The metalcore/hardcore group Jawfane are this week’s featured Meet The Band artist. Their debut EP is Me And All My Demons. Guitarist Cory Pack, keyboardist Jesse Marquez, drummer AJ Chacon and bassist Chase Shumann introduce us to their band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Jawfane.
Jawfane began in 2021, drawn together from various backgrounds and experiences, hellbent on pushing the envelope of catharsis in the medium of music. Taking the stage by storm in October 2021, Jawfane has established a cult following in the Nashville hardcore scene and shows no signs of slowing down.
Describe the songwriting process for Me And All My Demons.
Collaborative. We are all very different people, so when we write together, it’s our personalities combining. Sometimes we end up writing for each other, bass parts becoming guitar parts, and melodies becoming vocals later. We enjoy the ebb and flow of theme and execution.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Gordon came from NC to live with Chase for three days, recording vocals. It felt like we had finally done something impossible and fulfilling. We all wish we had more photos.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
“Friends and Enemies” lyrics; we were up against a deadline to finish the record. Chase and Cory spent a whole day in the studio just knocking out melodies, and trying to different lyrical patterns. It wasn’t until we tried to simplify the premise that we found what we love about it. In our band, we can sometimes outthink the song with more notes. In this case, it took removing all the extra stuff in the words to find the real emotion.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
A wide range of sounds with raw and theatrical elements, we enjoy the personal stories that music allows.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
Rage, morality, abandonment, resilience, angst, overcoming, trauma.
How did you come to sign with Exitus Strategem Records?
We finished what we now call the “rough draft” of the EP, but it was mixed and mastered. We sent it around to a few labels, management companies, etc, and EXSR was one of them. We filled out the demo submission on their website. Gordon sent us an email asking to sit down and we work out the idea to have us record it again, but better, and they would handle mixing and mastering and the other record label stuff. I want to say a little over a year into this, we have full faith in EXSR, and the EP would not be as special without them and their involvement.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
That they get to know us, that our message of hope in mental health is heard, to find and see new opportunities, and to complete the completed work for more and more people.
How was the video shoot for “Cataclysm (Nightmare)”?
Repetition, but the repeated takes are rough; we are a new band. It’s something we will learn to make more fun, but we all were a bit nervous shooting our first music video.
What has been your most memorable Jawfane live show?
AJ’s first show at the Mayhem House in Atlanta was his first show ever.
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
July 12th, Metal To Flesh Fest. August 9th, Corefest, Maryville, TN.
How did you get started in music?
We wanted to share the feeling the songs we love give to us with other people; we wanted to be a part of that exchange. We all have an emotional connection to music, and we want to share that connection with our audience.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
Knocked Loose, System of a Down, If These Trees Could Talk, As Cities Burn, Tool, Polaris, Pink Floyd, The Smell Before Rain.
What was the first metal concert you attended?
Jesse: Stray From The Path
Cory: Underoath/The Chariot
Chase: Papa Roach/Hinder
AJ: Warped Tour 2017
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
Forza racing, landscaping, Japanese folklore, tattooing.
(interview published July 5, 2025)
Watch Jawfane – “Cataclysm (Nightmare)” Video
