Spiritbox have clarified that former Bring Me The Horizon member Jordan Fish did not produce their new album, but said they would “love to” collaborate with him in the future.
At the start of this year, Spiritbox guitarist Mike Stringer uploaded a behind-the-scenes image from the studio, appearing to show Fish sitting in front of a mixing desk. He tagged Fish, as well as the Canadian metalcore band’s frontwoman Courtney LaPlante.
READ MORE: House Of Protection: Former Fever 333 members and Jordan Fish talk launching a “new era”
Naturally, this led fans to believe that Fish was involved with the group’s next full-length project in some capacity. Spiritbox then announced their second studio album, ‘Tsunami Sea’, last month.
They have also released a pair of singles from the forthcoming LP – ‘Perfect Soul’ and ‘Soft Spine’ – both of which were co-produced by Stringer and Dan Braunstein. The pair also helmed Spiritbox’s 2021 debut album ‘Eternal Blue’.
During a new interview on the Zach Sang Show, LaPlante and Stringer explained that their time with Fish was essentially more of a casual writing session.
“Michael did fake Jordan Fish propaganda by accident,” the frontwoman said (via Kerrang!). “We were really embarrassed, because it’s like Jordan’s so cool and nice and awesome to work with, that you forget that he’s a famous person.
“So we went and did some songwriting sessions with him, and Michael posted a picture being like, ‘Hanging with Jordan!’”
Stringer added: “I would always just put something in my story, right? I’ve done it all the time with Zakk [Cervini] or Drew [Fulk] or any of these guys. So I just wasn’t thinking about the repercussions – I wasn’t thinking about anything.
“I was like, ‘Oh, I’m here with my buddy Jordan, we’re making some music. I’ll just do a quick little thing’. That was the last day – and a few hours later, the first one goes up: ‘Jordan Fish is in the studio with Spiritbox! He’s writing their album!’”
Recalling the response to the post from fans and the media, LaPlante said: “I’m like, ‘Michael, Jordan’s famous! People are excited!’”
Stringer went on: “At this point we’re driving home and Jordan’s in the car with us and I’m like, ‘I’m sorry about that’. And he’s like, ‘It’s alright’, being super nice about it. And then I wake up the next day, and it’s like, ‘Holy shit!’”
The guitarist said he “would love to” work with Fish, though – calling him “so talented”. As for why a full collaboration didn’t materialise this time around, Stringer revealed that “our timelines just didn’t match”.
Spiritbox ‘Tsunami Sea’ album cover artwork. CREDIT: Press
“We did those sessions and then left for tour, and then he picked up, obviously, like two or three records. So he was like, ‘I’m booked’,” he remembered.
LaPlante said that Spiritbox “learned a lot from Jordan, just hanging out with him for three days”, adding: “From a production standpoint it was really cool to watch him do stuff. He’s awesome. But Michael did Jordan propaganda by accident.”
Stringer concluded: “In the future, I hope that we can work together, and maybe next time I won’t post a photo of him in the studio.”
It was announced that Fish had parted ways with Bring Me The Horizon this time last year. The keyboardist, percussionist and producer joined the Sheffield band in 2012, and had been instrumental in shaping their songwriting approach and modern sound by adding more electronic elements.
Fish has since worked with the likes of House Of Protection (the new band of former Fever 333 members Aric Improta and Stephen “Stevis” Harrison), Poppy, Busted and Architects.
Speaking to NME earlier this year, he explained: “Generally, I’m attracted to people who are creative – I’m not so bothered about virtuoso playing, particularly – I’m more looking for someone with ideas and a direction.
“I’m usually attracted to artists who don’t want to go down the same road as something that’s been before. I’ve worked in rock music for quite a while, and there are a lot of bands that do sound similar. I’m usually looking for someone that wants to bring in a broader influence and blend that in.”
Fish continued: “I can’t help but do that. I tend to go for stuff that’s quite colourful. I’m not that into drab music. I want to be like candy. That’s more my style and instinct.
“I’ll go for anything as long as there’s enough for me to be excited about. I’m not bothered about genre, as long as it’s good. If I vibe with the people, if they’re cool to work with, that has a massive impact on how shit comes out.”
Over the summer, BMTH’s Oli Sykes spoke to NME about the reason behind Fish’s exit. “We just got to a point where we weren’t happy as a unit anymore,” he said in the interview.
“He served our band really well, and the band wouldn’t be where we are without him. I don’t think I’d be able to sing. He was an agent in that and helped me do that. I’ve learned so much from him.”
Sykes added: “I think he’s learned a lot from me. I’m sure one day we’ll see each other again and we’ll talk. Nothing’s happened where it couldn’t be sorted out over a drink. That’s that.”
Meanwhile, Spiritbox’s 2023 track ‘Cellar Door’ is nominated for Best Metal Performance at the Grammys 2025.
The band will release ‘Tsunami Sea’ on March 7 via Pale Chord in partnership with Rise Records (pre-order here), and head out on a North American headline tour the following month.
Spiritbox are set to play a gig at Alexandra Palace next February as part of their UK and European tour (find any remaining tickets here). In June, they’ll perform at Download Festival 2025.
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