In a tucked-away studio in Mexico City, two heavy music veterans are doing more than just tracking riffs, they’re tearing their pasts apart and building something raw from the wreckage. Self Checkout is the new project from Ahren Stringer (ex-The Amity Affliction) and Yung Yogi (aka Gus Farias, ex-Volumes), and it’s not just another supergroup, it’s a lifeline.
Watch the full interview here:
From Rehab to Rebirth
Stringer and Farias go way back, Warped Tour 2013, shared buses in 2014, same warped industry, same demons. But it took hitting rock bottom, addiction, burnout, band exits, for them to realise they didn’t need to go it alone anymore.
“Yeah, we both needed rehab,” Stringer tells Blunt US. “We just ended up joining forces and being like, let’s start a new band.”
Self Checkout isn’t a gimmick. The name’s a double entendre, tied to addiction, grief, and the crushing self reflection that comes after losing people to suicide. Farias puts it plainly:
“I’ve been impacted by suicide profoundly. This project is me healing, putting it all out there.”
Healing Through Chaos
So what does Self Checkout sound like? Whatever the f**k they want. Screams, bars, grooves, heartfelt melodies. One track’s heavy as hell, the next is a love song. Stringer calls it “a cosmic gumbo.” Farias says they walk into the studio with no plan, just feel.
Mexico City isn’t just a backdrop, either. For Farias, it’s where he found the therapist who helped him clean up. His younger brother Andres is behind the mic tracking vocals, and KJ Strock (Veil of Maya, MGK) and Robby Joyner (Fire From The Gods) are helping produce and mix without sanding down the grit.
This Isn’t a Side Project , It’s a Mission
There’s no label playbook here. No schedule pressure. Just two friends chasing real catharsis and making music that says something. Stringer says he’s sitting on 13 solo tracks from a past project, shelved. Right now, it’s all about Self Checkout.
“This first song we’re gonna drop is the heaviest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” he promises.
Mental Health Over Everything
This isn’t just a band, it’s survival. Both Stringer and Farias are done with the endless touring grind that nearly broke them. No more pretending they’re okay. No more dying on the road to keep the show going.
“We’re prioritising mental health over everything,” says Farias. “If we need time off, we’re taking it. Period.”
They’re not chasing clout. They’re chasing healing, and they want to bring fans along for the ride.
To The Day Ones: Thank You
Neither artist is blind to the scrutiny they’ve faced. From Stringer’s very public fallout with The Amity Affliction to Farias’ battles with substance abuse, the backlash has been loud.
But for the fans still standing by?
“Thank you for sticking by me,” Stringer says. “You’re gonna love what we’ve created.”
“We know we’ve got reputations,” he adds. “We’ve been called a lot of things… but this music is how we prove the world wrong.”
No Filters. No Fakes. Just Fire.
Self Checkout isn’t here to relive the past. They’re here to rip into the present, with blood, vulnerability, and volume. Whether it’s screams, bars, or brutal honesty, the message is the same: survival is an act of rebellion, and they’re not backing down.
The first track drops soon, and if Stringer’s right, it’s going to level the playing field.