While local punk band Pinkhouse might have released their debut EP, Vanity Project, on Jan. 19, their origins date back to the fall of 2019. That was when longtime friends Max Fillion and Steven Hacker saw a Facebook post that Velvet Lounge (RIP) was looking for an opener for a show. The pair decided they had what it takes, despite only having a couple of original songs released under Fillion’s name and no other band members. 

In the matter of six days they found drummer Brandon Breazeale and bassist Nick Cervone, learned how to perform a mix of original and cover songs, and stepped onto the stage of Velvet Lounge, nerves high but ready to go. “We’ve all been in bands before so we’d all gotten past the typical pre-show nerves,” says Fillion, the band’s lead singer. “The real problem was that we only had three practices.”

Though the group felt a little unprepared, their performance together was a success. As their set went on, the audience slowly inch toward the stage and, by the end, everyone seemed sucked into the music. It was such an encouraging experience that the band would follow it up with gigs at house shows, an appearance at Songbyrd, and a return to Velvet Lounge. Not even the pandemic managed to stop them. They began playing live again in September 2021 with brand-new songs written while quarantining.

It’s actually those songs written during the height of the pandemic that make up Vanity Project, the release of which will be celebrated with a performance at Songbyrd on Jan. 20. It’s actually the EP’s second release show to be scheduled—the first was in 2022, but Pinkhouse hadn’t managed to finish the EP in time. Today they confirm that the delay came about because they underestimated the time that goes into recording and producing an EP. “It’s been very much a learning process,” says Fillion. But now it’s available on streaming platforms everywhere.

“We’re psyched that it’s finally been put out into the world,” Fillion says. “And we’re all even more excited about what’s to come.”

Something to know about Pinkhouse is that they describe themselves as “goofy yet serious.” The goofy part can be seen clearly in the demeanor of the band—they like to joke around and get involved with their audience while onstage. The band recall the several times Cervone dropped his bass to join a mosh pit at their shows; in one case he even brought the bass to play as audience members pushed him around.

“I had to use a very long cord and I was nervous I was gonna get unplugged, which would’ve killed the vibe,” Cervone says. “It’s fun. If the energy is high, it feels really communal. You feel as though you’re just part of it like everyone else.”

But Pinkhouse also know when to get serious. Fillion’s lyrics tackle topics he believes are important to talk about, including his own mental health struggles and his reaction to ongoing political issues. Two examples he brings up are the songs “Oh Well” and “Dumb Expression.” The former describes Fillion’s feelings that protesters and news organizations seem to quickly forget about police brutality after they’ve helped give it worldwide attention; the latter is about how your mental health will only get worse if you don’t take care of yourself.

The band believe it’s important they play music that addresses heavy issues. To them, it‘’’s both a form of survival and an obligation they have to themselves. “It’s the thing we do because we just kind of feel like we have to do it,” Breazeale says. “We do this because we don’t feel like we have a choice.”

“During the periods of my life when I wasn’t in a band and putting out music I just didn’t feel like my whole self,” Fillion adds. “My whole self is what comes through in these lyrics.”

Upon returning to the music scene in 2021, Pinkhouse have been busy promoting their music. They’ve played at many of the local venues, including the Pocket, Black Cat, Pie Shop, and more. But they also continue to perform at house shows in the area: “I’ll never turn down a house show,” Fillion says.

But if one event marked a turning point in the band’s career, it was the “weekender” they did with pop-rock trio Massie in July. In a single weekend, the two groups performed in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and D.C. It was Pinkhouse’s first attempt at playing outside the local scene. That people showed up to their out-of-town shows and enjoyed their music convinced them that they’re capable of doing bigger things in the future.

One of those bigger things is their upcoming full-length album. “We’ve got enough songs for it already,” Breazeale says. “We’re really excited about all the new stuff because, although the EP definitely represents us, it’s made up of songs that mainly came out of Max. The newer stuff is way more collaboratively written.”

Looking back, the members of Pinkhouse can hardly believe it all began as a group of strangers. Now they’re inseparable. “Really great friendships blossomed out of this band,” Fillion says.

“It’s pretty wild that we met the week of our first show and now we have the EP out there,” he continues. “Together we hope to keep putting in the work as we establish ourselves in this great music scene.”

Pinkhouse perform with Keep Your Secrets, Outerloop, and Orbweaver at 8 p.m. on Jan. 20 at Songbyrd. songbyrddc.com. $18.