Perhaps the most beautiful thing about hardcore is that it’s a scene of people—mostly kids—who are struggling to find their place in the world. They are going to fuck up, say outrageous things, piss each other off. It’s a given. We’re all imperfect. Personal introspection and evolution can be a painful process, but, overall, growth is positive.

Steve: Stripped down. The sun washed everything out. I feel like our songs are monochromatic. They are a little bleached out and crunchy. To me, it is what the desert sounds like.

In the ‘80s, bands weren’t really singing about nuclear proliferation. I’m not really sure if our audiences got our message, but everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Necessity is the mother of invention... or at least the midwife of DIY. We simply had no choice but to dig in and make the attempt. No one was going to do it for us.

We kept getting told how much we sucked by critics but we kept getting asked to play all this rad shit.

When I awoke after the surgery, my first question was, “Do I still got my boys”?

We’ve always loved the classical sense of a standard ‘60s pop tune and trying to make a punk rock song a true rock’n’roll song.

I don’t really care who comes to our shows as long as they don’t beat me up because we’re not metal enough for ‘em.

Joe: As an older “punk kid,” what keeps you here?
Justin: I will always be here.

 "A band is a beautiful dream and a really delicate thing."

We haven’t got a venue where we can play? Okay, we go and build a stage on an island!

Brian: Why did you switch to vinyl only?
Barker: I like vinyl.

These records were the tip of the Trident missile she had help launch into the world.

There’s a fine line between sloganeering and actual common sense.

We borrowed equipment from the opening bands. Very DIY. 

Trying to karate chop through a chair, breaking my hand, and never getting it fixed. I wouldn’t do that again. Well, I might.

It was done humbly, with handshakes, and just being cool to one another while paying all the bills.

Cheryl’s all, "I just got a text, ‘In jail.’"

The lyrics to both the Ramones and Uncle Monk are unique, philosophical, and personal; often autobiographical.

She helped keep the wheels on the wagon for the longest-running fanzine in Los Angeles history.

Shawn: So, to any young punks, or young musicians, putting out a record for the first time, your words of advice would be?
Sean: Be careful.

I can't recall ever going to an interview with a list of questions. I already know what I want to ask the band and I'm more than ready to let them say something that will take us down different avenues.

The way I’ve always seen it is, politics are always social. Politics are always individual because whatever is said or whatever is working around you always affects you personally.

They can see a local band they’re not one hundred percent sure about, or they can go see Rancid for forty bucks somewhere, and they’ll probably do that.