Laugh Now Die Later

Ep. 103 - Josef Alfonso

(Sunami, Big Boy, Field of Flames, Condition One)

Josef is the multi instrumentalist mastermind behind 80% of Bay Area Hardcore bands. From being a part of Ex Youth to being in one of the biggest hardcore bands in the world while still having DIY ethics - I was intrigued and asked some personal questions. I had the pleasure to conduct this interview at shore in Hermosa Beach.

We speak on his current feelings and thoughts on Sunami, his upbringing in San Jose and reveals who “Y.A.B” is about.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 102 - Trash Talk Fan Episode

Joaquin (@risinggoesham) and I are 10 years apart and both have a deep love for Trash Talk. We talk about Joaquins’s 20+ Trash Talk shows he’s attended in LA, from the gigs, to the music, to Trash Talk Collective, we just want an excuse to talk about the band.

Ep. 101 - Andy Nelson (Paint it Black, Ceremony, Open City)

Andy and I sit down in Hollywood California to talk about his life as a musician and his personal life. From his childhood in Philly into being in some of the unique hardcore punk bands of the last 20 years - we discuss various topics such as Punk and Hardcore shows almost always selling out in advance, shows being heavily documented, and scene music.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 100 - Kie

Kie is a photographer/artist based out of Mid City Los Angeles. I interviewed Kie a little over 2 years ago and has since been in and out of prison. I am grateful to have sat down with Kie in his home to talk about surviving prison, adjusting to life back home, and what it was like knowing he was going to leave his family.

Kie is now back home continuing to create art and pursue his passion for photography. This is a powerful conversation that I truly believe is a testament of hope.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 99 - Justice Tripp

Our first returning guest - Justice Tripp with a very short personal conversation that pretty much sums up what this podcast is about.

I talked to Justice in Pioneertown after a Angel Dust gig. We speak on the importance of male role models, the future of Hardcore, and he shares a story of a show he attended in Baltimore at the age of 13.

Thank you for listening.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 98 - Vic (Mills Vintage)

Vic is a hardcore kid through and through from Russia who now lives in Los Angeles.

From going to shows at a very very young age, to moving to Ukraine, to coming to the U.S.A for the first time and going to This is Hardcore, to the birth of Mills Vintage. We talk about his whole life leading up to now and so much more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 97 - Jeff Caffey

(Odd Man Out, Change, Gag)

I have interviewed many many people and I’ve said this before, but Jeff comes from a strange and unique background that led him to become a multi-talented instrumentalist and hardcore lifer who has been a part of 64 bands.

We speak on his strange childhood that led to crazy teen years, the iconic “Tiki House” - a house in Seattle that housed a group of straight edge kids who lived alone and booked shows, and how touring and playing in bands got him to where he is now.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 96 - Carlos Cruz

(Cruz, Fentanyl, Healer)

Carlos and I sit down outside a gig in San Jose California. From booking shows to playing in multiple bands covering several sub genres.

We also discuss his personal life: what it was like growing up in San Bruno, losing his father at a early age, how he was affected as he got older and getting passed down the torch from an older Bay Area promoter when starting to book his own shows.

Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 95 - Kris Kirk (LOCK, Harpoon Guns, Leather Slave)

I sit down with Kris in his home in Los Angeles to talk about his strange, unique, yet very interesting life.

Kris speaks on growing up being a brown kid in Orange County, what influences his photography, and some stories from the road that include playing in a basement full of feces.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 94 - Ace Edge (Mutual Assured Destruction, Forum of Passion, Break Away)

Ace runs “Forum of Passion” - a podcast that takes a deep dive on its guest’s journey to revelate the story behind the artist. I am glad I had the chance to switch seats and interview Ace on his journey. From his earliest memories of childhood, to becoming a punk and being in bands. We also discuss Topics such as the decline of popularity of straight edge, hardcore - what it once was into its current state and more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 93 - End It (Akil and Pat)

I talk to Akil and Pat in Pioneertown after there gig with Angel Dust. We look at back at the “tough guy” scene, the pros and cons of younger kids getting into hardcore, getting older, and some life lessons that come with it.

Available on Spotify And Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 92 - Sam (Mortal Wound, Kommand, Lake of Blood)

Sam and I sit down at his lock out in San Pedro California. We speak on his childhood in Pedro, getting into drug addiction, finding himself in isolation for years and how playing and writing music got him out of that hole.

Although Sam is my definition of a Death Metal guy through and through he has some awesome stories from Hardcore shows at Aladdin Jr’s.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 91 - Andres (Nature World Inc.)

Andres has been running Nature World for 10 years. South Central born and raised Andres runs a successful brand while throwing music events with different music genres. His events have hosted acts such as Souilja Boy, Trash Talk, No Warning, Lil Peep, and Turnstile.

Growing up a couple blocks away and years apart - Andres and I talk about it all from his childhood, learning hard work ethic from his parents, the difference between being Mexican/first generation and Chicano and much more - you have to listen to find out.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 90 - Tyler Bradberry

Tyler is a Filmmaker who comes from Hardcore - more specifically part of “The Stoop Kids”.

He’s directed music videos for Rotting Out, Twitching Tongues, and Deadbody after having also worked with acts such as Korn,Ho9909, and Babylon LA.

We speak on his crazy youth, going from drunk nights fighting roommates to making a living as an independent film director, and what he the future holds for him.

Ep. 88 - Matt Trejo

(SMUT, CØNDITIØN, Hot Load)

THE LOAD IS HEADING TO JAPAN!

From booking backyard shows as a kid in West Covina to now going on a tour in Japan for the second time with a different band I sit down with Matt to talk about the good and the real ugly. Matt has had his fair share of life experiences, we talk about approaching a different stage in his life getting older, what his love for music has done for him, and so much more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 87 - Richard De La Vega (More to Pride, Evil Wayz)

More to Pride is slowly but surely doing a comeback and they have gone through it all. Richie and I sit down in his home to talk about the minute all the members in More to Pride broke edge, why did the band broke up, the feeling of kids from Lynwood taking a trip to the East Coast on a tour with Mental, and Richie’s life after the breakup of the band.

Thank you everyone for listening.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 86 - Peet Weber (Biased Tapes).

Peet is a OG and a friend whom has put me on to a multitude of cool stuff. I was intrigued to meet Peet through his brand “Biased”, people throughout various scenes such as hardcore, powerviolence, rock Biased gear. Peet also produces and creates beats - some of his beats are included in Gulch’s debut EP and an interlude in Big Boy’s demo. This is the 2nd interview out of 2 intense interviews where we talk about overcoming his strange and difficult life, learning to grow as he looks back at his younger days, and so much more. A great interview nonetheless!

Available Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 85 - Chris Elder (Despise You, Pessimiser).

Chris and I have a 30 min interview covering topics such as gentrification, when Los Angeles was predominantly Mexican, skateboarding, and the beginning of Despise You.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 84 - Andrew Solis (Despise You, DeadBeat, Apparition, Beyond Pain, and Dead Stare Studios).

Andrew is a producer and songwriter who has been in multiple heavy-hitting Los Angeles hardcore and powerviolence bands. We talk about becoming a producer full time, how he joined Despise You, being in a bands for 10+ years and the story why he left Frostbite.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Ep. 83 - Ian Logan (Kommand, Hoax, LOCK, Aersols, Fugitive, and CØNDITIØN)

In celebration of Kommand’s new record “Death Age”, I sat down with the riff master Ian - the mastermind behind alot of the coolest hardcore punk bands. We talk about his youth in New Hampshire, almost becoming a professor, cool stories on the road with Hoax, and what the hell is dumpster diving.

Ep. 82 - Gina (Sheer, Grave School, Linda Susan, Human Garbage).

Live from the Corner of Midnight Hour Gina and I talk about so much in an hour. We dig deep into her life - the best and the worst of it, spirituality, and what it was like going to hardcore shows 10 years ago with less of a female attendee and so much more.

Thank you everyone for continuing to listen an absolute great interview.

Available Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Ep. 81 - Adam Barnes (GAG)

Adam and I talk inside the GAG van before their set at Midnight Hour in the San Fernando Valley. We talk about what it was like growing up dirt poor, the “Tiki House” - a house in Olympia, Washington where a mom left her son and his straight friends to run the house, his time working at Chuck E Cheese, and what the hell the song “All this Shrimp” is about.

Ep. 79 - John McCarthy (M.U.T.T, Outlaw).

Live from the underneath the Zebulon - John and I talk about everything from zines, Pro Wrestling, hardcore and everything in between. We discuss why he left all behind to move to San Francisco and what the future hold for him!

Ep. 78 - Nick Jett (Terror, Piece By Piece). Nick and I sit down in his studio to talk about everything from his short time in Carry On, how “Primitive as Fuck” came to be, to now having a baby and looking back at his life.

Ep. 77 - Jesse Sanes (Hoax, Kommand, Liebestod)

Recorded in his basement somewhere in Los Angeles. Jesse is a stand up and very interesting guy, we cover a lot of topics from politics to some of Jesse’s personal’s struggles.

Ep. 75 - Anthony Anzaldo (Ceremony, Cold Cave, Homesick Festival, Ex Youth, etc)

Anthony and I sit down talk about the late Sammy Winston, stories of the early days of Ceremony, will Ceremony every break up, and much more.

Ep. 74 -Justin Nut “JNUT” (Dead Heat, Paranoiac, Human Garbage)

Justin Nut “JNut” is a talented guitarist who has been involved with many successful bands over the years. We talk about the growth, success, and history of Dead Heat, his time filling in for the Inland Empire’s Hardcore band “Runamuk”, and how he got into heavy music while being raised by an immigrant Chinese mother.

Ep. 72 - Tank (Rotting Out, SlowTrip, Expect the Worst)

Tank and I talk about what’s it like coming to LA and hustling different jobs at a young age. We also touch on coming from Punk and getting into Hardcore through Rotting Out, drug addiction, and the story that made him quit.

Ep. 71 - Kenny (Major Pain)
Kenny and I sit in the sand in Long Beach and talk about his life leading up to Major Pain. He speaks on being raised by a single mom, being brown in Orange County, and the meaning behind most of his songs. We tackle the difference between being raised in a Spanish speaking Latino household and just being brown. Kenny is one of the kindest and smartest individuals I have met.

Ep. 70 Tony (Generación Suicida)

Tony and I bond over growing up in South Central - the bad and the beautiful. We talk about race riots, how punks from South Central and Boyle Heights would not get along back in the day, and much more.

Recorded at Under the Radar Records 11/6/22. For South Central Hardcore and Punk.

Ep.69 - Jeremy (Fury)

We talk about what it means to be in love, hardcore kids looking down at punks, what his one wish would be and much more.

Ep.68 - Alex (Regional Justice Center, Video Prick, CodeXRed)

One of the coolest and nicest people out there. Alex and I talk about growing up half white and half Guatemalan, his very intimate introduction to hardcore and whole lot of music.

Ep. 67 - GUZIE (Human Garbage, Nomads, Minority Unit).

The San Fernando Valley’s Gilbert Guzman a.k.a “Guzie” gives an inside look on having a rough upbringing. We talk about starting bands early on in his life, being involved with Minority Unit, quitting music to join a Firefighter academy, and so much more.

Ep. 66 - Darby (Video Prick, Lysol, Nudes, Control Test)

I did not know of Darby until Video Prick’s stop In the Valley. I was shocked and impressed by their performance. I interviewed him right after the set in the back of Midnight Hour. 20 minute conversation you do not want to miss.

EP. 65 - Alfredo (Soul Search, Fury, Forced Order, Red Death). Alfredo is a silent mastermind behind multiple legendary Southern California hardcore bands.We talk about growing up in the Inland Empire, Soul Search being his first band, his favourite sneaker and so much more.

Ep. 64 - Big Boy

Brandon Flores of Big Boy. We talk about depression, eating McDonalds everyday for 3 years, learning to accept happiness and so much more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. HAPPINESS IS COMING!

Ep. 63 - Sex Prisoner. Tucson Arizona Powerviolence. Funniest and coolest dudes, had the pleasure to talk one of my top 3 bands as a kid.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 62 - Spencer Pollard (Trash Talk, Infest, Dogman Toys).

We talk about his gateway into punk, becoming a dad, life in Bakersfield, and the state of punk today. Spencer is a quiet mastermind and I learned a lot from this episode.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Ep. 61 - Max (Photographic Memory/Milatirie Gun).

One of my personal favorites. We talk about his success as a song writer, producer, and musician. Max guides us through his wild journey of life and shares crazy stories on how he got to where he is today.

Ep. 60 - Bobby Hundreds

This episode Bobby and I talk about what it means to be a “hardcore kid”, how shows were during his youth compared to now, how he managed to keep the brand running for almost 20 years, and what it’s like falling into “alternative culture” while being raised by immigrant parents.

Ep. 58 - Ryan (Section H8, Law of Power, Human Garbage, NOMADS). Ryan is the quiet mastermind who is part of a lot of important Los Angeles hardcore bands. This is his first time on a podcast so we covered his music history starting from early childhood. An interesting and kind man whom I’m glad I had the chance to have him on this podcast.

Ep. 57 - Braxton Marcellous (Zulu, Wise, Shred Bundy, Apsara, etc). Brax is a good friend of mine so this is one of the more personal and raw episodes we have. We talk about severe racism at school and shows, being from the Inland Empire trying to put out music, and personal stories.

Ep. 56 - Greg and Alex are two skinheads/teachers from Whittier. We talk about the current state of punk and hardcore, breaking edge, what is a skinhead, and much more.