Akil Godsey (End It)

Summary

HardLore: Stories from Tour – Episode Featuring Akil Godsey (End It)
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Hosts: Colin Young (God's Hate) & Bo Lueders (Harms Way)
Guest: Akil Godsey (End It)

---

Introduction

In this compelling episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour, hosts Colin Young and Bo Lueders welcome Akil Godsey, the charismatic frontman of the Baltimore-based hardcore band End It. The conversation delves deep into Akil's journey in the hardcore scene, his experiences touring, personal life, and the evolution of the music genre.

---

Early Musical Career

Akil begins by recounting his initial foray into the hardcore scene with his first band, Malicious Code.

[04:37] Akil Godsey: "The Code was the first band I ever had the opportunity to front. That was around 2014 to 2016."

Though Malicious Code never achieved significant success, it laid the foundation for Akil's musical ambitions. He fondly remembers writing "Satanibus," describing it as one of his coolest songs, influenced by his personal experiences and lifestyle.

[06:12] Akil Godsey: "I wrote 'Satanibus,' which I think is still one of the coolest songs I ever wrote because I was obviously smoking weed."

---

Joining End It

Akil shares the story of how he became the frontman for End It, emphasizing the band's mission to embody the true essence of hardcore.

[27:25] Akil Godsey: "We had no intentions of really playing it out or touring or anything. It just wanted to be like, yeah, here's 10 minutes of what actually is hardcore. I'll see you kids in hell."

His authentic approach resonated with the band and the local scene, leading to a natural fit within End It. The collaboration with members from other respected Baltimore bands like Flat Spot Records enriched the group's dynamic.

[22:09] Akil Godsey: "So, like, I'm from Baltimore. We're lucky to have them. We're flying the flag for Baltimore in hardcore the most."

---

Life Outside Music

Balancing a demanding music career with personal responsibilities, Akil discusses his role as a father and his unique job during the pandemic.

[16:24] Akil Godsey: "I was an agent representing the State Anatomy Board, picking up bodies when people passed away unexpectedly."

This intense job not only provided financial stability during uncertain times but also offered a stark contrast to his life on the road. Akil reflects on the psychological impact of handling life and death regularly.

[18:05] Akil Godsey: "Every time my money's funny, I'm lashes. I did it."

---

Touring Stories

Akil's tales from the road are both chaotic and enlightening. From managing violent moshing scenes to memorable interactions with fans, his experiences paint a vivid picture of life as a hardcore musician.

[21:05] Akil Godsey: "We play hardcore music. Like, I would go to the show with the intention of maybe not coming home. Cause who knows what's gonna happen?"

One standout story involves an altercation at a Baltimore venue where Akil had to defend the club from a disruptive patron, resulting in a temporary suspension from work.

[91:29] Akil Godsey: "I shoved him. He went for the double leg. I sprawled. I hold him down, I soccer kicked his shit. And now I have to not come to work for three months."

These anecdotes highlight the volatile nature of touring and the lengths Akil goes to maintain order and respect within the hardcore community.

---

Musical Influences

Akil's musical influences are diverse, ranging from hardcore legends to unexpected genres. His ability to transcribe and incorporate various styles into End It's sound showcases his versatility.

[85:00] Akil Godsey: "Shocker from Burn. Occasionally, I find myself doing like a Puerto Rican mic from District 9 because we share similar vibes."

He also expresses admiration for bands like Shelter and mentions how their work has influenced his approach to hardcore music.

[86:15] Akil Godsey: "Don't forget the Struggle. Don't forget the Streets. Warzone Culture Shock. My Four Walls Falling."

---

Perspectives on the Hardcore Scene

Akil offers insightful commentary on the state of the hardcore scene, particularly in Baltimore. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and community, contrasting the older generation's approach with the evolving new wave of hardcore enthusiasts.

[117:18] Akil Godsey: "They don’t care and I can't expect them to care. I’m just happy ahead one more day."

He advocates for fostering genuine connections within the scene, ensuring that new members understand and appreciate the roots and ethics of hardcore music.

[119:25] Akil Godsey: "Just be respectful. You treat people the way they deserve to be treated."

---

Upcoming Projects

Looking ahead, Akil discusses End It's forthcoming LP, describing it as a blend of high-energy mosh-inducing tracks with an authentic hardcore essence.

[70:15] Akil Godsey: "It's looking like we'll be done late January, early February with anywhere from 12 to 14 songs."

He hints at including a cover song, underscoring the band's commitment to delivering raw and powerful music.

[70:37] Akil Godsey: "There's a cover in there. And the band we're covering... I literally got permission to cover the song."

---

Personal Insights and Beliefs

Beyond music, Akil shares his perspectives on various topics, including his skepticism towards ghosts and his commitment to activism.

[120:35] Akil Godsey: "Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo. Free Haiti, Free Lebanon. And maybe one day we'll free ourselves."

His grounding in reality, contrasted with occasional humorous takes on personal experiences, paints a picture of a grounded yet passionate individual.

---

Conclusion

The episode culminates with heartfelt exchanges, showcasing Akil's dedication to hardcore music, his resilience in balancing life's challenges, and his unwavering commitment to his community. His closing remarks emphasize the importance of unity, respect, and authenticity within the hardcore scene.

[121:25] Akil Godsey: "Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo. ... Don't vote. Don't vote. Disengage. They're taking advantage of you."

Hosts Colin and Bo commend Akil for his raw honesty and dedication, leaving listeners with a profound appreciation for his journey and the enduring spirit of hardcore music.

---

Notable Quotes

• Akil Godsey [06:12]: "I wrote 'Satanibus,' which I think is still one of the coolest songs I ever wrote because I was obviously smoking weed."

• Akil Godsey [27:25]: "We had no intentions of really playing it out or touring or anything. It just wanted to be like, yeah, here's 10 minutes of what actually is hardcore. I'll see you kids in hell."

• Akil Godsey [91:29]: "I shoved him. He went for the double leg. I sprawled. I hold him down, I soccer kick his shit. And now I have to not come to work for three months."

• Akil Godsey [120:35]: "Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo. Free Haiti, Free Lebanon. And maybe one day we'll free ourselves."

---

This episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour offers an unfiltered glimpse into Akil Godsey's life, blending intense touring stories with personal struggles and triumphs. It's a testament to the enduring power of hardcore music and the people who live it authentically.

Transcript

[A]

Subscribe to the all new Hard Lore Patreon now for early ad, free access to every episode and an exclusive episode every month.

[B]

That was the whole intention. We had no intentions of really playing it out or touring or anything. It was, it just wanted to be like, yeah, here's 10 minutes of what actually is hardcore. I'll see you kids in hell.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you were harder than them.

[B]

As long as it was known like. This is Baltimore Hawk Foreign.

[A]

Hello, welcome. It's Hard Lore time. How are you, Beau?

[C]

I'm doing very well, Colin. How are you feeling?

[A]

I'm feeling all right. I'm feeling great. About this guest we have today. This is, this is years in the making. This is historical. This is groundbreaking. This is one of the most requested guests week to week we have and I've been dying to have them on one of maybe the most charismatic modern hardcore frontman. A man whose style is only surpassed by his talent.

[C]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Yeah, I know. That was good, huh? But I'm not done. The future of of hardcore music and the present of hardcore music. Let's be real. From Baltimore, Maryland and end it, please welcome Akil Godsey.

[B]

What's up boys?

[A]

How are you, sir?

[B]

I'm living fancy free, I can't complain.

[A]

Fantastic. Welcome. So glad we finally got you here. How, how's your day? How's your week? How's your year going?

[B]

Is that fun? You know, it's another day. I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive. Thanks for having me on the podcast. Of course. My day was sick. Like I was just telling you, I slept until 1pm which is something I normally don't do. I'm Normally up by 8:39 o'clock without fail.

[C]

So why the sudden were you up late or what happened?

[B]

I took a clonic 12 hours and that was cool.

[A]

Tell me about Klonopin. This is new for us, so.

[B]

Oh yeah, you got. We got two edge me so.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, teach us.

[B]

It's some type of anti anxiety something or another. Yes, but you. It'll put you to sleep. I guess that's how it lets you deal with the anxiety. You just go to bed.

[A]

Are you an anxious guy?

[B]

Not at all. But I am wide awake.

[C]

Oh, I see.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's like me, it's like Bennett, it's like me and Benadryl.

[B]

Yeah, it's like a Benadryl or a zquil.

[A]

Is there a clonapin hat, man?

[B]

There isn't. But if you eat nine of them and drink a pint of whiskey, you will be asked to leave whatever establishment.

[A]

So you become the Hat man rather than. Than being visited by him.

[B]

Shout out to the Internet. I didn't know the Hat man was like a phenomenon. Yeah, that everyone sees the Hat Man.

[A]

I thought, he's out there.

[C]

Have you ever experienced them?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Either of you?

[B]

I've seen the Hat man before. Like, so you grow up. I got hay fever or whatever. Allergies and you know, plans to give you a Benadryl if you take it enough days in a row or you're prescribed it to some degree, you'll just see the Hat Man.

[A]

I can't believe you as an American just called it Hay Fever. Because that is. Do you. Is hay fever common in Baltimore versus allergies?

[B]

That's what we called it in my house.

[A]

Yeah, we got hay fever here, dude. I always thought hay fever was like the most dramatic British way of saying allergies.

[C]

Yeah, I thought it. Really?

[B]

You think you have an illness growing up, your parents like, you got the hay fever? No. What about the props?

[A]

I, you know, I'm excited to get into end it and how, you know, your evolution as a frontman. But of course, I can't get there without first asking you about malicious Code.

[B]

Oh, brother. Talk to him.

[A]

Tell me about malicious code. Akil.

[B]

So the Code was the first man I ever got the opportunity to front Malicious Code, that was, I want to say 2014 to 2016. Somewhere around there. It was like a thrash. The guy that wrote all the stuff, Mitch. Do you remember that band Surroundings from back in the day?

[A]

Yeah, of course.

[B]

So Mitch played in Surroundings and Mitch wrote all the shit. So.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

It was like a thrashy, blackened, hardcore punk thing. I didn't. At that point, I didn't really care. Someone asked me to be in a band, I got the opportunity to be in a band. That was fun. But the Code, the Code never did anything.

[A]

I love that.

[C]

Yeah, the Code is awesome.

[B]

We all just called it the Code. So was that.

[A]

That wasn't something where you were like leading the charge musically and making like your dream band?

[B]

Oh, no, I got a. I got. I mean, I can talk about now. I would not necessarily get reprimanded because I'm a grown ass man, but some of my. My song, some of the motifs and themes, I can only write songs that. About things I've experienced, of course. So I guess sometimes some of my subject matter wasn't appreciated upon the group of kids that I was writing songs with. Because, you know, you met me. This ain't a facade, you know, I'm kind of out of my father.

[A]

That's real.

[B]

It's real.

[A]

It's real.

[B]

So, you know, it just didn't. It just never clicked.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

You know, but it was fun. The music was cool. I wrote a song about. I wrote that song Satanibus, which I think is still one of the coolest songs I ever wrote because I was obviously smoking weed.

[A]

It's brilliant.

[B]

I love Satan.

[C]

There you go.

[A]

Finally, somebody puts them together.

[B]

Somebody gets it. That joint, I took, like, Dante's Inferno and, like, transferred Dante's Inferno into, like, different degrees of, like, tough weed. I don't even think I actually did that in the song, but that's what I was thinking.

[C]

Sure.

[A]

Well, I mean, listen, you're gonna have to write an end at LP someday, and that's a lot of songs, so. So you got one in the tank ready to go.

[C]

Satanibus can make it.

[B]

We will never.

[A]

Breaking news that way.

[B]

Never.

[C]

Okay, dude, LPs are out. They're out.

[A]

Yeah. People love you.

[B]

No, no, no, not the. Not the. The COVID of Malicious Cone Song will never happen. No, actually in the studio now. I'm gonna record Thursday. I gotta drop some vocals on Thursday. We are doing an lp finally.

[A]

Well, that's breaking news. We'll get into that.

[C]

People love NLPs.

[B]

What you said, bro.

[C]

I said LPs are in too, people.

[A]

Yeah. It's time. So tell me about Young Ail. Were you from, like, Baltimore proper?

[B]

So I'm from, like, literally right at the city county line.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So, I mean, my. I got a Baltimore city zip code, but we lived in the county. Okay, but, like, what. Whatever is Baltimore is right down the street.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

The zip code never lies.

[B]

Yeah. Zip code never lies. It show you where you at.

[A]

Exactly. Tell me about the shows and, like, local bands and maybe some. Some bands that came through that kept you coming back and that. And that showed you that this was the lifestyle for you.

[B]

I mean, like, I can tell you. So, you know, you get the. I didn't really find hardcore until I was in high school. So, of course, you're younger, you see, like, other people in bands. And of course you're looking for community and friendship. So, like, if I was in class with someone and they mentioned they were in a band, I just go to their show.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, but like, I still knew because we all go in MySpace and shit. So. Shout out my space. So we all. We knew about, like, a Lilu Dallas, you know what I mean, I don't know if you remember Lilu Dallas metal core shit like that. And of course they're stout and.

[A]

Yeah, so stout was something you were. You were already familiar with in high school.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, stop.

[A]

Because that's the gods. That's.

[B]

I mean, that's Baltimore as Baltimore OGs right there.

[A]

They're the Beatles of Baltimore.

[B]

Yeah, this like hardcore shit.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Okay, so that, you know, what were some. Some like. Do you have memories of specific shows you went to of, like Martian for the first time experiencing the. The. The iconic Baltimore violence?

[B]

Really?

[A]

It's a violent moshing scene and you are a violent mosher.

[B]

So I want to know about. I've never seen it.

[A]

Is that because you broke your arm doing your signature cartwheel at the sidebar?

[B]

That was awesome. Dislocated my elbow. That was nuts. That was a good night. Anyway. Nah, I don't. I don't even think that slowed me down in all honesty, but I don't know.

[A]

Tell me about those early memories. It shows and.

[B]

Yeah, so, like, there was. Growing up, there was two different sides. You had the sidebar hardcore scene. That was a lot of the. The skinheads and like the punks and older kids. And then you had the art space, and then the art space was more college kids. You know what I mean? Yeah, shout out art space, but more college kids, more contemporary style hardcore shit. So, I mean, like, I didn't really know that difference until I got older, but the art space was so fucking small when it, like before it moved to the big room. It was all violent. It was. There was no choice but it. To be violent in mind, you was the best. I was 17 when the TUI demo dropped. I was actually. We were on the bus the other day. I was talking at Gem about it, how, like, how small the art space was in relation to how much we love that Trapped on the Ice demo.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like there was no way to run.

[A]

Right, Right.

[B]

Of course. You go to the sidebar, you see stout is to be expected. You know what I mean?

[C]

That's.

[B]

That wasn't necessarily like crazy, wild, violent mosh for me, because it was a place you could leave if you got stuck in the front of the arch space. That was it.

[A]

Oh, it's game over.

[B]

It's game over. You're getting smashed.

[A]

I've seen it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I've seen it firsthand.

[B]

And then like the Talking Head. I was around enough to go to a couple shows with the Talking Head. The Talking Head was formerly, at that time, the original autobar location. Oh, and it was on the backside of sidebar, so, like, there used to be an alleyway that connected Sidebar, the Talking Head. And you could just, like, cut through, go through the Cut through and get back and forth to it.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

That'd be two shows at the same time, two different scene.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

So you're deep into high school when the. When the TI demo comes out.

[B]

Yeah, I'm 16. So early. I was late 16 years old. Early 17 years old. So, yeah, so we're the.

[A]

We're the exact same age. So that hit us at the same time, same point in our lives, and changed everything in, like, the world stopped. As a local band, how was connecting with that?

[B]

I mean, we still talking about it right now, you know? Like, I still. I still think justice is one of the coolest guys I ever met. Like, you wrote that?

[A]

Yeah. That's crazy.

[B]

That's crazy. Journal text me, and I'm like, oh, did it, like.

[C]

Did it change things? Did it alter the direction of other bands?

[B]

So it didn't, like. It didn't, like, change Baltimore, but it did give a caveat out of the old school way of handling the hardcore because, like, the older guys had to take a step back and recognize, like, yeah, you're who you are, but there's a whole. There's a thing happening.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right here, right next to you. And obviously, we saw how that worked out.

[A]

Beautiful. Yeah. I mean, and it all came together eventually. Like, the mutual respect between the guys in Stout and next step up with Tui. Now it's like, all just one big, beautiful, contemporary blossoming place.

[B]

It's all Baltimore. That's the thing. We may not like each other, but it's us against you at every step.

[A]

And ended is such a big part of that now. Yeah, it's like. It's really cool. It's been cool just to witness, like, in real time, the way that you guys have taken the torch and become, like, the active Baltimore man. Like, you guys are flying the flag for Baltimore in hardcore the most. Yeah, it's just great to see, you know, it's such a special place and. And hardcore is so unique there. There's. There's something about it that is so real authentic.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Interesting. It's seeing it happen with you. And I will get into the birth of End it because I am connected to it in some way.

[B]

I'm still. My. My slavers are still a little gassy that you asked me about Malicious Food. I didn't expect you asking about. I didn't expect Malicious code to come.

[A]

Out at all, though.

[B]

I forget I was in the cozy.

[A]

We're getting there. Akia, I got some stuff for you. Speaking of which, you know, I know you love stout. I know you love Baltimore hardcore. I know you love Tui. And before I ask you this, I'm happy to cut this if you need me to.

[B]

You get it?

[A]

When in your life did you develop an affinity for the band Screwdriver?

[B]

All right, so when I first learned. You should keep this in there. I can't say I have an affinity for Driver. I have a love of being certain. All right. Ah, let's start. Remember, I'm a punk. I'm a punk rocker and skinhead before all this other. And I still. I got into it for the shock value of things. But I also, you know, people play these songs because, like, I don't think people understand Driver. I learned about Screwdriver way before I learned about hardcore. Wow.

[C]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Cuz, like, you know, you hang out with your boys. The Internet just came out. Kim, listen to this crazy ass song. And it blew my mind that people would sit around and write music like that. But it's always so. It's catchy and I just be blown away like, what the fuck?

[A]

And it's so shocking that you can't help but just like, play that again.

[B]

I grew up in the church. We listen to hip hop. My whole family. Black. I didn't know white boys were sitting around writing songs about black people. That's fair because why would. We would never do that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No. No black person has ever sat around and wrote like a. Don't write like a anti establishment song. Yeah, but ain't nobody in the history of negative ever sat around and talked about white people that much to write a song. I don't think about white people that often, and it's weird that others do.

[A]

That's fair.

[B]

But then I learned these songs, and now I may or may not have a song title that's even my.

[A]

Fantastic perfect answer. Tell me about picking up dead bodies for a living.

[B]

That was sick. I enjoyed that job. I did that during the pandemic.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's a scary time to.

[C]

In what capacity? What were you?

[B]

So I was an agent of the state of Maryland representing the state Anatomy board. The state Anatomy board is if you pass away unexpectedly and don't have funeral arrangements, but you also, like, you were just sick. If you were sick and passed away and you didn't have the money for a funeral and sometimes or like, judges needed to be held you go to the state anatomy board or, or if you donated your body to the state of the enemy board, I would come get you.

[A]

Wow. Yeah, there might be some people that are, that are ready to go just, just at the chance that you might come get them.

[B]

I mean people are odd.

[C]

So we're so were you going to like, like. Oh yeah, we gave this old lady had a wellness check. Turned out she, she passed away. You're doing like that and then like.

[B]

You walk in, it's like, oh, this woman, this woman has sat in this chair and been dead for like a week and a half.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Sick.

[A]

So that's, I mean that's like, that's a dark thing to see during a dark time.

[B]

But you know, somebody's got to do it. That. But I never viewed it as like dark. There were. I mostly I get more freaked out when I will like get the body to the refrigerator facility and then like you look at how many people pass like dog. For real. With every breath we take, someone on this planet is passing away.

[A]

Yeah. Now how many are you picking up a day?

[B]

It depends. Like it has ups and downs like everything else. Like the most. So you work a 12 hour. No, you work a 24 hour shift? Yeah, no, I work 12 hour shifts. And then on Sundays, Saturdays into Sunday I will work a 24. So like sometimes in a close like 36 hours, if you really hustle and bustling, you can probably put hands on anywhere from 20 to 25 bodies. But that's like a busy day.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

That's like maybe someone passed away in the hospital, but the hospital can just hold on to the body before we go get it. So I may have to go to multiple hospitals. Yeah, like fresh live that day deaths the most. I interacted with like 10 families in a 36 hour period that someone had, they had lost a loved one in that 36 hour period.

[A]

Right. What was the hell?

[C]

What was the most common cause of death?

[B]

Cancer. Yeah, every once in a while because it was a third party company. So he had the Anatomy boy contract. But he also serviced some funeral homes and other crematoriums. So sometimes it's just like grandma passed away, people passed away. And other times it's like suicide. Ah, yeah. Like I had to put a human brain in a bag.

[A]

I mean you have lived a life, man.

[B]

And he barricaded the door. His old lady went to the market, barricaded the door, did himself.

[C]

Damn.

[B]

Yeah. And then I just like.

[A]

So several pieces of brain had to go in this bag.

[C]

And how how was the pay for this job, if you don't mind me asking?

[B]

Under the table. I made like 1400 every two weeks.

[C]

Dynamite. Under the table during the pandemic. So. So you could still get the good check if you need it.

[B]

So. So here's the thing, though. As much as I do operate outside of the law, you know, I didn't steal any money during the pandemic. I didn't do any PPP loan. I didn't take any.

[A]

I wish I'd gotten on that, man.

[B]

Like, I made every. Every time my money's funny, I'm lashes. I did it.

[A]

Should have did it, dude.

[B]

But, like, I don't know. The world was going through a real up time and, like, I knew I had a job. You gotta have a balance of things. So. Yeah, I'm not gonna play a game.

[A]

You did good. You're good. You're a good man. Okay, so the year is 2014.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

We're at the Charm City art space. Yeah, I am playing. I'm playing in this moment, Twitching Tongues is playing. We say, hey, this song is called Master Killer. You enter the pit and headbutt a guy three times. His name is Ray. Yeah, you met him that day. And now you play and end it together.

[B]

Yeah, that's true.

[A]

That's beautiful stuff, man.

[C]

Holy.

[B]

So I'm obviously, I'm either having a drink or two. We're moshing, I'm throwing. I'm pitting hard as fuck. Now, Ray, I never met Ray before and raised of a similar ilk to us, but he's a much nicer guy than we are. Especially at that point in my life. My job gacked up, whatever. And Ray was like, man, you really going for it out there? And I hadn't thought it was like the away.

[A]

God, I love bringing people together.

[B]

I know I've done that to a couple guys and I've apologized to them since I'm from here.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I don't. What? I'm polite and friendly to friends of friends. I don't know you.

[A]

So how soon after that are you friend friends with Ray?

[B]

Even when I showed up that first day of Malicious co of ended rehearsal because I wrote Give up the same day I joined the band.

[C]

Okay, okay.

[B]

Shay walks me into the room and I'm like, I know you a little. Like, I knew these guys a little bit just from, like, I just started working at the Autobahn and, like, hanging out. I just moved into the city proper because where was I living? I was living with someone. Like, oh, yeah, about like three years, four years after that.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

So end it starts. You said Che walked you into the room. Does end it starts associated with flat spot.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

So obviously you know Che. Shout out.

[A]

Shout out to.

[B]

Me and him also. I got you. So like there's a house up in hand and off of 35th Street. 833 35th street and a lot of punks. I think justice lived there at one point in time. Like a lot of hardcore guys have either slept in them couches or stayed in that house. Lived there.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Shay and met Ray knew they had a band that they were working on. And then Shay took me to the first ended practice and that was it.

[A]

So you were. You were drafted in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. They. Che was like don't worry guys. I got the guy.

[B]

Well I think Shay had initially. I think he went there with intentions to do it to like be the vocalist himself. But I think he got there and was like actually I know a guy better suited for the style of music you're writing.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

And had you done any other band besides the Code?

[B]

So it was just malicious Code ended.

[A]

Damn flawless to Scott.

[B]

But remember though, I I. I've been performing my entire life.

[A]

Exactly. So and. And that that's something we're going to get into very soon.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And like just the. It's very evident that you were born for this rule.

[B]

Thanks.

[A]

And I can only imagine how the guys and end it. I don't know what they're expecting. You know they're like, okay, Chase says he's got a guy. I guess we got a guy. They struck. They hit the goddamn jackpot. So tell me about putting together the the end at debut immediately working with Flat Spot. How your dynamic grew within the band because you guys weren't close.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

No.

[A]

So. And that's. That's tough to do.

[B]

So in turn I can answer that. I can get along with anybody unfortunately. It's just with the. For some reason I decided to get into breakdowns and skateboards. So that's completely opposite from the whole way I was raised. But also I genuinely like to find and see the good in people. So like these dudes are fine. You guys drink beer. We obviously all like the same bands. Let's just make music. Like one of the biggest compliments I've ever gotten from the homie. When I found out my daughter was being. She was being conceived. She had been conceived. She was. Her mother was pregnant. I was expressing like a little bit of anxiousness and nervousness and he was like kill you're just dumb enough that what you're talking about won't affect you. And he's never been more correct.

[A]

That's beautiful.

[B]

Like, I didn't. I never even considered having to assimilate to the group or, like, do I like these guys? Do I not like these guys? They already played the songs a lot. I'm just here to write the songs and sing the music. I never even considered what they had going on in life, like who they were as people. These are just the guys I make.

[A]

Music with that makes so much sense. And I. I like. I. Your. I have witnessed firsthand your. I guess I wouldn't call it assimilation, you're right. But just it's. It's just authenticity that it shows. So that first year as a band, did you guys play a ton? Did you tour at all? How real did it did it get?

[B]

I believe within that first year? Because, yeah, Shay. Shay really facilitated at one point. You could have called Che, our manager. Like, our first show was with the Crads at the Windup Space, and they had Mackie on drums, AJ Leeway on guitar, Craig had on bass, and JJ doing vocals. I'm reading lyrics off of paper. Like, we had just wrote these songs, like, two weeks Friday, and we opened that.

[A]

So, like, that's as good as it gets.

[B]

That puts you on a great spot.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And Chad really held our hand and helped us get the EP out and all that. But in all honesty, I don't remember the first couple years because, like, Ray had to stop drinking. But I was working. You know, I'm bouncing at the Autobahn. I was a. I was working at another bar here and doing all these other things. I had a kid on the way, so.

[A]

Right. I don't know what were the expectations internally of end it at first.

[B]

So all the only thing Ray and I wanted to do was be the hardest band out of Baltimore. Because the band at the time that really got that Baltimore title did not.

[A]

Deserve say no more.

[B]

So that was the whole intention. We had no intentions of really playing it out or torn or anything. It was. It just wanted to be like, yeah, here's 10 minutes of what actually is hardcore. I'll see you kids in hell.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So it doesn't matter what you were doing, as long as you were harder than them, as long as it was.

[B]

Known, like, this is Baltimore Hulk. And mind you, at that point, that's like A. Yeah, 2016. It's like, you know, proud boys are doing their thing and yeah, motherfuckers are feeling bold. And I'M I'm skinny. I'm hanging out with this, this crew back home and like we were putting belt ass on like straight up. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a joke and it really.

[A]

You did it.

[B]

It really bothered me to like, wow. I'm putting my freedom and my life on the line and shedding blood. I'm shedding blood, sweat and tears and get to just say, oh, we from Baltimore. I ain't never seen you before. If he was really out there with us, you'd be beating people the down.

[A]

Like we are 100.

[B]

You don't come out to the bars, you don't go to certain shows. I don't see you no way you not doing what the I'm doing. Wow. That's all it was about. That's all it was about, was just being like, nah, this. There's a whole lot going on that if you came out and functioned, you.

[A]

Would see wow, outstanding. And my God, you did.

[B]

Now am. Am I in my mid-20s and got a kid? Yes. Was my behavior very irresponsible and immature sometimes? By all means. Ain't no Nazis in my scene.

[A]

That all. And you can confident. You can see comfortably and confidently.

[B]

You're not coming around here with that period.

[C]

As. As the number one Baltimore screwdriver fan. You can verify.

[B]

Verify.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

We still do that goofy sometimes because you know, it's all rooted in being an. I make no qualms of who I am. I'm not a good person. So it's fine. You'll get over.

[A]

I'm not just authentic.

[B]

I'm a grown ass man. I earned this. I'll be however the I want to be.

[A]

Outstanding. I love it. Now how far into end its career do you. Do you get in to start singing the oldies before the set?

[B]

Maybe four songs in like four sets.

[C]

Oh, okay.

[A]

So very early on. And now I now know for a fact you don't know which one you're gonna sing before a set starts.

[B]

Never.

[A]

You just have this unbelievable internal catalog of lyrics and melodies in your mind.

[B]

Oh yeah. Like I can. I mean, obviously we never wrote it around on tour. You can just put a song on. If it's a popular song, I probably know it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Across all genres.

[A]

So if you were on that show beat Shazam, I might be able to beat Shazam. Unbelievable. Seriously, I beat Shazam. If you're watching, I've got the guy for you.

[C]

So where does that. Where would you say that that comes from a kill? Is that like you just grew up Listening to the radio. Yeah.

[B]

Just growing up. So my old man was born in 49, and my mom was born in 57. Like, my dad had me when he was 41. Wow.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

He was 41 and nine years away from retiring from the steel mill after 30 years. So I grew up with old people. I went to a Baptist, a black Baptist church. My grandparents were born in the 20s, and I knew them. So, like, of course we got the radio, we got the hip hop. It's the 90s, but, like, I would come home and Lou Rawls was on and Princess, and we listen to the classic rock station because my old man told me growing up, there was no specified, like this, the hip hop, just the R B. That's the country station. This is classic rock. It was just the radio music.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So you grow, you gain appreciation for all styles of music.

[A]

So you're a student of the game.

[B]

I like music, period. Like, you know how you be on? Like, okay, Cupid or H and Tinder, some. Which I don't use, Mama, if you watch. And I don't be on there.

[A]

He doesn't do that, Mom.

[B]

I don't. I talk to him in real life. But if you on there and you'll see, like, I like ball music, but not country. It's like, yeah.

[A]

You like all music.

[B]

I just like music.

[A]

So your. Your hypothetical bio. So your MySpace music section went absolutely insane.

[B]

What else did I have to do? It was eight years long.

[A]

Unbelievable. Do you. Would you say you like touring?

[B]

I do it.

[A]

I do.

[C]

That's a great answer.

[A]

Front page.

[C]

I do.

[B]

I mean, so obviously, you boys and tour. Your first tour, you pump.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Your second tour, you still pumped?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Eighth. Ninth tour.

[A]

Just tired.

[B]

God damn it.

[A]

What is the band dynamic like by this point? By the time you guys are like, constantly steady touring. Who's the little fucker? Who's the sleepy guy? Who's the dad?

[B]

So Pat Martin and Chris Gonzalez are mutually the dad.

[A]

Okay, that makes sense.

[B]

Occasionally, Pat Martin is your weekend.

[C]

Oh, interesting.

[B]

You see, you see Papa Pat on the weekend. He got to do during the week. But Chris is always dead.

[A]

He's keeping the ship afloat.

[B]

You got me and Big John. We're RIP rolling. I'm a little bit. I have to be more responsible than Johnny because I. I am representing. I'm the face of the band, whatever. So. Yeah, but me and Big John are problem. If you're gonna have a problem, it's probably gonna be out of me and Johnny and Ray. Ever since Ray stopped drinking and like, he started to deal with some of his personal issues. Rachel, he's just there. He's really in his. He's in his head.

[A]

Yeah, he's just thinking.

[B]

He's just thinking. You heard the riffs.

[A]

I've heard him. So he's the riffman.

[B]

He's. He's a riffman.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Like, right. I remember one of our first tours. I'm hanging out with Ray, and he's just like. He used to do this thing called mouth guitar where he, like, kill. I got this. Right? He just beat.

[A]

All the time, you gotta do it.

[C]

You gotta do it. I mean, we're.

[B]

He mentioned the term trello picking. I never heard of it. And then he showed me what it was. Yeah, use it. Do that, do that. I like that. That's what that is. I like that word. I never forgot that word.

[A]

Do you consider yourself a hater?

[B]

Yes. Of the highest one.

[A]

Talk to me.

[B]

I woke up right, about yelling about this this morning because should I talk about that or you want to just hear about hate?

[A]

I want to hear. I want to hear what you've been hating lately. Yeah, I want to hear what you started hating. So I want to hear about hate in general.

[B]

You boys. You boys got the Internet. You're right. Sure.

[A]

Oh, I'm all over it.

[B]

I'm scrolling doom. Scrolling brain rotting. Don't care. I learned about this thing called an everything shot. Yeah, I didn't know that that was a thing. I'm gonna say. It's. I only saw Caucasian women talking about it, so I guess it's like, there's, like, levels to showering. I was not aware it was like, oh, there's just a shower to leave the house, and then there's an everything shower where I exfoliate. Blah, blah, blah.

[A]

I'm like, oh, I don't know about any of that.

[B]

Exactly. Can you just do it and shut the up?

[C]

Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. If you're in a rush, if you just got. Got home, got back from sweating, but you. You gotta. You have to shower and you got somewhere to go.

[A]

Well, I think there's long showers and.

[C]

There'S short showers, and that's all this is. But.

[B]

That's all this is. But they got.

[C]

They got more steps.

[B]

It's called a shower.

[A]

It's just a shower.

[B]

You're just washing your ass, and you should be thankful that you got running water and a place to wash ass.

[C]

Yeah, but we're talking shaving, we're talking grooming and all kinds of prep that's everything and that's everything.

[B]

And I get that. No, I totally comprehend the label. Right, Gotcha. Also shut the fuck up. Like I hate, I hate that the Internet always some other shit. I saw the other day this woman basically gentrified lean. She took some Z cool, put it in a cup, started adding shit to it and started out like, yeah, that's drug abuse. You're a drug addict.

[A]

Oh, that's what Lean drugs and shut the fuck up.

[B]

No one fucking cares. Like that's how good you got it. People are being killed. We sitting here trying to make showers more interesting.

[A]

Right. It's like Bo's protein soda thing.

[B]

Nah, that was cool though.

[A]

But they're doing it with sleeping stuff which is kind of, kind of sick.

[B]

But Bo's not those not trying to push it on me by like being in the towel with a little bit of titty me showing talking about everything shower. I see what you drift is now.

[A]

I didn't factor that in.

[B]

Wash your hands and shut the fuck up right now.

[A]

Wash your hands. I would love to know.

[C]

I would love to know two things.

[B]

What's up?

[C]

What, what is a thing that you like, hate the most? That is the most common pop. Like a thing that like you see you can't stand.

[B]

So a thing that I do and I do with every band and I have to eat pro often and apologize, but it's who I some band will come out and if like too many of the wrong people like it, I hate it without engaging with it. I can't give it a non biased engagement because I have that much disdain for what's going on.

[C]

Sure.

[A]

I mean that is a tale as old as time where sometimes the, the fan base misrepresents ruins what you're hearing, you know. But as a typo negative guy, sure. I can't stand for what the majority of that world is.

[B]

Yeah, like that's not. Just not your bag.

[A]

It's not my bag, but the tunes are the tunes.

[C]

When you feel that way about a band and then like 10 years later something happens and you go, I knew it. I knew it.

[A]

Sucked. Yeah.

[B]

It's always like about a guy too, you know what I mean? Like I'll meet someone and everyone like with this guy but something in my spirit is like nah. And then you find out like oh yeah, he tried to put his penis in girls when they sleep. I knew something was wrong with. I knew it even worse when I go to press a motherfucker out and then people like no, don't do it. Why'd you do that? And then years later, that person got comfortable. And when I should have broke his hand, you guys didn't want me to break his hand. Now he's using his hands to commit atrocities when I could have took his hands away.

[A]

Is it not? Every time.

[B]

Every single time.

[A]

Every single time.

[C]

Okay, now the opposite of my question.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

What? What's something that you fuck with? Something maybe. Maybe that you secretly fuck with that you should hate? Bowling.

[A]

Bowling is one of the things that I wish so badly to be good at.

[C]

I'm so bad at it, you would not believe.

[A]

You would not.

[C]

Terrible at it.

[A]

How awful. I. I have in my life gotten a gutterball with bumpers.

[C]

He just bounced it over.

[A]

You wouldn't believe it.

[B]

And the thing is, you are sober.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah. No pictures of beer.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, they just so.

[A]

But it doesn't grow. It doesn't go where I want it to go.

[C]

Dude. I took. So one of the. One of the gym classes you could take as a junior or senior in my high school was off campus. And for a couple months you would go bowling.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Every day you'd go to a bowling alley. I should be great. And if I score near 80, I'm like, holy shit. I had a good game.

[B]

You guys just gotta come bowl with me.

[A]

I would love that. So you've hit that, have you? Hit a turkey three strikes in a row?

[B]

My Highest games are 289. Oh, God. I used to bowl with dudes who had, like, 20 and 30. 300 games.

[C]

Really?

[A]

If I get over a hundred.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I could shed a tear.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It feels like you're like, I did it.

[B]

You know all it is. I'm gonna tell you guys exactly what you're doing. You gotta be. That's why we exaggerate so much while we do it. But if you keep that arm straight and just throw it straight, that's where it's gonna go. You get so hyped up on throwing it hard that you cross your body.

[C]

Yeah, I cross. Yeah, it's exactly.

[B]

That ball's doing much more damage than you believe when you moderate the speed. At any rate, we can do this in real life.

[C]

I would love that. Dude, we should do an episode where we bowl.

[A]

Yeah. We're coming to Baltimore. We're coming to Baltimore.

[C]

We're gonna go bowling.

[B]

Well, one.

[A]

I have a newfound pet peeve. Yeah. That I've finally come to terms with. That I've been waiting to talk about.

[C]

Oh, do tell.

[A]

In an event with audience participation, when the first applause isn't loud enough. Oh, I see you can do better than that. Let me, let's hear it one more time. And if I have to do the second applause, I am promptly leaving the room.

[B]

I don't want to be here anymore.

[A]

I'm out. I wasn't. What I. My best wasn't good enough. Then I'm, I don't want to give you any more.

[C]

Especially when it's like, no, no, this is Omaha. Let's hear it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Then I'm. I'm going to fucking Tulsa. Okay.

[C]

That'S a good one. Performative fake stage shit is really rough.

[A]

Like choreography and whatnot.

[C]

No, like speaking just like, just like the YouTube. And you hear a lot of the same every night. And I don't need that.

[B]

I don't want to hear the same. Okay. But also good on you guys because that would imply that I'm watching the other bands on tour.

[C]

Oh, well, one thing I will say.

[B]

Even on the Drain tour, like, yo, I'm all excellent bands every night. And like when a new band would hop on, definitely watch them out of respect the first night. But like, you know how it is. I need to shower. I maybe have not eaten. Well, I'm dealing with something. But I do still feel bummed that I didn't watch Terror, everyone.

[C]

Yeah, that's, that's a car. That's one of them for sure.

[A]

That's fair.

[B]

That's one of them. Like I was like, I'm so, I'm so actually tired, but I want to go see Terror. Shout out Scavold. Shout out to John the Greatest.

[A]

Well, that's. Tell me about balancing touring with such incredible bands and fatherhood.

[B]

The mother of my child has a baby and I have a little girl I occasionally talk to. It's unfortunate. There's really no balance, you know, like she's at the point Now I can FaceTime her, I can call her, but like, you know, time marches on. What you gonna do? Yeah, so when I come home, I make time to go see it. But other than that, Daddy's out here living his life.

[A]

It's hard. But you know, I, I, I do think as she gets older, she will, you know, see what you spent your life doing and, and like what you are building for yourself and, and appreciate.

[B]

It because I was there. I've never been. This is the like doing all this touring is really the farthest I've ever been from. I, I've always been in my kids life.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But you know, you do six weeks, eight weeks In X amount of weeks in. It's a lot, but I do, I do believe, luckily the band's like doing something. My only saving grace some days like to not feel as guilty is the fact like I'm not just some SoundCloud rapper.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like as much as like my. My finances may mimic that. I'm soundcloud rapper. I'm not, you know, like we are doing bigger shows, we're getting opportunities. So hopefully it'll. It'll. If I could get a 2006 Honda Accord at the end all this, at least it was. She can drive it.

[A]

Amen. And then it'll last forever.

[B]

I'd kill for that Honda.

[C]

Exactly.

[A]

Beautiful. So 2020 hits and you've got your next record finally. Yeah, one way track, you know, big, big record for you guys. You played off it for years, but also you had a little pandemic in the way. What was that like for you guys? How badly did that stall your plans?

[B]

So again, shout out Chris. We put. We made it to Merch in the midst of the pandemic. Was able to donate some money to some places. Of course, like, we all, you know, we all didn't know what was coming. So we probably. There are probably moments where like, this is it. That's why I went so hard into picking up bodies things because I was like, I've always wanted to own a crematorium or something. So I get my foot in the door and I get to pick up bodies.

[A]

All right, well, so that was like an aspirational career choice. That was not just like, I guess I'll pick up the bodies.

[B]

So it was a. Wow. I. I had always wanted to do it, but I've never wanted to go to college. And in order to be like a mortician or a funeral director.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You got to go to college.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And I don't want to do that because I want to go to hardcore show. So I was on indeed. And came across that job. It was like, that's. I've always wanted to do this. Sick. And then the pandemic happened. I was like, well, this is it. Yeah.

[A]

And that's the time where like, people were not jumping for that job. I'm pretty sure.

[B]

Yeah. No, not at all. It was such a go for real. So many fucking people died during the pandemic. It was insane. It was insane. And just. And it was a lot of like. All right, so there's a lot of like heavyweight people because, you know, this is again, your respiratory.

[A]

Respiratory. Yeah, of course.

[B]

You know, if you Depending on how much adipose tissue you got on your body, it's gonna weigh down and all that. I'm not a doctor. I picked up a lot of bariatric patients. Like one day, the first three, somewhere between three to five bodies I put hands on, everyone was like over six foot and over 350 pounds.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

And mind you to raise that cot a little, that cat. And you, like, kind of got a deadlifted.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

And like, I gotta get it in the truck. And sometimes you're going downhill, sometimes you're going uphill, and you just gotta get those. And then when you get to the place, you gotta get that dead weight off of the table, onto this table.

[A]

So the one silver lining there is that, you know, a lot of people gained weight during the pandemic.

[C]

You're getting.

[A]

You got.

[B]

I lowkey. Didn't get jacked because I was not like, crazy cut. But you know, you guys work on. You go to.

[A]

People saw you, you know, people saw you out. You. You don't see your friends for a while. Sometimes you see each other. You go, oh, shit.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

But people saw you post pandemic and they're like, damn, dude, good job.

[C]

Was it just you working?

[B]

So, like, if it was like a house call, depending on the. The scenario, you would have some assistance. But like, if you were just going to pick up a body from a hospital or a nursing home, like, if the beds were able to raise up and down, you can just transfer them to your cat exchange by yourself.

[C]

I got you. Okay, cool.

[A]

So did you guys get to do much touring or play much off of One way track?

[B]

Nah, because we dropped it. I want to say January, February of 2020.

[A]

And it was January, January 2020.

[B]

And then the world shut down.

[C]

Damn.

[A]

But you came back hard. And I think Unpleasant Living is like, this makes you guys.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I think this is where I see ended for the first time. Was it the FYA where it was first?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So that was the thing where it's like, I'm arriving.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I show up as you're starting, and I'm like, all right, I got this gear, but I'll watch a song. And I end up staying the entire time. And my God, is that rare. And I do think such a huge part of that is just like, oh, my God, this singer's got it. Yeah, my God, he's doing it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So tell me about Unpleasant Living. Starting the whole. The kind of proper, like, fest and tour circuit with that record New Age Slavery. Just as a song, just hitting as a hardcore song in general. Tell me about that time and. And putting that record together.

[B]

So, mind you, picking up bodies. I'm a dad. I'm like getting off work to immediately, like, I'll get off work at 6am her mom would drop her off at 7. I'd have the baby from like 7 to 4, get some rest to go back to work at 6am I don't like to harp on the drugs and alcohol. If any children or any vulnerable people, you got to take everything I say with a grain of salt. This shit worked for me. I'm lucky. A lot of drinking, a lot of drug abuse. And that's just like in response to the pandemic. I don't write that down, but like in response to the pandemic and just like the world, the state of the world at that time and we've already had opportunities. Like we all drank or either did drink or do drink. So it was just rip roaring, brother. You the. You drink. I get off a shift here. I'm bouncing at the club here. I got my kid. So Ray would send me songs and I just write to him, you know, like, no, no crazy inspiration, no nothing in life. Just like, this is how I feel right now. We got a song and all.

[A]

That's how it's real.

[B]

Those first two albums, dog, I did a lot of that writing, like in the studio, day of his race, tracking guitars. I'm writing lyrics because that's just the way my life was at that moment in time. It was hectic.

[C]

Any, Any lyrics or choices you made that you would go back and change? Like, are there any, any, any lines which you're like, no, that is one.

[B]

Thing we don't do. We definitely don't.

[C]

Great.

[B]

You ain't gonna say no. Corny outlet, right? I've definitely come. I've definitely. I've definitely maybe once tried to draft my death style. Mimics my lifestyle. And someone's like, hey, don't do that.

[A]

That's. That's the one. Frantic lyrics are the one thing that's off the thing.

[B]

Yeah, one thing. You can have a frantic outline, but you're gonna have to put your ego to the side and let the boys read it so you don't say something that's too.

[A]

Hey, fair is fair. This is the time where you guys decide you're not the goal isn't just be the hardest man in Baltimore, but take the show on the road.

[B]

So remember how I mentioned at the beginning I'm kind of dumb I never viewed it as a. I just viewed it as, oh, people like it. They want us to come play here.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So it was never like, oh, we're. Yeah, we need to go show people that, like, we can do it in New York and we can play here. It's just like, someone wants us to come play Poughkeeping. You want to go play Poughkeepsie? Yeah. J Mindfold want us to play with him? Let's go to Pokemon. You know what I mean? Like, it never.

[C]

So there was never, like.

[B]

What'd you say?

[C]

I'm sorry. So there was never like, an act of like, all right, guys, we're going for it. Starting now. It was just.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Opportunities are coming.

[B]

If anything, this moment, like, me talking to y'all in this time of the band, we're putting the. The mindset on, like, oh, we can actually make something happen with this.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Which is why we're taking the album seriously. And I'm. I'm showing up with things written. We're taking it more professionally, but it was really stumble, bumble and stumble this whole time, just like, wow, that is lovely.

[A]

I mean, with. With. With utmost grace, it seems.

[B]

Yeah. I don't remember. We come from that hardcore tradition, dog. Like, I'm not. I'm not nobody. I'm a. From Baltimore who like hardcore. That's all that's happening here.

[A]

That's all I need, you know, creatively.

[B]

Seriously. I didn't. I don't. I don't know. I don't have no idea how I got here. I just like going to shows. I think Breakdowns are cool. Hardcore set. I like.

[A]

Oh, do you have a favorite tour you guys have done yet?

[B]

They all have stellar moments, and I'm appreciative, so I can't really say, like, there's. There was one tour that was just like, oh, my goodness.

[A]

Are there some stellar moments that come to mind that you would share with me?

[B]

Yeah, let's see. How about the first time we played Los Angeles and this is with another iteration of the band we played. We hop on. We weren't necessarily supposed to play this show on tour, but we hop on this show. The last second we played that band, Count Time la. Some drums. We just played with Count Time in la. We pull into lapointe, and, like, I look the way I look. I got these three, four white boys in tow. And, like, we walk into places you can just feel because, like, we had our old drummer and our old basis were more like hunk rockers as opposed.

[A]

To, like, so Chris was not an original member of the band?

[B]

No, Chris wasn't the original drummer.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. No. Chris was on that first west coast tour, but like, our old basis, you know, he wore like, leather jackets. It was just himself. He's just like a regular punk dude. But, like, we could. We all. You could feel it when we walk in the room. Like, the is going on here. Oh, and that night, somebody, like, these two women tried this. They saw one of our dudes walking back to our hotel room, and, like, they came up, started knocking on the door, and they're like, oh, we trying to get in. And this went off like, 10, 15 minutes. And then, like, they tried to push through the door. And, like, they walk away and. And like, we peek out the door to see what's going on. There's, like two guys standing there with the two women, and they all huddled up, like, trying to get in our room. And now what? I'm me telling you, this is secondhand because whole time I'm laid up in the bed, half sleep, half awake, talking about, fuck it, let him in.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Like, they. They were. It's funny, in that moment, they were definitely mad at me. They were like, what do you mean? I was like, there's too much running around. Y'all need to do it. Lay down. If they get in this. I'm tired. Like, that's one.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Damn.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

What's. Yeah. What. What's a more recent one?

[B]

I kicked a kid off stage in London. That was fun.

[A]

Love that.

[B]

I stomped on a goober outbreak. You know, the kids do that. Army crawl. Don't do that when I'm playing.

[C]

No. Speaking of, have you seen. Have you seen what Drain have popularized?

[B]

Not what they do.

[A]

Smart people doing the row thing. So he tells everybody to jump on the people rowing, and then the whole crowd is just dog piles.

[C]

Just a big pile. It's way.

[B]

Wait, kids are rowing to the drone?

[C]

Yeah. God damn. Makes me so mad. It's like a metal thing.

[A]

And.

[C]

Yeah, that's a metal thing, totally. And then. But then, because, you know, gatekeeping is at an all time low, and more and more people are going to shows, you get this crossover of behavior, See.

[B]

And that's completely opposite of what we. We traditionally have done as hardcore kids. Like my nephew the other day, he bent down the tire shoe and instantly I just stood in front of him and he's like, what are you doing?

[A]

I was like, oh, somebody's gonna kill you, man.

[B]

Or in the parking lot where your father's car is Exactly.

[A]

That's just good instincts.

[B]

Yeah, that's the way he was. Why don't you sit on the ground while a band is playing?

[C]

Yeah, exactly. So it's same. Why would you army crawl across the stage?

[B]

Especially after I've been hawking loogies on it the whole time.

[A]

Yeah, that's nasty.

[B]

Yes. There's like spit and sweat and on the front head.

[A]

You wouldn't believe the rock. The way I can rock. It's not straight up. You should not put your hands on this stage if I'm up there.

[B]

Also, the way, you know, you go to give. You know, when someone gave you the mic when you were younger, you kind of embraced it. You took it. But, like, we're here together. You didn't grab my wrist at full speed.

[A]

They're animals.

[B]

Yo. A drunk piece of. In Hamburg, Germany. You're cooking a gable grip. And tried to get me off the stage. He grabbed my ankle with like a gable grip. Fucking.

[A]

Oh, I got a few of those. That. That people. Some people can back up. The thing that I can't take now, that's happening a lot is people grabbing my shirt and pulling me. Dude, I'm going to strike you as hard as I can.

[C]

Yeah, don't pull the shirt, man.

[B]

I really don't do it.

[C]

I love.

[A]

That's why I'm wearing it. I'm specifically like, look how cool this shirt is. I thought it was worthy of presenting to all of you.

[B]

You. And guess what? If you're nice enough to me, I may take it off and give it to you 100. I did that. It sounded fair. I wanted.

[A]

That's nice.

[B]

That car heart shirt, it was gold foil. It's a car heart on the front.

[C]

I remember it. Yeah.

[B]

And I was walking around in it and Skip's like, yo, can you take a picture? And I said, sure. He's like, I really. With that shirt. And I was like, you want it? And he's like, what? And I was like, it's covered in dirt and it's gross, but you can have it. What I'm gonna do, go watch it.

[A]

All you gotta do is not pull on your favorite singer's shirt. And he may just give it to you.

[B]

I may just give it to you. If you ask nice enough, I'll probably say yes. I'll be giving. That's why they don't let me sell merch. If you seem genuinely enough like you don't have any money, I'll give you a shirt.

[A]

You'll just give it to him.

[B]

Especially A young kid, all young kids and don't play with me. But like, if you had just enough money to get into the show, like if you're a young black and brown kid, you had enough money to get in the show. And I'm talking like 15 and under. If you find me, come holl at me. I'll probably give you a shit.

[A]

That's beautiful. You. I, I, that's, I'm, that's on the record now, so I'm sorry, that's out there.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And have five come ask me for a shirt at the same time. The answer will be no. But a one off every once in a while, they gonna break the man.

[A]

My dad's rationale for. So I was very honest growing up and going, going to the Cobalt Cafe, going to shows was like, dad, I need 10 bucks for a shirt. Trust me. And his rationale was that whatever it was, it was going to be cheaper than something at Walmart or Target. So he was like, all right, I'm happy to make you happy because it's still saving me money somehow.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, you gotta, you got a healthy outlet. You're out of my house.

[A]

He, I mean, he, he still cannot believe straight edge.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Every day. He's like, coolest thing ever. It's so cool.

[B]

It's so cool. He told you kids on do this.

[A]

And you don't have to share with me, you know?

[C]

Yeah, it's huge. My dad never got it. One time he got mad at me for swearing somewhere, like online or something, and he was like, why are you swearing? You're straight edge. Like, he didn't get it. He thought it meant like boy Scout, you know?

[B]

Yeah. My dad used to do something similar with the skinhead thing. You know, he will walk around being skinhead. I'm like, me forgetting to do the dishes.

[A]

Unbelievable. We are so sorry about this interruption, but I've gotta talk to you guys about something very important. Especially you, Bo. Bo, you ever feel physically unwell, like you're not putting the right stuff in your body?

[C]

I used to, every single day of my life. And then, you know what happened?

[B]

What happened?

[C]

I started indulging in AG1.

[A]

AG1. This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. AG1 is the all in one daily multivitamin powder that you put straight in this 12 to 16 ounces of cold water. Enjoy. You will feel yourself more energized. You will feel like you're putting the right things in your body because you are all the probiotics, prebiotics, and daily vitamins Your body is missing. Tell them what they get, Bo.

[C]

If you use athletic green hardlore, you get five free travel packets of AG1, which are perfect. Lord knows the holidays are coming up. You're gonna be traveling.

[A]

Bring them with you. It never ends for either of us. And thankfully, we have these damn travel packs to keep us going, keep us well, keep us healthy. You need them. And also, you get a year's supply of vitamin D and K drops.

[C]

And the crazy thing about that is it really does last a year.

[A]

When I just ran out.

[C]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

And it was like I thought. I thought that day would never come. So please take care of your body. We know what you're eating. You listen to our show. We know what you're doing. Okay? You can. You can reverse it a little bit with AG1. And just make sure while you're putting the crap in.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Etc. You're putting the good stuff, too.

[C]

We read the DMS. We see what you're eating.

[A]

Please, please knock it off. No, don't necessarily knock it off. They knock it on with the Ag one. Okay. Knock it on top of it with a little bit of AG1.

[C]

Perfect.

[A]

This episode is also brought to you by Manscaped.

[C]

Let me tell you something. I just got out of the shower. As a matter of fact, Colin, I just got out of a bath, hit the gym, took a bath. I used a body scrubber. I used the body wash. I used. The crop preserver is the one that I used after I got out. Yeah. Dried off. I'm feeling. Look at me. Look at.

[A]

Let me tell you. But we just. We played those Tsunami shows a couple weeks ago. There was a show in Riverside, where.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

On the way there, I realized I forgot to put on a single Manscape product during the set. I was so conscious of my funk that it, like, affected the way that I sang.

[C]

It was Grand Faulk Railroad in there.

[A]

I'm telling you, man, it was straight up, like. I don't know if it's a placebo effect, but I know for a fact that when my crops are preserved, I perform better.

[C]

Wow. Performance enhancing stuff.

[A]

It's cream. You wouldn't believe it. I barely do, but I stand by it. And you should, too. If you use code hardware site wide, you get 20% off and free shipping on all manscaped products.

[C]

And that is crazy. Christmas is coming up. Stocking stuffers galore. Code HARDLAW. 20% off, free shipping sitewide.

[A]

Just. Just get on it, okay? Quit messing around. This episode, lastly, is brought to you By Guilty Party. This the greatest menswear store in North America and that's a fact.

[C]

I wear something from Guilty Party every single day. And I feel like a million dollars because I look like a million dollars.

[A]

Like a billion dollars.

[C]

There we go.

[A]

All of our favorite brands. FreeNote316 Ironheart, Red Wings, Red Wing.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Every time I step out in a guilty party thing, somebody stops me and says, what are you doing? I said, get your fucking hands off.

[C]

Me, Guilty Party, bitch.

[A]

Don't touch me. I got a guilty. You're the guilty party for touching me, you bastard. But in all seriousness, this place is amazing. It's in Atlanta. It's co owned by the Drummer Foundation. So you're. You're supporting a small business, you're supporting a great business. You're supporting a friend of the show really very much. And if you use code hard lore, you're getting 10% off for one.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

And anything over $350, which Lord knows it might be because this is premium stuff, you're gonna get free shipping.

[C]

Let me tell you guys something. There's a chance that's one item because it's high quality stuff.

[A]

It's. It's meant it's built to last, okay. Much like Earth Crisis, much like sick of it all. Okay.

[C]

The point being this one thing you get, you can get money off potentially most likely. And it's gonna last you, period. Period.

[A]

Back to the episode. When in this does stand up come along for you?

[B]

Just like with the, the opportunities, like all of the getting on the tour, the festival circuits and like that. The songs, the songs aren't chosen. I have no idea what I'm gonna say in between each song.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I just get up on stage and start talking. Really.

[A]

And then, and then eventually somebody goes, hey, do you want to do just that?

[B]

Yeah. For me, somewhere, Ian was like, hey, I'm doing this thing in LA just for sound and fury. You want to go do stand up? I was like, I don't have anything written. He's like, you'll be fine.

[A]

And how was it?

[B]

Everyone said it went well. It's no different than being on the stage.

[C]

Yeah. How long did you do?

[B]

Anywhere from like two to three minutes.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't do it.

[C]

Did you enjoy it?

[B]

Yeah, like it. I wouldn't see me doing that full time. So like I, I respect comedy a lot.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I know I could obviously be a stand up comedian, but 100. I don't, I just don't see me doing that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

There's A, you know, a lot of people, people put in a lot of hard work and effort. And if, if the comedy world is anything like the hardcore world, I wouldn't, I wouldn't with me for.

[A]

You gotta start over.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I also think there's, there's a different amount of ego needed to, to say to the world, I'm so fucking funny and I need to be paid for it versus I am. I love music and I just want.

[B]

To make it, you know, I just like talking. But if someone wants to offer me money to be funny, I'm going to do so.

[C]

That's what I think is, Is so interesting about it, is it's the only music. You go to see music live, you're experiencing it in some way. Like all these different avenues for art are one thing, but comedy, stand up is the only thing where you're going with the expectation to be made to laugh.

[A]

I'm gonna have the best, like paying.

[C]

I'm paying you, and you better fucking make me laugh. Which is, yeah, kind of a crazy concept because when we're on stage playing music, I don't really, I don't give a shit how you're feeling like you're here.

[B]

If anything, I could see, I could see myself kind of doing a, like Rollins spoken word type thing as opposed to what is stand up comedy?

[A]

I mean, that is a lot of that is straight up stand up. It's funny. So I would, I would be the first ticket sold.

[C]

I, I was saying Rollins had like a Comedy Central. Special. I remember, like he did way, way back in the day. Yeah. And it was.

[A]

Dude, I think that is just a spoken word thing that Comedy Central aired as comedy because.

[B]

Because it is funny. Yeah. I'll probably end up doing more like a, A, A lecture, spoken word type thing as opposed to like a, a come here and laugh thing. If the just happens to be funny, it's funny.

[C]

But, but do you know what I think can never mix stand up at a hardcore show.

[A]

Oh, like, we've tried it. We've tried it.

[C]

You can't do it.

[A]

This poor kid.

[B]

They don't have the attention span.

[A]

They're not ready. They're not in the, in the space for it to laugh. They're in there for violence and God, they should be. It ain't a time for laughter.

[B]

It's like, I took me. If I was talking too long in between songs and some kid was like, shut the up, I'd be like, you right? Yeah.

[C]

This one's called, you know what?

[B]

I don't Even know what I'm talking. This next song's called yeah, yeah.

[A]

Is there a band you've played with or toured with that really made you feel like, God damn, Akil, you did it, man.

[C]

Yeah, we made.

[B]

We did those couple days with gorilla biscuits, and I got to, like, introduce myself to S. And S was like, I gotta follow that.

[A]

And I was like, sorry, bud, that's pretty cool.

[B]

But also, he had gorilla biscuits like, you. You'll be fine.

[A]

100%.

[B]

Yeah, but that one. And when we told with, well, Suicidal Tendencies and that, it was like, H2O. Suicidal judge. That tour that really secured, like, oh, wow, Carco rules.

[A]

Yeah, it really does. I know you did at least a show with Life of Agony, which was that full circle after listening to them on the jukebox at the Blarney Stone.

[B]

Hell, yeah. How you know about that? I don't know what you know about singing loa at the Stone at max volume, pissing everybody off, but what.

[A]

Exactly. And then you're playing with them.

[B]

Yeah. And then we play with him. Yeah, that was badass. They came back to Baltimore a second time, and we all, like, was sitting in VIP just, like, screaming from the side of the stage. And he was funny as hell to see, like, the other people in the front because it's, like, a little separated and people just looking at us like, what the. What the is going on here? Because it's like, six dudes. Six dudes and three girls are screaming Loa. I love life.

[A]

That's what it's all about. Beautiful. Now, tell me about this LP that we got coming.

[B]

So what.

[A]

What can I expect musically? What is the moshability on the scale of 0 to 10? And when can we expect this?

[B]

So right now it's looking, like, slated. Like, we'll be done late January, early February. Like, think. Everything will be tracked and recorded anywhere from 12 to 14 songs.

[C]

Damn.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Big boy.

[B]

I believe. Yeah, there's a cover in there.

[C]

Beautiful.

[B]

And like, the. The band we're covering is. All right, look at it this way. I literally got permission to cover the song. So, yeah, no exaggeration. 7.8 out of 10. Maybe even an eight and a half. Trying to be.

[A]

That is. I really. The. The humility there.

[B]

Really? Yeah, but this is.

[A]

The humility matches the moshability. And I really respect that.

[B]

Like, we. You know, I listen to him and I'm like, yeah, I don't listen to them. Like, oh, man, I hope people like these songs. I'm like, yep, I'm gonna. I'm gonna be on the road some more.

[A]

Okay, cool. That's what's up.

[C]

I like that. Oh, that got me. It gave me chills a little bit.

[A]

That was good.

[B]

Yeah. Next time we're all around each other in real life, holla at me. I'll let you listen to it.

[A]

I would love that. You know, I'm just. I do think it's time. The people are ready. We're ready. I'm excited to see just what this thing does.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So the potential for end. It is. The sky has.

[C]

Has ended. Been to Europe yet?

[B]

I just came home from Europe a week ago.

[A]

Talk to me.

[B]

How'd you feel with Black Spot World tour? Life's question. Mortal form us speed. Am I missing?

[A]

It was.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

But that. I mean, that's a hell of a tour to do.

[B]

Whiskers Shout out Whispers.

[C]

Well, yeah. Whisper.

[A]

Incredible, man.

[B]

Such some investing.

[A]

Tell me about that tour. Tell me about your other times going to Europe. How are your experiences there?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So this is our second bus tour. And that was cool.

[A]

Huge.

[B]

I'm obviously. I've done it three times now. So, like, I understand, like, people aren't staring at me because they're like, what the is he doing here? They're more so staring because, like, that's just what they do over there. Yeah. It's just a different. It's just accepting different cultures. There's no. There's gonna be some. Something racially motivated that happens in Europe 100. It's here. It's here. I know what I'm.

[A]

They're. They're behind, you know?

[B]

Yeah. And so in some. Their food. You ever notice how in Europe the food almost tastes like what it's supposed to taste like?

[C]

Yeah, it almost tastes like food.

[B]

It's like you were all. You're so close. This is. Why did you put cheese sauce on top of the entire burger? I Fuck, I guess I'll eat this.

[A]

They're just missing those beautiful unknown chemicals that we know and love.

[B]

Msg.

[A]

Oh, yeah. The best.

[C]

I had an epiphany the other day about Europe.

[A]

Epiphany.

[C]

I don't think I've shared this yet, but Akil, tell me if you find this to be accurate to what you. You went through in the States. We are. When we were participating in this music specifically. Have I said this before, Colin? I believe that we are a collection of individuals experiencing a live band. There are individuals, all experiences. You got people stage diving, skanking, moshing, singing along, doing whatever it's individuals doing. A thing in Europe, I believe the experiences, the community doing one thing, doing an individual experience. So if everyone's standing, everyone's standing. If everyone's stage diving, everyone's stage diving. It's like, what are we all doing? That's the mindset in most of Europe, with the exception of the Glasgow guys and like certain pockets.

[A]

Oh yeah.

[C]

You know.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

This is my epiphany.

[B]

It goes. You're not too far off because you know how like they are with their politics and sometimes like. Yeah. They are more so about the community doing the thing as opposed to like that guy's doing his own.

[C]

Yeah, that. Oh, he's.

[A]

Yeah. Thank God for that guy, man. But it's also worldwide. That guy keeps it going.

[B]

As much as we hate their food and some of their customs though, I got to give credit where credit is due. You go play a venue, there's a kitchen that you're getting fed, freshly made food. And the sound is. There's a trust rig and lighting and the sound's perfect because the government subsidizes this because.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

And again that speaks to the whole like it's a community doing one thing.

[A]

But when you get to some of these lower scale tours, the, the government subsidizing those shows means that the promoter doesn't need to promote it as hard at all. And at all.

[C]

Or at all. Yeah, right.

[A]

Yeah. Or at all. And that is what. That's when it's like, I don't think I. I need to play music, let alone listen to music anymore. But I'm glad you have not. You're not having that experience lately.

[C]

As we're winding down Colin, do you have any more and it specific questions that you have there?

[A]

Not towards end but I do want to get into, you know.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because here's the thing, the real shit.

[C]

We're talking to a guy who picked up bodies, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I got to know a kill.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You.

[C]

You believe in ghosts?

[B]

No, just I don't believe in like I've never seen and like outside of just like picking up bodies, I've just been places I feel, I believe more like an energy.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Like I've definitely walked into some places where I know something bad has happened. I'm like, oh, that don't. That the energy in this room is off.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

But I don't believe in ghosts. I ain't never seen no ghosts.

[A]

Are you open to it?

[B]

Not really.

[C]

Yeah, I'm there with you. I'm right.

[A]

I'm wide open. So if there's any ghosts Listening. I. I welcome you. I've. I've. I'll put the kettle on. You know, whatever you need.

[B]

I'm not. I just. Yeah, I never thought. Because I. You talking like an apparition, like. You talking like you want to see a ghost.

[A]

I want the full shebang. I want a blue, floating, vaporized apparition.

[B]

Now, I do believe in poltergeist.

[C]

Interesting.

[B]

Like, I do believe, like, a spirit. Like, if someone died in this apartment right now and they didn't want me in here. I do feel like I've experienced moments where like, yep, someone just cut that light on. Don't know who did that. I'm leaving.

[C]

Really?

[B]

I've never seen, like, a ghost.

[C]

That's something, though. That's definitely something.

[A]

You're with me a little bit. You're with me a little bit there.

[B]

Yeah. Cuz, like, I don't know. I've been. I've been in, like. Say I'm in the same building, the hotel. Some of these hotels I used to work in in Washington D.C. definitely haunted. Old scary, you know.

[A]

So you believe in haunting?

[B]

Working. What's that? Motherfucker? John Edwards crossing over. John.

[C]

Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. The medium.

[B]

Yeah, the medium. It was a live event at a hotel out near BWI Airport. I'm working. I'm a technician for the group. I got microphone. One microphone on the stand and two on the outside so people can walk up and ask their questions. He's got a lavalier on. He's walking around, interacting with people. He starts talking to this one woman. This event's been going on maybe two and a half hours at this point. He starts talking to that woman and whatever, they started talking about her. Mic clicks OUT John Edwards. MIKE clicks OUT they both of those decks go dead. On my end, I hear feedback. God has a seizure. This event had been going on for two and a half hours, and in that moment, they were talking. It was just like. And then the event was over.

[A]

That's confirmed haunting.

[C]

Now. Did. Did he. Did John Edwards acknowledge it? Did he say, like, okay, something?

[B]

No, Everything happened so quickly because, like, the young man that fell out, he. He like, passed out. And then a woman's screen. And then it didn't get, like, chaotic, but like, the event stopped.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

So that was the end.

[B]

That was it.

[A]

And that's just a day in the life of John Edwards.

[B]

Yeah, pretty much.

[A]

He's like, happen again.

[B]

Did it again.

[A]

Hell, man, I am so good at my job.

[C]

Interesting.

[A]

Okay, so that's real.

[B]

But all my co workers, I Made because, you know, I am the way I am. I was like, someone almost crossed over. No one laughed.

[A]

Oh, it's genius.

[B]

I didn't get one. I didn't even get a sympathy chopper.

[A]

I would have stood up and applauded.

[C]

There's something wrong with my brain where, like, if I'm sitting in this room and I have. The rest of my apartment is empty and I hear something, I immediately go, oh, that's the hair stuff that I put on the shelf. My cat jumped up, and he was playing with it. That's. That's all that was.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I immediately, like. So when that. That happens, it sounds like, oh, something. Like something tripped a breaker and these two packs died. And then, you know, like, I'm immediately.

[A]

Yeah, but tripping a breaker is not going to kill these two mic packs.

[C]

He said the receivers died.

[A]

Yeah, the receivers.

[B]

My. The two. You know how wireless kids were. The two that I had in front of me. Like, two of those cut out at the same time. Yeah. They're making their mics cut out. And then that guy had a seizure.

[C]

Now, the thing is no explanation, obviously, but, like, if.

[B]

If the circuit would have blew, all of my, like, everything would have died. And my mixer.

[C]

Good point.

[A]

Because that's how it was. Silence. Just those microphones because they were getting too close to the truth.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm here.

[A]

Think about that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

John Edwards. We got to get John Edwards on to confirm this story.

[B]

He probably wouldn't remember that.

[A]

He'll be like, that was the fifth one that week, man. So when ended is touring.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

This is very important.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I know Endit can eat. What is the place that unites the band in. You're flying down the road. You see that sign with all the places that you can stop? What's the one where you guys are all like, oh, yes, they got this. Let's go eat.

[B]

Imma give you five. Because it all depends. You know how it is. It all depends on where we at first and foremost. Taco Bell.

[C]

Really?

[B]

The boys will. Because, you know, sometimes there's nothing. There's nothing else. But if the only thing left is Taco Bell, we're good. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because everybody can eat.

[C]

Everybody can eat.

[A]

They got a diverse menu. It's fun.

[C]

We got vegan. Vegan vegetarians. And end it.

[B]

No.

[C]

Okay, you.

[B]

We need. We need the suffering in order to sell the suffering.

[A]

I gotcha.

[B]

But what else? Culver's.

[C]

Beautiful.

[B]

We're pulling over. Butterburger me up, baby.

[A]

Oh, my God. What a menu.

[C]

Yeah. Amazing.

[A]

I Could eat there seven days a week and have a different meal every time.

[C]

And I. I've said this before, but there's something so beautiful about the fact that they started paying more money to have Coke products.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Yes. They switched to. It cost more and it cost.

[B]

Pepsi sucks.

[C]

Yes, he sucks.

[B]

But I guess fuck beautiful. Hey, Pepsi, you hear this? I said it. No, thank you. Coca Cola all day. I needed to hurt when I drink it.

[A]

Yeah. I need spice, you know, I need. I need the real shit.

[B]

It's doing to my throat what it does to a car bag. That's why.

[A]

Exactly.

[C]

Strip it.

[A]

Taco Bell and Culver's. You're speaking of the heart here.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

What else we got?

[B]

Whataburger.

[C]

Okay, I'm open. I'm open.

[B]

We're definitely going to a Whataburger Waffle House.

[A]

Oh, naturally.

[B]

We're from the East Coast.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And last but not least, I hate to beat. Now. You know how I said I hate. I hate a trend?

[A]

You do.

[B]

Shout out my Buckies. Take me.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Dude.

[B]

We drive two hours out of the way to go to a Bucky.

[A]

Listen, dude, the brisket sandwich has no business being that good.

[C]

So good.

[B]

What? What is it? The Bucky Balls. I don't know.

[C]

They got this like the beaver nuggets.

[B]

Oh, my God now, so we don't have to do it later.

[C]

The cinnamon pecans. Like all this there is all so good.

[B]

And there's another place.

[C]

There's that Wally's place, which is like another one I do with a Wally, too. But it's funny how much better Bucky's is. It's like night and day.

[B]

Yeah. Wow. Like, Wally's cool. And I'm fortunate to say I went to one before.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Bucky's all the Way.

[A]

Bucky's is. Is it. It has no business being that good.

[B]

Seriously. And it's always like. It's never. It's never slow in the Buckies.

[A]

No, it's slamming and it's. And it's slamming with locals.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. With. Yeah, exactly.

[A]

Like. Like people who live 10 minutes away are like, I got to get down to the Buckies today.

[B]

You know, Shane is going to meet me there and then we're heading over to the skating rink.

[A]

And that's. That's a perfect Texas date night.

[C]

That's.

[A]

Yeah, great answer.

[C]

Great answer. Yeah.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Big one here. Big, big question for you. The question is, who do you do? And the meaning is the frontmen or musicians who you've kind of taken with you Subliminally. And whose mannerisms you take and maybe their vocal styles you take. Who do you do when you're on stage?

[B]

Shocker from Burn. Because you obviously.

[A]

We love Bird Hard Mosher.

[B]

Occasionally. Occasionally I find myself doing like a Puerto Rican mic from District 9 because, like, we some similar ill in my idolized mind. Like when I get it in me to like, do a cartwheel or. Or like a pop punk jump. Like a knee tuck.

[C]

Yeah. Vocal beautiful. Dude, the knee tuck.

[B]

Jump.

[C]

Jump is very vocal.

[B]

Yeah, very vocal.

[A]

That's the only one I. I do. Oh, only one.

[B]

Okay. I thought it true. Yeah. See, but I can't. I can't be jumping up and down like that.

[A]

Yeah. My ass comes out and then nobody's happy.

[B]

You know who else. It's. It's all East Coasters, you know, it makes total sense.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

A little bit of Eddie.

[A]

Those are great answers.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, you had. You messaged me what my. My top four is. I was thinking I. I gave it a once over and now that I'm saying this out loud, I'm like, yep. That they coincide.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. So now let's transition that into Akil, your four favorite hardcore records of all time.

[B]

This is so. Of course. Don't forget the struggle. Don't forget the Streets. Warzone Culture Shock. My Four Walls falling. Oh, wow. Yeah.

[C]

So that's a first.

[A]

That's a dark horse answer.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Shall be judged by Burn and what's the first Shelter album?

[C]

Mantra.

[B]

Not Mantra. The one. Perfection of Desire.

[A]

So Perfection of Desire by Shelter. That's number four.

[B]

That's number four on the. On the.

[A]

That is a very unique top four.

[B]

Told you I like music.

[A]

You love music, man.

[B]

My old head, like, a lot of the older skins. Last time Shelter played Baltimore, you know, they only know me as like, oh, that's a kill. He want us rough and tumble. And then you'll see me just, like, moshing hard as the Shelter. Like, oh, what are you in your 40s? And like, you calm down. Move. I love this, baby.

[C]

I was in. I was in Portland the other day. I went to. I treated myself to a nice dinner. I was wearing a Youth Today shirt. And one of the servers at this restaurant was clearly a Krishna dude. And he, like, brought me my thing. He said, oh, here's.

[B]

This is this.

[C]

And I love your Youth Crew shirt. And then walked away.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

That's all he said. That was.

[A]

That's the only context he had that.

[C]

I'm sure he likes Shelter.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

The best man. I don't even like.

[A]

I like the. I like that real. That funky record, the weird one.

[C]

Oh, the, like the one after Mantra.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Is that the one we messaged it about? No, that's not. That's. No, that's. That's not. What is it?

[A]

Eternal?

[B]

The one that's got Letter to a Friend on it?

[A]

Yeah, that's a banger. That's a banger.

[B]

Yeah, that's a banger. Yeah.

[A]

I like that.

[B]

But also because I am in D.C. right now, that First Rights of Spring album. So I'm a real big emo because it's only an hour away from me. That DC sound. I love that DC sound.

[C]

I. The first Rights of Spring record is incredible. I like Embrace and Rights of Spring a lot. I think, like, they call that post hardcore, but, like, if that came out today, you wouldn't think anything of it. You wouldn't, like, differentiate between the two, I don't think.

[A]

Now, something I'm curious about is your Baltimore top four. Oh, and that can be bands if you wanted to.

[B]

Yeah. So the. The way it goes, right? Gut Instinct, next step up. Stout.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Ty. And then End It.

[C]

That's beautiful.

[A]

That's a fact.

[B]

Yeah, I know all those dudes, like, before. Before. And it really popped. Like, I've been here. Those are just. Get the guys.

[A]

And that's. That's what I. I remember talking to justice years ago, being like, what's up with End It? And he's like, those are like the. The. The guys in the pit who weren't in bands. Have a band.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's like. It's like. It's destiny.

[B]

That's just how it goes.

[A]

That's how it goes, man. You. You. You grow up living your life in the Pit, making the shows good, and then it comes back for you eventually. Always. And now. Now the people give back.

[B]

They give you the pit. We really. I. I cannot believe that I've got to do half the I've done in life in terms of playing. We play hardcore music. Like, I would go to the show with the intention of maybe not coming home. You know what I mean? Like. Cause who knows what's gonna happen? I used to have to walk real. I used to have to walk home from shows, like, three hours, three and a half hours through East Baltimore with, like, skinny jeans on and docs, a shave head and a bomber, you know what I mean?

[A]

You never know how that's gonna go.

[B]

Yo, come here real quick. Nice. Yeah, but I never got my ass whooped. You know why? Because I Know how to conduct myself.

[A]

Absolutely. I've seen it, Seen it. Now look at this. This is a beautiful episode.

[B]

That's all I'm saying. He just talked to people the way it's supposed to be spoken to that.

[A]

Those are words of wisdom if I ever heard them.

[C]

Truly.

[A]

We've got some questions from our audience here.

[B]

Oh, let's see what we got.

[A]

Best autobar. Memory of what?

[B]

Like a show with the auto or.

[A]

That or just an incident or something?

[B]

I mean, I work door there. Better part of a decade. Okay. I'll tell you my favorite moment at the autobahn. It was like this like college white boy hip hop show. And there was this real tall, lanky dude in there and he was just disrespectful. I'm watching him like get close to women and like rub his jungle on him a little bit. But he's drunk, so I was like, oh, I'm sorry. I watched him spit on the floor. I watched him drink his beers and throw his beers on the floor. He's getting up on stage while people performing. He's just generally being an asshole. But he's riding that line where insecurity. If I approach him, I'm looking for trouble.

[A]

Right?

[B]

Because as much as he's being a bother, he's. He's just drunk.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I go outside, I'm like, like I'm always walking in and out of the club because you never know. I like to catch something before it happens. I go outside, he's pissing on the side of the building.

[A]

Now you got him.

[B]

So now I'm like, hey, you're cut off. And now this is where I was in the wrong. I should have just walked inside. But he looked me up and down like I was someone to be looked up and down upon. So he went to the double leg. Like I shoved him. He went for the double leg. I sprawled. I sprawled. I hold him down, I soccer kick his shit. And now I have to not come to work for three months.

[A]

You did what anybody would have wanted. Wanted to do.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Outstanding. Outstanding. You really delivered there.

[B]

That was. That's just one that I can remember.

[A]

That's beautiful.

[C]

Beautiful.

[B]

I gave somebody like three hours of leaving him alone. Like I'm just picking up his trash. It's not really that type of night. It's fine.

[A]

You did, you did the right thing.

[B]

So I have like a problem with. I don't mind drinking and drugs. You know, you've been around us, we drink, right? But I've never you ever seen me so fucking Drunk that you like. God damn. Those that Akil was fucking in one. No. I don't believe anyone gets the right to conduct themselves like that. No matter how much drugs or alcohol you've ingested.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like you say, if you're drinking is becoming a problem for everyone in the room. You need to stop 100%.

[C]

You sound like the ideal guy to be working door godzing at any club. You know, just hanging out.

[A]

Somebody asked if you've ever. The whole toilet.

[B]

The whole toilet?

[A]

That's a crazy question. I don't know why they're asking that. I know I have, but I mean, sorry, I've.

[B]

I've shit once. Once upon a time.

[C]

How about toilets in Germany?

[B]

Man, I. Look. That show, they vary so much.

[A]

They're so silly there, man.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

They're just so weird.

[A]

They want to smell it so bad.

[C]

Yeah. And it had the. The hole in the ground. No toilet. Yeah, yeah, it was a hole.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. And like, the whole time I'm thinking about, like, my diet, like, what was coming out of me, you know, you want tour? Yeah. And I was like, yo, I would have. My Achilles will be covered in shape. Like, there's no way. How you sitting this hole?

[C]

I don't know.

[A]

It's. It's kind of. It's sadly kind of efficient because I guess that is, like, biologically the ideal. Like this stance.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Is like, biologically ideal.

[C]

He's saying this because that's how he shits on his toilet.

[B]

See, I've had meniscus surgery on this right leg, so I can't. I can't squat like that anymore. The whole time I'm like, it would have never worked.

[A]

That's. That's me. I'm. Pardon my. My squat privileges. I didn't mean to step out of line there.

[C]

Yeah, I get it. That was. That was a real culture shock moment because going to Italy, it was like on the first tour, I was so excited. And then go into the bathroom of the venue, and it's like.

[A]

How they eat. And all this fucking pasta and pizza and then getting down like this.

[B]

Seriously.

[A]

My God. How did you enjoy playing Night Shift party weekend? Somebody asked.

[B]

I had a great time being down there in Daytona. Weather was nice, Crowd reaction went well. I enjoyed it. Shout out Nightshift.

[A]

Beautiful. Somebody asked Akil and Stavros collab. When?

[B]

Probably never.

[A]

Probably never.

[B]

I mean, nothing against. See, that's the thing. The world is like, oh, God. Star Roast. This is not me on Stavi. I don't know. Stop. But I did live In Greek town. So, like, I know. I know A humorous Greek man from Baltimore. Remember, people are blown away by him. As he should. He deserves. He deserves his career. But that's just a. I ate lunch with.

[C]

Right, right, right.

[B]

That's that. Hey, hey, hon. Hey, hon, Please don't take this the wrong way. Right. My granddaughter's mixed. I just. I just need to know, like, do I get what. What should I get for her hair on. I ain't got a. I know that lady accent crushing.

[A]

Oh my God. The Baltimore accent, like, the Maryland accent. Like that might. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's unfortunate how funny it is with the scale of how bad the guy saying it could also probably whoop your ass.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

You know.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

It's not.

[A]

It's only so funny.

[C]

It's not too dissimilar from. From Boston either.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

It's a similar thing where it's like incredible, but Please don't hurt me, please.

[B]

I found like. I found myself in Europe, in the United Kingdom, because we went to different parts and we were around long enough that you can hear the variances of accents.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's kind of like I would find myself smirking. But you gotta watch that because I'm listening to what you're saying and it sounds funny. But.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You are still a human being who could me up.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I'm also like experiencing new things for the first time. Like you said, this sounds just like tv.

[C]

Oh, man.

[A]

It is funny, man. I saw like as a human beings. You also have to understand I probably sound funny to somebody. You know, I accept that.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So laugh it up.

[B]

It's okay.

[A]

What are end its favorite records for a long time. Long drive or a night drive? Like collectively.

[C]

It's a good question.

[B]

You can't go wrong with 87 demo.

[A]

Damn.

[B]

If we're going to do the hardcore thing, we really only I'll hit him with a. Who's gonna do every once in a while.

[C]

Really?

[B]

I'm a big. Who's gonna.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm learning so much.

[B]

And they don't. They don't mind, but so much. But yacht rock. Yeah, we are yacht rock. You put on Asia by Steely Dan. That whole band is. Sing along.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Beautiful. Okay. So that gets you through those drives. A little bit of Steely Dan. A little bit of sd.

[C]

What is ended? What is ended? Pulling as. As far as riffs go. On this new record you're working on, what are some influences? Has anybody been Listening to anything specifically.

[B]

Or I don't know where Ray is getting these riffs.

[C]

It's a great answer.

[B]

I, I couldn't tell you. I'll just listen to him like I'll listen to him and Chris because like the chord of the, the melodies and rhythm is just Ray, Ray Wright. All the bass rhythm. Ray writes the riffs.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Chris writes the drums. So I don't know what Ray's been listening to but so let me tell you though about our friend Rayleigh. You know, it's a spectrum and we're.

[A]

All on it 100%.

[B]

You'll sit next like Ray will sit in the back of the band and you'll just look at him like what the is he doing? And then it'll be like. Yeah. So I just like categorized. I just listened to Pop Smoke for like six hours and I just categorized like oh what I believe to be his favorites, his best songs in this like three hour playlist. So I don't know where Ray is pulling R from because he wow. He, he, I put on French Montana in the car one time and like I, I, I still don't know why he knows all these songs.

[A]

He's a wildly efficient music listener, much like you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Where you're, you're cataloging lyrics and melodies for later. He's transcribing French Montana into a breakdown somehow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which is the way to do it.

[B]

It's weird.

[A]

It's good Ray. You keep, keep it up man. You're doing it right.

[B]

I got what is.

[A]

Yeah. I really do. What is your favorite movie?

[B]

Oh, that's a tough one. At one point it was Goodfellas but lately it's been paid in full.

[C]

Paid in full?

[B]

You never seen Paid in Full?

[C]

I don't think so.

[B]

Cameron's in it. Makai FIFA and Cameron are selling drugs. You should watch. It's on YouTube for free. Watch paint.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Okay, done. I'll watch it tonight.

[B]

Let's go.

[A]

Fantastic answer, Salem. Which Mitch asked what's been the most rewarding thing you've gotten to do or accomplished since end it was started being.

[B]

Able to go to Los Angeles to the most rewarding thing is having my opinion on LA reversed.

[C]

Oh cool.

[B]

Because the first time I went to la, you know, it's much like the first time I went to New York. You only your only notion of these towns are from media.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then you get there as an adult, you're like oh this is kind of like dirty and fucked up.

[A]

Yeah, absolutely.

[B]

So first time we went to la it was in the summertime. I saw a lot of homelessness. It's like human feces on the ground. Shit. I'm like, man, this is. This isn't what I thought it would be.

[A]

We got it all.

[B]

And then I came back. You know, we come back and come back and I do different things and see other parts and I meet new people and I'm like, oh, I get the LA is great. Louisiana is awesome. I get it.

[A]

Love to hear it.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, in New York is New York, New York.

[A]

I mean, I love going to New York. And it's the same thing where, like, I'm doing something different every time, eating something different every time.

[B]

You know what it is when you know how, like I say I hate things off. My initial reaction something is a dislike because if I keep it away from me, I don't have to interact with it. I can't be harmed. Of course, to meet bands and people and go places that I once had ignorant viewpoint on. Because that's one thing about Baltimore, we will gladly be just as ignorant as a day is long. You know what I mean? And like. And be proud about it. Like now go over there. They like to cuff their pants up now and get down like that. And that's like, that's a reason for people to not go to whole parts of this town.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Like, we used to be DC and like, I would not go to DC a show in dc. I ain't going to PC dc. Fuck them kids, what they do. They know what they did. But now being an adult and growing up and letting go of like, stupid things. Yeah, Yeah. I get to experience things.

[C]

That's the stuff of life, man.

[B]

Small viewpoint.

[A]

So another part of home.

[B]

Yeah, that's.

[A]

That's very adult of you. I like that. What is the worst job you've ever had?

[C]

Somehow not picking up bodies is going to be the answer.

[A]

That's a cool ass job.

[C]

Hilarious. Yeah.

[B]

What was the worst job? Yeah. Working at Jamba Juice in the airport. That sucked it, dude. That was not fun.

[C]

Every time I'm in an airport and I think about commuting to an airport, checking in through security, doing all the you got to do. I like, can't believe how much of a pain in the ass it is.

[A]

How long did you do that?

[B]

I did that job long enough to get two paychecks.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

It was just like, yeah, this ain't.

[C]

What works for me. That's not it.

[A]

Okay. And Jamba Juice too. You gotta learn all them smoothie recipes.

[B]

But also where the Storage was you gotta go into the back hallways, go down, go over, load up all this heavy ass fruit, come back, go up, right? No, thank you. And then you still got to deal with the, the crowd that is the airport. And as we all know, for some reason people, people forget how to, to be a pedestrian.

[A]

There's no rules.

[B]

Walk forward.

[A]

They're five daiquiris deep at 9am yeah. And then they're coming to get a juice.

[C]

And were you, were you employed by Jamba Juice or were you employed by a company that like leased Jamba Juice in the airport?

[B]

Exactly.

[C]

See, and that's so you don't get the same benefits. You don't get whatever the little perks are that might make a job. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh my God.

[B]

But that commute, like you said, that commute is what killed me because you got to go parking the employee employee lot, then catch the employee shuttle in. Go. Before you get this badge, you got to go through security every day. And my next just started at like 6.0am but you gotta get through security, so you gotta. And you still gotta wait for the shuttle. So you gotta get to the airport like five. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Nightmare.

[B]

No.

[A]

And you're not compensated for that hour.

[C]

No, I'm not doing anything at 5am except for turning off my computer and going to bed.

[B]

Sicko.

[A]

Do you have a favorite preset diddy that you like to sing like one that in particular that you love to do?

[B]

Yeah, you're so vain.

[C]

Probably. Simon, I think I've seen you do that one. I think I've seen that.

[B]

Such a good song.

[A]

Good choice.

[B]

Or Too Late by Carol King.

[C]

Oh, Carole King.

[B]

Yeah, I love that one.

[A]

He's a song so eclectic. Yeah, I know.

[B]

Remember I went to school for choir. I grew up in the church. I didn't become like a wild man until I was like 17, which is.

[A]

Pretty late for our generation.

[B]

I wasn't like a chump, but I, a lot of the, the quote unquote poor behaviors. I was with my cousins, like I was drinking with family. We were playing cards, we were getting into shape. And then it wasn't until I transitioned to this thing called hardcore, started not hanging with my family as much and hanging out that, you know, but like, I mean, not to say too much like me and my other cousin, I've been drinking, smoked weed since I was 12.

[C]

Yeah, sure, you know, but we just.

[B]

Kept it in house, very insulated, old school, black Baltimore family. Should nobody know what's going on in here because it's not their business. Otherwise. That's right.

[C]

So let me ask you.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Let me ask you a question. Somehow we didn't cover this. What was the first taste of punk rock? The first thing where you went. Oh, what's. What's this? This is different.

[B]

Playing Tony Hawk. Taylor Golden Time.

[C]

Which one?

[B]

Superman by Goldfinger.

[C]

Dude. Yeah.

[A]

Yo, so first second.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You hear those horns and. And you're like the one. I'm gonna get this secret tape. But what is this?

[A]

So sca. Really?

[C]

Dude, I'm not kidding. I'm not joking either of you guys. Last night I had a dream that I was at a like a subterranean sized venue in Chicago and Goldfinger is playing Superman. And I'm like stage diving and scouting and stuff. I swear to God, I dreamt that last night.

[B]

I. I swear it was a premonition. Here we have.

[A]

It always comes back. It's always comes back to Goldfinger.

[B]

Every single. And they're obviously never going to get their just desserts because they just wrote a song. But Goldfinger by Superman was like I.

[C]

Wish, I truly wish that that Spotify and streaming numbers existed in a way so that we could see when Tony Hawk dropped how metrics changed. We could just see trajectories changing. I like.

[A]

I mean we hear it once a week on.

[C]

Yeah, we hear it often.

[A]

It's crazy.

[C]

Also BMX 2 dude games were awesome.

[B]

I just hold your hand. We die like holy. This is. What the is this?

[A]

Wow, I forgot about the video game soundtracks. Video games to end it natural. Pipeline. Beautiful. What is your favorite thing about Baltimore? That you try to have others experience.

[C]

I like that I can resonate with this.

[B]

You know, because there's two ways I can answer this. I'm gonna be. I'm gonna be a nice guy. Chat's pit beef. Just a nice afternoon cat's pit beef. You're sitting outside you right on Route 40. It's because, you know, Baltimore is a dump. You know, it's really just. It's a port town.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You come there to work and you pass through and you go. But a nice good chat spit beef meal.

[A]

Oh my God, dude. What a meal.

[C]

Yeah, it was good with disco fries.

[B]

Make sure you get them fries. Disco flies.

[A]

I think we did when we went.

[B]

Beautiful stuff, real hearty meal at one in the afternoon.

[A]

Yeah, it'll you up all day. At what age did your tolerance for hit zero?

[B]

Probably about year two of bouncing.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So were you in your like. Was that early 20s kind of thing or.

[B]

That was 24, 25? Yeah. Mid 20s.

[C]

Yeah. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, about my mid-20s. Because, like, I'm at that age because we're near college. I'm just older than like the, the new drinking crowd. And then two years in, I get to see like a freshman class and like the younger folk come in. I'm like, yeah, you guys are in for a bad way. You have no idea what you're doing right now. But.

[A]

You, I mean, you, you're there to teach them in a way.

[B]

Sneak a bottle into my club. This guy stuck a bottle in once and like, and that's the thing, because I actually am good at my job. I noticed him get drunker and drunken. I have not seen him go to the bar yet.

[C]

Wow. My phone.

[B]

Not paying attention.

[A]

You're Eagle.

[B]

Always paying attention.

[C]

Yeah, it's crazy. Like Khaled and I would not be good at that because we don't know.

[A]

No, I'd be horrible. I'm.

[B]

That's my job. That's why they hired me. And I go up to the Bots and I was like, hey, has he bought any drinks tonight? He's like, not one. I go over to him and mind you, the club is kind of packed. It's like halfway, three quarters of the way full. I'm like, how are you getting drunk but you haven't bought a drink? What's in your hand? Where'd you get liquor? And the girl next to him just whips up this big bottle. I dump his bottle on the ground, just snuff him. Just straight snuffed him. I beat him up from. I beat him up from the pool table to the stairs. And I know where the cameras are, so where I hit him, the camera can't see. And once I got him on the stage, the camera couldn't see. I worked this downstairs because, you know.

[A]

If I'm the owner, I'm like a kill whatever you need.

[C]

Yeah. This is Roadhouse.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If you drink too much and you hurt yourself in the club, my bartender can be liable for over serving.

[C]

Right, right.

[B]

That's also going to reflect poorly on me because didn't you see that person getting drunk?

[C]

Yeah. Right.

[A]

So that's just disrespect.

[B]

It's just respect goes a long way in Baltimore.

[A]

Amen.

[B]

Just be respectful. I didn't say suck my dick. We don't have to be friends. Just treat people the way they deserve to be treated.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And you will be just fine.

[A]

Beautiful. Worsted by always.

[B]

Don't be scared of me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm singing Sound and music in My head right now. You scared of me to make it make sense.

[A]

Have you done. Have you whipped out Sound of Music before a set?

[B]

I almost did in Switzerland, but I chose Night.

[A]

Yeah, that was. They're sick of it there. Akil von Trapp showing up. The US government finally collapses. What's the. What's the first thing you're doing?

[C]

Good question.

[A]

It's a great question.

[B]

Get the flat land either somewhere elevated to somewhere flat.

[C]

Do you know why that's a perfect answer? Because he said it so surely, and I don't really know what it means. So that means that, like, that's like, an imposing answer. Gotta get to flatland.

[A]

So you would get to either flat ground or the high ground.

[B]

Just get somewhere where. So, like, I've been spending time in Texas. I'm out in the desert. So we out in the desert. If you try to come get me, it's wide open skies. It's wide open spaces. I can at least prepare.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And if I'm high up now, I got that view as well.

[A]

Yeah. They're not gonna get you.

[B]

They don't what you want me for exactly.

[A]

Well, that too, allegedly. How is tattooing coming along?

[B]

So I was never a tattooer. I just work counter at a tattoo shop. I wanted to be a piercer, but you gotta. You gotta be able to consistently show up and. And work your shifts and whatnot. And we tore too much for me to learn a skill. Right.

[A]

Yeah, that's a, like, that's an icky job to me, Pierce.

[C]

Yeah, I couldn't do it.

[B]

Yeah, I'm icky, dude.

[A]

Say no more. Favorite comedian right now. Are you. Are you, like, as somebody who's done comedy, are you into comedy? Like, is it something you actively listen to?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

I haven't as much lately been keeping up with my podcast and stuff like that, but obviously Chappelle and my buddy, the homie Jamil from dc, I just saw him perform not too long ago. I see. You know, we. We see a lot of things on the reels and tick tock and whatnot.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But, like, I'm hip to a lot of those comedians. I love.

[A]

Reels are keeping stand up going.

[B]

Yeah. Crowd working.

[A]

Real crowd work is unbelievable. Yeah. Somebody asked what's up with up the blunks?

[B]

So Kevin.

[A]

Great.

[B]

Kevin just got married again. Torn. Kevin got married and, like, we kind of lost momentum. I had some things going on. I broke up with a lady. I'm moving here and there, so it kind of just fell by the wayside.

[A]

Yeah. Makes Sense.

[B]

That was fun, though.

[A]

So, you know, somebody already knows that you love Scott. So somebody asked for your Mount Rushmore Scar.

[B]

My scottmail Rushmore.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So remember, I'm like transkin. So the Specials.

[A]

Yeah, the Beat Street Light, they got riffs, man.

[B]

They got catch 22, just played two days ago.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In Baltimore. That was good. Who else? Oh, Judge Dread.

[A]

Sick ass name.

[C]

Hard ass name, dude. The hardest guy you've ever heard.

[B]

And Law Aiken, Old School Sky.

[C]

One of my.

[A]

You came prepared.

[C]

One of my all time favorite videos on the Internet is the Specials playing some club. It's like professionally shot and they cover the. The Harry J All Stars Liquidator, I think.

[B]

And.

[C]

Yeah, and this bouncer keeps fucking with a kid, and the white dude singer like, whips a tambourine at him and he's like cursing him out on stage. And then they eventually get all the kids on stage and they all like, Moon Stomp for the whole.

[B]

Awesome.

[C]

It's one of the coolest videos that exists.

[B]

That's cool. Yeah, I got to see that. It's on YouTube.

[C]

I will. I will send it your way.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

What was it like getting striking distance to play the Unpleasant Living release.

[B]

Oh, I mean, that's our buddy.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Dave Bird is like, we. We've looked up and just seen Dave Bird. Dave Bird's like, I'm gonna hop in the van for three days. Like, duh. Come on. Stay very. So remember, Pat is Pat Martin toward man, tour managed for Thursday and Work Warp tour. And so, like, he's an older guy. Those are his contemporaries. So it's. Yeah, he just asked his friends what they like to play.

[C]

So cool.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

Yeah. Like, it's funny, the other day a kid was talking to me. He was like, kid, how old are you? I was like, I'm 34. And all these kids were, like, blown away. They were like, you're. You're 34 years old. Because they were only like in their late teens, early 20s, right? And it's like, yeah, this hardwood thing's been going on for a while now. Yeah.

[A]

100.

[B]

I'm like an old guy. I'm only 34, but it's weird.

[A]

We're doing great, man.

[C]

It's. Do you feel weird about it when you guys walk into a show? Colin, you just played these huge shows. The Tsunami.

[A]

I did just play massive shows with Tsunami where they're drawing their own kind of.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, Freak.

[A]

And I don't say that in a derogatory way.

[C]

No, no.

[A]

Like, freak.

[C]

We are the freaks.

[A]

Yeah, we're the freaks. They've got their own kind and you know, I think it's important that they stick around and learn the, the origins and the roots and the ethics. But I, I think they're there for the right reason, which is good.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I do, I think it hardcore skewed old for a while before this. Like the average new hardcore kid was like 25, 26. And I don't like that.

[B]

No.

[A]

I, I'm glad they're here. I'm glad they found something. But like I. They'll never relate to it the way that we do because it was there when we really needed.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Yeah. New kids, they're fine. Don't get your hopes up about them sticking around. That's something I've not necessarily had to deal with because that's dramatic. But as things evolve, things change.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

They don't care and I can't expect them to care. I'm just happy ahead one more day. It's been together. That's beautiful. I as much I'll still get on stage and talk my. Because like we know what is and ain't hardcore.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But I'm not Where's the boat? And years gone by. People would just make you feel bad because you didn't know that you weren't there. Now that we get older, if you're going to be responsible to the thing, hopefully you do still go to local shows and like talk to the kids and show them new band, older bands and tell them the stories and the guys and nicknames and all that.

[C]

I think that's, that's probably the biggest difference is how many people were at the Riverside Show, Colin?

[A]

1800 or something.

[C]

So the biggest show I went to as a kid was like Chicago fest. There's like 600 people there.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And that was fucking huge.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Nothing was. I didn't want to do, go to anything with 1800 people.

[C]

Right. That has to be the.

[A]

I want to kick my ever all 15 of my friends asses.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And nobody else there.

[B]

Nobody else.

[A]

That's the dream.

[B]

It's a real humbling moment right now to let go of that old school hardcore because you know we, we were bully. I wasn't like bully. But you know there's initiation in every game.

[C]

Just.

[B]

Yeah. And then you get to this point and you, you wanna, you want to treat the kids the same way. You still want to do that. Psycho crazy skinhead mosh hard weapons up. But these kids aren't that.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Different.

[B]

It's Different. And that's fine.

[A]

And it's fine. You know, they're, they're, they're supporting, they're keeping it alive and in their own way. And we are lucky to have them. We're lucky to experience this growth. I think it's just all more than we ever anticipated.

[B]

You know what? I'd rather some kid be in their teens, find hardcore, gain an appreciation for it, realize it's not really for them and go off, become a pharmacist, get married, have a good life. You know what I mean?

[C]

You know what? There, there. Who was I talking to the other day? There really is a thing where if you. I feel like if you go through a punk face, even a face a few years in your youth, that will positively affect you.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

The way that you treat people and you handle situations and your ethics forever.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I really do think that. So there is merit to that. That even if people are just hanging around for a little while, if they get an appreciation of it, I think you' I think that's. There's value in that.

[A]

And it's never been easier.

[B]

You know, Hardcore is part of everything.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like they. No matter television production, movie, barbershop. There's someone in that space who self identifies currently or at one point as a hardcore kid.

[A]

100% true.

[C]

It's very true.

[A]

Every day I meet one every day. Yeah.

[C]

That's crazy.

[A]

It's beautiful. Akil, this has been outstanding. It's been great just getting to know you. Getting the world getting to know you.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Are there any kind of closing thoughts or statements you'd like to make to the people?

[B]

Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo. Free Haiti, Free Lebanon. And maybe one day we'll free ourselves. They're not on your team. They're not your friends and not your constitution situates. All we have is the people next to us. Don't vote. Don't vote. Stop voting. Disengage. They're taking advantage of you. That's all I have to say. Maybe. And that's all I can leave it at because ain't got fixed. My parents are old and black We've been complaining about the same this whole time.

[A]

Welcome to the club, that's a fact.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Beautiful.

[C]

Damn.

[A]

Best send off.

[C]

Powerful, raw power.

[A]

Thank you so much for being with us. Thank you all for listening. Listen to end it. The LP is finally coming soon. Flat spot records 2,025. You can't wait. We can't wait. Akil. Thank you again.

[B]

Thanks for having me.

[A]

See you soon. See you all next week.

[C]

Bye.