THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA, FEATURING MEMBERS OF AWOLNATION + TINFED, SHARE “THREE LETTERS” VIDEO — WATCH
SONG FEATURES TIM MCILRATH OF RISE AGAINST
DEBUT ALBUM AND NOW I’M JUST GNASHING MY TEETH ARRIVES OCTOBER 4
LIVE PERFORMANCE SET FOR OCTOBER 19 AT THE TROUBADOUR IN LOS ANGELES — TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The West Coast’s contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians Of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. Featuring Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION and Eric Stenman of Tinfed, as well as being a noted producer, TBOC are equal opportunity iconoclasts, gleefully thrashing the left and the right in the hardcore-punk tradition of nonconformity and raw fury. The band isn’t “political,” because they aren’t advocating for anyone’s platform. The central message is defiance.
The band’s debut album And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth arrives on October 4 via ONErpm. Pre-order it here.
Today, The Barbarians of California share the video for “Three Letters.” The song features Tim McIlrath of Rise Against.
Watch it here.
“When we started The Barbarians of California, Eric and I had a hand-shake deal that, within this project, I would never sing in a similar vocal style to what I do in AWOLNATION,” says Bruno. “We wanted to keep everything much more brutal. With this song, we wrote the verses and heavier sections first, and I remember later that night… having this chorus idea come to me out of thin air. It was an obvious departure in every way, but I knew it needed to happen. I realized that this opened up an opportunity to go wider. I was being stubborn by refusing to ‘sing.’ Rules are made to be broken.”
Stenman offers, “I’m confident that anyone who meets Tim instantly falls in love with the guy! He’s super positive, a great hang, and shares so many common loves from ’90s and early 2000’s music. We were psyched when he made time to come over to our studio and work on this song with us. His voice sounds absolutely amazing alongside Aaron’s.”
“‘Three Letters’ is a blast of energy that will be familiar to people like Aaron and I, who spent many of our formative years in the ’90s hardcore world,” says McIlrath. “I was glad to lend my voice to it and I hope it hijacks the airwaves near you soon.”
The band will also play its first show on October 19 at the Troubadour in L.A., with Strife, Will Haven, and Berthold City also to appear. Get tickets here.
“This album is the culmination of many, many hours spent chasing down a sound that we weren’t, currently, hearing out in the world,” says Stenman. “Personally, I almost felt guilty getting to make it… like we were putting our real lives on hold to pursue a pure passion project. I hope that the amount of fun that we had making it, comes through to the listener.”
AND NOW I’M JUST GNASHING MY TEETH TRACK LISTING:
“The Library”
“No Sir I Won’t Wear Your Jacket” (Feat. Rick Rodney of Strife)
“The Walrus”
“Bazooka”
“Dopamine Prophecy”
“Three Letters” (Feat. Tim McIlrath of Rise Against)
“Where Are the Punks”
“By The Time I Get To Mexico”
“Mr. Microphone”
“Far Out, Bro” (Feat. Daryl Taberski of Snapcase)So, who, exactly, are The Barbarians of California? Let’s find out, shall we?
Eric Stenman and Aaron Bruno first collided in the California hardcore scene of the early ’90s. Stenman cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Dance Gavin Dance, Death Grips, and Trash Talk. Bruno was born and raised just north of L.A. and nicknamed “AWOL” by his high school friends. Eric played guitar for cutting-edge, electro-infused rockers Tinfed. Commercial success eluded them despite a cult following, a deal with a major label, and an appearance on the M:I 2 soundtrack.
Bruno co-founded the hardcore band Insurgence as a teenager. His next band, Home Town Hero, toured with Weezer and Stone Temple Pilots and released a major label album, but combusted in 2004. Next came Under The Influence Of Giants, who, despite critical acclaim, disbanded in 2008. Stenman became one of the most sought-after producers of alternative rock. His discography as a producer, mixer, and engineer includes important releases from 7 Seconds, Senses Fail, ††† (Crosses), and AWOLNATION. AWOLNATION, of course, is the multi-platinum act Bruno formed in 2009.
The spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians were born.
The apparent “full circle” moment isn’t lost on either of them. “It’s a funny time in our lives to go back and make the most aggressive music we’ve ever created,” Stenman laughs. “Both of us have always had a love for this world. If given the opportunity, why not try to give back to it?”
