Ep. 145 - The Dark

The Dark is a punk band based out of Compton, California, who released our favorite album of 2024, Sinking Into Madness.

With a trajectory spanning 10 years and heavy Japanese punk influences such as GISM and GZET, you can also hear GBH and Black Metal mixed into their sound.

They self-released two demos, a 7-inch EP titled Demons under "Darker Records”, and a full-length album on Toxic State Records at the beginning of 2024 (as previously mentioned).

We are honored to have captured a glimpse into the story behind this unique and mysterious sound.

This episode was recorded in Gaby's (the bassist) childhood home on December 14, 2024.

Ep. 144 - Shane Moran (Title Fight)

A conversation that has been a couple of years in the making. Shane and I sit down on a sunny Sunday afternoon in South Central Los Ángeles.

We talk about his teenage years leading up to joining Title Fight, the Wilkes-Barre hardcore scene, his late friend John Slaby, his thoughts on a reunion, and working with Kenny Mason.

Ep. 143 - Jules Trifan

Jules Trifan is a South Florida Hardcore veteran known for fronting Result of Choice and playing guitar in Collateral.

We speak on her youth, fronting Result of Choice at a young age, South Florida Hardcore, our favorite Zines, and more.

Ep. 142 - Teru Kagami ft. Seudo Youth

Teru is the frontman of the Japanese hardcore punk band Kagami, whom I had the pleasure of talking to with the help of our friends in Seudo Youth.

We discuss the current Japanese hardcore punk scene, how he learned to speak English, culture shocks from California, the formation of Kagami, and more.

Ep. 141 - Patrick Blaine

This episode is for Bay Area fans, by one of their own—talented drummer and lifer Patrick Blaine. He has played on tons of records over the years, including notable projects like Spiritual Cramp, Abi Yoyos, the Tony Molina Band, and currently Smirk and Toner.

We talk about his time playing in Abi Yoyos in high school, the Bay Area underground scene in the early 2000s, going to school in England, his complicated relationship with music, future goals, and more.

Ep. 139 - Ned Russin

Ned and I have brief conversation before Glitterer’s set at the Midnight Hour while on tour.

We discuss major corporations in hardcore, ”Xpression Records”, as well as past notable projects he’s worked on and more.

Ep. 138 - Mark Ausencia

Mark is the frontman behind the beloved San Bernardino punk band Ausencia and the mind behind the DIY punk record label Verdugo Records. While being a dedicated punk, Mark has also excelled in academia and is currently a college professor.

Mark and I discuss his rough upbringing, getting into punk before the internet, attending school for 11 years to receive a PhD, starting a family, and much more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 137 - Max Hellesto (Regional Justice Center, Vatican Voss)

Max is the frontman and inspiration behind the wholehearted yet menacing-sounding project that is Regional Justice Center, while also showcasing a different side of creativity by performing in a rap project under the name “Vatican Voss.”

Max was incarcerated at the age of 18, shortly after his brother, Ian Shelton, began Regional Justice Center to commemorate him. After being a free man for a few years, Max and I speak about fronting RJC, his childhood and teenage years, adapting to life after prison, and what the future holds.

Ep.136 - Justin Cuevas

Justin Cuevas, better known as Crucial J, is the frontman of New Brigade, one of the vocalists in Minority Unit, and one of the best moshers in Southern California.

Justin and I talk about his upbringing in El Monte, playing sports, staying out of trouble as a teenager, the foundation of New Brigade, Soul Search’s major influence in California, joining the Marines, and more.