for the scene and allowing us to be a part of it. It means a lot to us. Now send in the clowns…
Davey H - Nah, I don’t like these guys. I hope we break up again!
Tony - As far as new stuff goes, I recently joined a band called Freshman 15, a bunch of washed up old emos trying to put sad boi pop punk music out. Just kidding! Love these guys and couldn’t be happier to be part of their new chapter.
Listen to Freshman 15 on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, and don’t forget to follow Davey F on TikTok and Insta for new releases and (if we’re lucky) future tour announcements
