William H. Klink

One garage, five guys and an eclectic sound: William H. Klink is a rock band to remember
by Keenan Donath August 1, 2015

If you’ve walked by Frederick Street on a mild afternoon or tagged along with friends to a show on the scenic Cuesta Ridge, you may have been exposed to the musical stylings of William H. Klink. The five-man band started at Cal Poly, and if its unconventional name sounds unfamiliar to you, chances are it won’t for much longer.

I met with the band on the house they all share on Frederick Street for a couple of casual interviews, where we discussed everything from their creation to the existential meaning of the movie “Birdman.” A lot of bands come and go, but something tells me that William H. Klink is here to stay.

Listen for yourself via the group’s Soundcloud:



Available since Jan. 31, the band’s self-titled release is made up of 17 original tracks. Perhaps what is most admirable about the group is the range of music they represent in their limited time together. William H. Klink’s music contains parts both minimal and intricate, drawing on sounds that could be classified under a multitude of subgenres, including surf, psych, shoegaze and folk rock.

“Some songs are super fun to dance to and then others put you in a real chill moment. They have music for all concert feels,” forestry and natural resources junior Sienna Streamfellow said.

But as singer and guitarist Jake Schoonmaker tells it, there really is only one label that matters when it comes to making music.

“At the end of the day, no matter what song we are playing, the spirit behind it is rock and roll,” he said.

Schoonmaker, who is often referred to as “Schoon,” is joined by fellow members keyboardist and soil science senior Angus Chang, drummer and forestry senior Alex Zinger, bassist Mike Jercich and guitarist Alexander Ray Schwend. They first met in the Sierra Madre residence halls, adding and subtracting members as the music developed.

Needing to come up with a name for the band quickly before a weekend show, Schoon got the idea for the unlikely moniker from his mom. There was a registry of Santa Maria High School’s 1908 graduating class on a table at a restaurant where Schoon’s parents frequent, and one of the names written inside was William Klink.

“We needed a name for an upcoming show so my mom texted it to me and I thought it was kind of cool,” Schoon said. “We added the H as a Jesus reference.”

Cole Deblock, an environmental management & protection senior, got to know the group during their inception in the residence halls. He credits the versatility of William H. Klink as one of the main reasons the group has made it this far.

“To be completely honest I can’t believe they’ve done as well as they’ve done,” Deblock said. “They extended their genre and did things they’re not necessarily comfortable with but they excel in any sort of area and type of music they play.”

William H. Klink has partly become known for their DIY sets. The band helped popularize Shabang, a performance held on the top of Cuesta Ridge.

As the event grows each year, the party at the ridge has become increasingly organized. The music is important, but so is leaving the outdoor venue cleaner than they found it. Recent efforts to recycle have been relatively easy given the environmentally conscious crowd the band attracts.

“I don’t know if this would work in any other location,” Schoon said. “To have the scenery and the people who actually give a fuck about cleaning and being respectful to the area is hard to find.”

Apart from being the headlining act at concerts in their garage, the group has played the local downtown circuit and done shows scattered along the West Coast, in scenic spots as Santa Cruz and Big Sur. A scheduled tour is the logical next step for William H. Klink.

But taking time off for a tour is a hard thing to do, due to the constant demand of rent and other bills. The shows have yet to make a profitable dividend, meaning the band members need to hold down day jobs. From computer technician to assistant at Kennedy Library, they do their best to supplement their musical careers with their summer occupations.

“We want to start taking it seriously. The end game is to be able to make a living off of doing music, but we understand how difficult that is,” Schoon said. “We know what it takes and we are trying our best to reach those goals but have a fun time in the process.”

What began as a musical project among friends has turned into a band brimming with potential, complete with psychedelic album artwork and an eclectic group of followers — some of which can’t help but be gravitated toward the sound blaring from their garage.

“One time we were playing a show at our house and this blind guy walked through our driveway and was like, ‘I came for your guys’ music.’ It was awesome,” Chang said.

Besides the occasional wanderer, the band said their fan base is made up mostly of students that fall somewhere between hippie and surfer — a clientele they have no qualms with, as they are no strangers to the laid back lifestyle.

“They loved to party and have a good time but when it came down to it, music was their everything,” Deblock said of the band. “They put it over everything else and it really is what they belong doing.”

Regardless, William H. Klink is still in its early stages, delivering music but lacking exposure. While they may not be sharing venues with top artists, the band seems content with creating quality music blocks away from Cal Poly’s campus. - Mustang News

At first glance this radio station would file the CD under K for Klink, but William H. Klink is not an individual. It is a five-man band from San Luis Obispo, California, and it is the name of their 2015 self-titled album; to be filed under W. Seventeen tracks of psych-punk with a whole lot of west coast surf vibe coming through, as well its share of lo-fi garage tracks. And, yes, there are a few tracks in the two minute range so often found in the punk genre, but this band is not afraid to riff off into a long instrumental. Check out track #4 of seven plus minutes, with an equally long name “Seabed and Dr. Chongs 4th Dimensional Transcendental Journey”. Now, it is true, I have never been sitting on a surf board stoned, watching the sets roll in, but I am sure it has happened a million times and the music of William H. Klink would be a sublime addition to such a moment; provided the right waterproof equipment was at hand. I will only give a thumbs down to track #11, “Drowning”, but so what, that leaves 16 tracks to enjoy. Besides, something always gets left behind in the wake.

Written by David Anton Savage, host of Unfiltered Camels on Mondays from 2-3 PM - KZSC Radio

We sat down with Jake and Alex of William H. Klink on our most recent episode and got to know them a little better. Check out the interview below as well as a track from the set

Can you introduce yourselves and what you do for the band?

Alex: I am Alex Schwim and I play rhythm guitar and backup vocals

Jake: I am Jake Schoomaker and I play lead guitar and vocals

Other members of the band are Mike Jerchich on Bass, Alex ZInger on Drums, and Angus Chang “Dr. Chong Himself” on keys

How did you meet?

Jake: We’re from all around, I’m from Colorado,

Alex: I’m from Seattle

Jake: Me and Schwim met through Angus. We would jam together and I was living near the drummer and he told us he wanted to start a band. We brought down a drum kit, some mics and that’s how it all began.

Where did the name William H. Klink come from?

Jake: I’ll take that one. My mom would eat at a breakfast place in Orcutt, CA. At the tables they would have news clippings, like in the tables. She saw a registry clipping from 1908 that had the name William Klink, Occupation Drummer and we needed a band name that weekend and thought it sounded pretty cool.

You just put out a full album not too long ago. What was the recording process like for that?

Alex: Long haha

Where did you do it at?

Alex: We started in our apartment, moved to speak studios, and finished it back up at the apartment.

Good Reception so far?

Jake: Yeah, everyone seems to like it so far. No one’s been posting mean comments on youtube or anything

What does it feel like to have a full album out?

Alex: It feels great! It was a really long process, had a few troubles with it, and it feels good to have it off of our chests and we’re already starting on our next one. We’re psyched

You’ve got a lot of cool shows coming up?

Jake: Correctomundo, we’re playing SLO Brew this Friday with some of our good friends Pleasantly and The Earthtones. Playing record store day too. We got invited out there and we’re over the moon about that.

What’s in the future for William H. Klink?

Jake: We’re working on that new album. Maybe some sweet music videos.

Alex: Our Puppet Opera

Jake: Oh yeah, we’ve got a puppet opera in the works and that is not a joke actually, haha. We’re pretty excited about that.

What do you guys like to do in San Luis Obispo?

Alex There’s a lot to do. I like all the hiking

Jake: I really like the new skate park. I like going to the beach with Schwin

How would you describe your type of music?

Jake: Well, right now it’s folky. Whenever we play a full live set it’s more rock n roll

You mentioned that you and your bandmates were from all over, does that influence your music?

Jake: It definitely does. Well our bassist Mike came from a jazz background, so he brings in a bit of a jazzy feel.

Alex: Then we have ZInger who’s a wild man from Long Beach and he listens to a lot of really gritty rock. He listens to the Lost Boys a lot, and bands like the Jacuzzi Boys. A lot of different influences

Who do you look up to as artists? Jake: I like Alex Knost from Japanese Motors and Tomorrows Tulips. because he’s just living the dream, he’s in these bands and he’s a professional surfer too

Alex: I’m going to have to say my dad. He’s been playing music for a long time and I think he’s listening right now. Happy Birthday Dad!

What do you guys do besides music?

Alex: We’re entering a badminton competition. We’re taking that pretty seriously

Jake: Yeah, we’re taking that pretty seriously. A lot of sweat and tears have gone into that, not so much blood. It’s not really a bloody sport, but definitely sweat. So badminton, that’s about it. No jobs, just badmitten. - Get to know SLO

Saturday May 9th, 2015

A short drive from San Luis Obispo, California up a twisty unmaintained incredibly rough forest service road to the top of Cuesta Ridge we reach the Shabang!

The Shabang is a free concert series featuring local bands that happens nearly every quarter which takes place on top of Cuesta Ridge making for some beautiful views. Overlooking San Luis Obispo and the seven sisters coastal mountains, the 360 degree view from the top of the ridge reaching all the way to Morro Bay is breathtaking. The road up to the venue is incredibly rough and only suitably for off road savvy vehicles but parking is available right off of highway 101 north and its just a short walk to the music or grab a ride from a friend with a capable car.

This time was the fourth Shabang that has went down and it’s grown exponentially from the first time it was held when around 50 people showed up to now where there’s an easy 500. Rowan Mcguire, Trophy Mom, Earthtones, William H. Klink, and Nate Takticz were all bands that played this time around and are native to the Shabang. Along with good music theres always something more up at this grassroots event whether it be fire twirling, incredible hoola hooping, or just joining in on the intense mosh pit.

How could you go wrong with Shabangs incredible ability to gather great music, great people, and great vibes all into one place that just happens to have a great view as well. All for your enjoyment and all for free!

Check out the Shabang’s Facebook page by clicking here for even more info on the event and upcoming dates. If you want to see this event keep on going and growing and continuing to be the awesome gathering of good music, good vibes, and good people that it is consider donating to it on their indiegogo site here and to future funding campaigns! - LifeGoat