HardLore Podcast Episode Summary: "Best 80's Hardcore Band"

Release Date: April 17, 2025

Hosts:

• Colin Young (Twitching Tongues & God's Hate)
• Bo Lueders (Harms Way)
• Affiliation: Knotfest

Introduction

In this electrifying episode of HardLore, hosts Colin Young and Bo Lueders embark on a mission to crown the Best 1980s Hardcore Band of all time. Combining their deep-rooted passion for hardcore, punk, and metal scenes, they utilize a tournament bracket system to evaluate and challenge the legacies of various influential bands from the 1980s.

Bracket Formation and Honorable Mentions

Before diving into the tournament, Colin and Bo acknowledge the complexity of selecting the top 32 bands, crediting their graphic designer, Carrie, for crafting a challenging bracket. They discuss several honorable mentions that couldn't make the cut, including iconic names like Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, and Flipper among others ([02:16] Colin).

Notable Quote:

Colin ([02:16]): "Just a few y." Bo ([02:53]): "The Bare Essentials made it. Circle Jerk not on it."

Round One: Initial Matchups

The bracket kicks off with heated debates over initial matchups:

1. Straight Ahead vs. Turning Point

   • Colin leans towards Straight Ahead, praising their groundbreaking impact ([00:10]).
   • Bo firmly supports Straight Ahead, stating, "Not even close" in favor of them ([00:22] Bo).

   Notable Quote:

   Bo ([34:38]): "Not even close. Turning Point has Slap Base, bro. That automatically disqualifies them."

2. Outburst vs. SSD

   • Both hosts agree on favoring SSD due to their extensive discography and cultural impact.

   Notable Quote:

   Bo ([07:05]): "SSS clears Outburst. With all due respect."

3. Youth of Today vs. Antidote

   • Acknowledging the foundational role of Youth of Today in the Straight Edge movement, Bo champions SSD, while Colin supports Youth of Today for their melodic influence.

   Notable Quote:

   Colin ([11:17]): "Youth today are the roots of the tree."

4. Bad Brains vs. CRO Mags

   • Colin supports Bad Brains for their unparalleled influence, while Bo favors CRO Mags for their musicianship and dynamic evolution.

   Notable Quote:

   Colin ([13:00]): "Bad Brains are Bad Brains, if they're not in this conversation, we've done something wrong."

Engaging Guest Judges

To resolve contentious matchups, Colin and Bo invite experts to provide objective perspectives:

• Mark Porter from Floor Punch adjudicates the Straight Ahead vs. Turning Point debate, decisively favoring Straight Ahead due to Turning Point's association with Slap Shot ([34:16] Colin).

  Notable Quote:

  Mark Porter ([34:40]): "Not even close. Turning Point has Slap Base... Slap Base is a disqualification."

• Todd Jones assists in the Leeway vs. Discharge matchup, endorsing Leeway for their comprehensive catalog and influence ([20:36] Colin).

  Notable Quote:

  Todd Jones ([20:43]): "I have to go with Leeway."

• Scott Vogel weighs in on the Poison Idea vs. Seven Seconds face-off, favoring Seven Seconds for their seminal impact ([25:20] Colin).

  Notable Quote:

  Scott Vogel ([25:20]): "Seven Seconds is the first hardcore band I ever saw headlining. Beautiful. The show. Beautiful."

Progression to Quarterfinals and Semifinals

As the tournament advances, the discussions intensify:

• Agnostic Front emerges as a powerhouse, defeating SSD with their expansive discography and enduring legacy ([61:45] Colin).

• Minor Threat triumphs over Chromax, praised for their profound influence on hardcore and the DIY ethic ([67:22] Colin).

• War Zone secures victory against Leeway, selected for their relentless energy and foundational role in New York Hardcore ([64:39] Colin).

• Raw Deal vs. Killing Time sees Killing Time advancing, applauded for their perfect demos and innovative evolution ([72:16] Mike).

Final Showdown: Agnostic Front vs. Minor Threat

The climactic final matchup pits Agnostic Front against Minor Threat, two titans of 1980s hardcore:

• Agnostic Front is lauded for their extensive influence, adaptability, and the sheer volume of impactful releases. Colin emphasizes their role in shaping modern hardcore and their enduring relevance ([82:06] Colin).

  Notable Quote:

  Colin ([84:10]): "Agnostic Front has influenced way more bands than Minor Threat has in the past 40 years."

• Minor Threat is respected for their pioneering Straight Edge movement and significant cultural contributions, though their shorter discography is a point of contention ([80:57] Colin).

  Notable Quote:

  Bo ([80:24]): "Minor Threat was obviously pretty instrumental to my love for punk and hardcore."

Conclusion and Final Verdict

After intense deliberation and expert opinions, Agnostic Front is unanimously crowned the Best 1980s Hardcore Band of all time. Their unparalleled impact, longevity, and continuous evolution solidify their supremacy in the hardcore punk scene.

Notable Final Quote:

Colin ([86:18]): "Agnostic Front is the greatest 1980s hardcore band of all time."

Closing Remarks

Colin and Bo extend their congratulations to all 32 nominees and honor the honorable mentions, underscoring the rich legacy of 1980s hardcore. They reflect on the passionate debates and the deep connections they share with the music, emphasizing the communal spirit that hardcore fosters.

Notable Closing Quote:

Bo ([87:18]): "You really did. We also want to give a shout out to all the honorable mentions."

Episode Highlights:

• Bracket Battles: In-depth discussions on pivotal matchups determining the top 1980s hardcore bands.
• Expert Input: Guest judges like Mark Porter, Todd Jones, and Scott Vogel provide authoritative insights.
• Passionate Debates: Hosts passionately defend their favorites, showcasing the subjective nature of music appreciation.
• Ultimate Crown: Agnostic Front triumphs as the definitive best 80s hardcore band.

Honorable Mentions Recapped: Decroit, Zero Boys, Effigies, Dead Boys, MDC, Adolescents, Antidote, Naked Raygun, Chain of Strength, Dead Kennedys, DOA, SOA Fu's, Jerry's Kids, Fear, Gangrene, Flipper, Germs, Life's Blood, Government Issue, Iceman, Iron Cross, JFA, Kraut, Meatman, Minuteman, Murphy's Law, Necros, Nerve Agent, Sub Zero, Project X, Reagan Youth, Red Cross, Youth Defense League, Scream Siege, SNFU, Subhumans From Canada, TSOL Teen Idols, Token Entry, Undead, Urban Waste, Rest In Pieces, Verbal Abuse, Bad Religion, Social Distortion, Circle Jerks, and Crackdown.

Final Thoughts: This episode of HardLore masterfully navigates the intricate landscape of 1980s hardcore punk, blending nostalgia with critical evaluation. Through spirited debates and expert opinions, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of what makes a band stand out in the hardcore scene. The crowning of Agnostic Front not only honors their legacy but also celebrates the enduring spirit of hardcore music.