The Jesea Lee Show The Format Interview - Reunion, Boycott Heaven, The First Single
Dec 12, 2025
Nate Ruess, lead singer-songwriter of The Format, and Sam Means, the band's guitarist, reunite to discuss their return with the new album 'Boycott Heaven.' They share the emotional journey of delaying their comeback due to the pandemic and how personal experiences fueled their songwriting. The duo reveals their desire for a louder rock sound and reflects on the nostalgic gear choices made during recording. They also explain the provocative album title and discuss why their biggest single never got a music video, keeping fans engaged with their history and upcoming tour plans.
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How The Comeback Began
- Nate Ruess started writing songs again after his kids went to school and felt they belonged to The Format.
- He brought those songs to Sam Means and they finished them together for a reunion album.
Intentional Sound Continuity
- Holy Roller intentionally continues The Format's sound while pushing toward a louder rock edge.
- The band wanted more distortion to make the record feel like an authentic rock continuation.
Producer's Cut Moved A Section
- Brendan O'Brien suggested moving a heavy bridge that was originally an intro to keep the song tighter.
- Sam Means notes that the original material still appears elsewhere on the album in a sneaky way.
