In this episode of Car Con Carne, James VanOsdol welcomes the Chicago-based band When We Was Kids to the car. Band members Chris, Mike, and Mark dive into their evolution from childhood rivals in the Cicero and Berwyn music scenes to becoming a technical, genre-bending powerhouse.

The group discusses their newest release, A Maudlin Floor in Watercolor, which dropped in November 2025. They share the stories behind standout tracks like “Slutwalk” and “Crazy Guy,” while reflecting on their formative years at the Motel 66 Cicero DIY venue.

Highlights from the conversation

• The rivalries: The band members recall their early days in competing grade school bands, and how they eventually merged their pop-punk and instrumental prog influences.

• The double album: Get a sneak peek into their next massive project: a potential double album!

• The songwriting process: Chris explores the personal experiences and “cry for help” lyrics that define their intense compositions.

See them live

Catch When We Was Kids at these upcoming Chicago shows:

• May 1: Cole’s

• June 11: Reggies

This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Visit their website at explodinghouseprinting.com for all your merch needs.