Chief State Reveal the Story Behind Keep Your Friends Closer!

Vancouver pop-punk band Chief State joins Scott Saldinger on The Hang! for a candid conversation about friendship, creativity, and the emotional fuel behind their latest album Keep Your Friends Closer. The band shares the story behind their newest record and how its themes of loyalty, betrayal, and reconnection shaped the songwriting process. Rather than writing individually, the group spent months collaborating together in a room, building songs organically and creating a space where every idea could be explored freely. In this episode, the band dives into their individual musical origins—from discovering punk through Green Day and MTV to learning instruments by ear and forming bands before they even knew how to play. That early passion eventually led to the formation of Chief State after a Craigslist post connected founding members Fraser and Nik in Vancouver. They also reflect on the importance of community in music, the impact friends and mentors have had on their careers, and the reality of being an independent band navigating touring costs and the evolving music industry. Along the way, each member highlights a song from their catalog that best represents the band—from fan favorites like “Team Wiped,” “No Breaks,” and “Metaphors” to the title track “Keep Your Friends Closer.” If you love modern pop-punk, honest songwriting, and stories from the road, this episode offers an inside look at the friendships and experiences that keep Chief State moving forward. Listen now and discover why Chief State is one of the most exciting bands emerging from Vancouver’s punk scene.