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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Customers

Customers are a guitar-driven rock band originally formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995 by songwriter and vocalist Ryan Sexton. The group’s story began when a demo of Sexton’s songs made its way to Elliot Roberts, Neil Young’s longtime manager, who was then helping launch Young’s label, Vapor Records. Roberts heard promise in the songs and asked whether Sexton could put together a band to bring the material to life. From that opportunity, Customers were born.

That same summer, the newly formed band spent two weeks recording at Jackson Browne’s Groove Masters Studio in Santa Monica. The result was their debut album, Green Bottle Thursday, a vibrant, melodic, guitar-laden collection that introduced Customers as a band with sharp songwriting instincts, strong hooks, and a sound rooted in rock energy without losing its melodic center.

Following the release of Green Bottle Thursday, Customers quickly found themselves on much larger stages. The band toured the European festival circuit, sharing bills that included Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, and Björk. Over the next two years, they toured throughout the United States and Canada with Ben Folds Five and The Meices, opened several shows for Iggy Pop, and made a national television appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

In 2000, Sexton returned to his hometown of Minneapolis, bringing the Customers name with him. The band released the five-song EP SEVERBUDDYAPPY, which included the college-radio-friendly track “Until Now.” After that release, Sexton stepped away from the band for a time to pursue other interests, though he continued writing songs throughout the years.

Customers returned in 2022 when Sexton teamed with renowned Minneapolis producer Kevin Bowe to create Sweet Fatality, a post-punk and Americana-leaning LP that reintroduced the project with a fresh but familiar edge. The album featured an impressive group of collaborators, including Daniel Murphy of Soul Asylum and The Scarlet Goodbye, Terrance J. Fisher of Run Westy Run, Ivan Julian of Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Patricia Lacy of Luther Vandross fame, and a strong cast of Minneapolis musicians including John Eller, Terry Isachsen, Peter Anderson, Pat Frederick, Ian Prince, and Noah Levy.

By 2024, Customers had evolved into a permanent lineup featuring Ryan Sexton on vocals and guitar, Terrance J. Fisher on lead guitar, Jon Sawyer on bass, and Kirk Hall on drums. That summer, the band returned to the studio to record Living Like Gods, a guitar-heavy EP produced by Soul Asylum founder and alumnus Daniel Murphy. The record captures the band’s continuing evolution, blending melodic rock, post-punk bite, Americana grit, and the kind of guitar-forward energy that has defined Customers from the beginning.

Set for release in Spring 2026, Living Like Gods marks a new chapter for Customers: a band with a deep history, a renewed lineup, and a body of music that connects its Los Angeles beginnings to its Minneapolis present. With songs shaped by decades of experience, road miles, and collaboration, Customers continue to build on their legacy while pushing forward with new urgency and purpose.

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Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

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