“This is where it differs for me. I was never very successful though I had some success when playing with Slayer, but I still have to work. I have achieved some notoriety being the vanguard and on the front lines of thrash metal but this is a more humble story with some redemption.”

“Is the world here for me or for the community? I don’t feel enough people ask that. Community continues to be very important to me as well as working within a sense of positive purpose. Our song, Swagger With Kindness focuses on taking a more positive, helpful response in the face of continued aggression. Rock & Roll with a helping hand is what we wanted to convey.”

“Music has taken me all over the world and I see how the community brings people together and allowed me to experience so many cultures. I think the biggest takeaway I want people to experience from Death Angel is unity, feeling positive, and to have fun because that is the addictive power of music,” said Cavestany.

“To play this music you have to be precise and you have to be skilled because there’s no hiding the fact that you anchor the group. You have to have a lot of endurance and I love this music! I love what Testament brings because it is very musical,” said Dovas.

“I’m happy we never made records under any duress and nobody ever tried to push us in a different direction. I’m totally proud of every record we made and not too many bands that have been around as long as us can say that. Excitement should always be a part of music, especially rock & roll. I’m rather exhausted after finishing this record but I’m glad because I think it turned out great,” said Kurt Bloch.

“My approach has always been that you have to feel inspired to make something good, nothing can replace that. Having some technical knowledge helps develop ideas when the inspiration wears off. It helps but it doesn’t replace the original motivation,” said Denison.

“I feel like we’re in a good place and everyone has expressed they would play anywhere and everywhere. If it were up to me, I’d be on the road all the time. Music is ingrained in me and my parents met each other at an early LA punk show. I feel this upcoming tour is gonna ignite us. We’re also collaborating with Pirate’s Press Records for a split release with Flores y Fuego from Mexico and I think we’re gonna surprise people that have different expectations,” concluded Martinez.

“Seized Up allows me to continually play out and I always enjoy being busy. I feel our new record, Modify The Sacred is a strong representation of where we’re at creatively. As for The Distillers, I am proud for it to exist in any form and we actually do have a completed new record! We’re waiting for the right time to release it and we’re working on playing a festival in Las Vegas in October.”

Available in exclusive gold vinyl via Green Noise Records, L.A. Drugz is back during these uncertain times not to join in with the chorus of civil unrest but to melodically harmonize with gleeful indifference. Song titles such as Ooh Ooh Ooh and On The Street boldly remind you just what you’re getting here and L.A. Drugz sound like a harder backing group for The Shangri-Las but with the necessary stimulants required to charge ahead to more Punk tempos.

“The songwriting took place very quickly with Time to Burn and the same with Dying To Smile. I think the excitement surrounding the band was simply the driving force for the fast output of music. I always loved punk and never thought it was dead or going to die out. The energy of the music is what keeps me young.”

“We wanted to keep it going because we realized how much fun it was revisiting those old songs and playing out together again. Sadly, we no longer have Paula or Kim but we just didn’t wanna stop. We booked and played some shows and the responses were great. It feels right and I feel alive!”

“When we lost Jeff Beck last year I felt music also experienced a tremendous loss. He stands on his own among so many players and he just kept evolving. I feel his playing is so out of this world and I was crushed when I heard the news,” shared Byrd.

Boots N’ Booze takes us through the wild parties the ‘Utters often played, history lessons of Santa Cruz Sharps, and the songwriting evolution of a band that can capture a pub’s gang chorus in one brazen stanza and turn the page to a poignant, introspective ballad just as fast.

“I believe punk continues to have a massive global appeal and it’s very special to get communications from people listening in Germany, Sweden, or Japan who have heard our message and felt compelled to reach out and share their stories with us.”

“I learned I can still express myself without relying on so many notes to communicate. In this group, I feel like I am discovering guitar all over again and despite playing for so long, I am noticing different things and I love that energy,” said Hunolt.

“I always felt we were too Metal for the Punk fans and too rock & roll for Metal. We created our own world of sorts. With this new record, so much time passed, I was like ‘What? You need another one of these?’ This new record sounds hard but natural to me. We still love writing together and playing out,” said Kim McAuliffe.

“Our space looks to have people stay awhile, hang out, and learn about music they may have normally overlooked. We wanna make it a destination spot for vinyl and music enthusiasts and give back to the communities that have been so welcoming to us,” said Matt Friedman.

“You cannot live in fear during creativity. There will sadly be people willing to cast you aside if you don’t fit their ideals or ethos but if your passion is organically expressed and you are creating with sincerity then you are doing the honest thing as a writer. I feel excited with this group and it’s the right time for me,” stated Smalley.

“I ask how do you still remain creative? How do you fight stagnation? Remaining creative is my goal now. Mudhoney just put out Plastic Eternity and skating still means a lot to me. Music and skating are still very intertwined and it’s great to see the far-reaching impacts they both have. People still show up for Mudhoney and I still find inspiration playing these songs.”

“I wanted the follow-up to Controlled Chaos to be exciting, new, and fresh, to take listeners to a new place and take myself somewhere new as an artist, too. We have some amazing collaborations on this album with incredible musicians, as well as the instrumental guitar music that first inspired me to play,” said Strauss.

“It’s interesting looking back at just how long we have been playing despite not exactly striving for anything career-wise. Whatever we choose to write or work to take a new direction, it always ends up sounding like Mudhoney because that’s our sound and it’s who we are,” stated Arm.

“This record feels very powerful and with a light at the end of the tunnel mentality. One of the primary purposes of songwriting is creating something that a listener identifies with, that they relate to. With the work I put in with this record, I’m confident I can evoke positive reactions,” stated Lashley.

“With this record, I view it as more a passion project and I’m proud of how it came out. I feel it features my best writing,” said Jones.

“It’s been a wild ride. From moving to SoCal at only 18 and meeting Olson and starting a group that came up so fast and almost getting signed; I’m grateful just for that because sometimes, I felt I didn’t deserve it. It blows my mind that people still cover our songs and that all these years later, people are still supporting us and that we mean something to people,” concluded Drake.

“We want nothing more than to have people come away with positive feelings from our band because we know everyone has experienced some kind of loss and pain but the power of music can help ease it,” said Zacharyj.

“I do music because it’s a passion, it moves me. I also work to contribute to make it better and create something that can be inclusive. Wrestling also challenges me and I’m hopeful my passion for it can make positive contributions to improve it. If I can make connections with people doing both, I know I’m doing something right.”

“Asking for help and turning to people has also humbled me. I still have angst within me, as evident on the records but I do feel hope. To work and create something among all the rubble that is going on is very powerful and forever positive.”

“I’ve never been the type of person to say anything in life was easy, even Anthrax. My father had abandoned my family, for whatever reasons, when I was 10. Music was my outlet and it saved me. I knew music was something I HAD to do! I got tunnel vision very early and focused on nothing but that goal. Joining Anthrax felt like I had even more purpose and my family were supportive though I was really going thru a lot.”

“Jazz offered me a whole new world and it was very exciting! I enjoyed the new challenges of improv. Why should I limit myself? It was certainly difficult at first and at times, felt like starting all over! I had technique, I could sweep pick, play fast but a lot of my other techniques I relied on didn’t transfer. The dynamics are totally different. The chords don’t transfer and the natural feel is a different level,” stated Skolnick.

“Tomahawk has always been this special place where we can play hard, heavy music and mix in expressionism with a vocalist who can do anything. Tonic Immobility is a statement we’re still around and still doing it. You can take life at your own pace. Sometimes, you just have to wait until the time is right.”

“From the moment we’re born into this world we have a natural, rhythmic beat; Our heart. The pulsing rhythm is just like drums,” affirmed Horn.

“It will be great to get back out but I am sure once on the road, I’ll laugh and say ‘Oh God, why am I doing this all over again?’ We always worked to play all-ages shows, why preach to the converted? We’re like a sick rock & roll cult that wants to recruit a new congregation,” laughed Hopeless.

“In the face of futures postponed or cancelled, the underbelly of civilization shows itself in increased violence and racism while caution, politeness and caring are disregarded without a thought by those who feel freed to do so by the examples set by their leaders.”

“It all began in a very grassroots way. This was their Metal, for the new fans. Not hokey rock and roll and it was the real thing. We worked to give these bands to the people that wanted more and were willing to support it,” reflected Zazula.

“I proud to say that I think we came back strong. I know it’s been awhile since the last record in 2013. I’m happy our fans our loyal because we never relied on radio, we relied on touring and with what has been happening it has been difficult. We’ve played together for so long; I have learned not to argue over childish stuff and just enjoy each other.”

“I don’t feel any burnout or pressure, more like being thankful that I’m still able to do this. Everyone gets along so well playing with Michael Monroe and we all realize that nothing is more important than the music. This is our livelihood and for me, it’s my only job so I make sure to do it at the highest level, no matter which group I am in,” stated Jones.

“It’s high praise that people struggle to define us. I don’t want to be a Goth rock band or an exclusively Metal band. The longer I can hold people off from genre defining statements the better,” laughed Franco.

“We’re not naïve in believing we’re the ultimate solution but this campaign is to make people understand that shootings and violence should not be an accepted, normal part of growing up,” stated Hegel.

“I’m proud of what we do and how this record turned out. There’s no mystery to what we do and we approach music not with some master plan or ultimate goal, except to take these songs and perform them the best we can. We always hope for some kind of response from people because even though songwriting is very personal to me, I’m still communicating with people.”

“How many people our age can just get out there and become relevant to a new generation? We don’t have any illusions of record deals and we’re thankful just to wake up every day and play rock & roll. How many people can be fortunate enough to say that?” said Molinare

“I was moved by the actual words of the Statue of Liberty and was especially drawn to the message of inclusion. Our parents and grandparents came to this country from rougher lives and to start creating something new. People have the basic human right to work and create a better life for themselves and loved ones,” stated Lashley in his hallmark Boston accent.

“Guthrie said anything more than two chords and you’re just showing off. That’s a great sentiment because sometimes keeping things simple is the hardest thing to do,” exclaimed Engine.

“I really am grateful for everything. As for the planned tour, I feel that if you’re touring you should be supporting a new record. Kerry and I will continue writing and we’re looking at recording next year. Kerry was the original catalyst for the band and he got my son and I into music. I forever love him like a brother for that,” concluded Bartsch.

“I’ve never been the guy to say the newest record is the best. With Digital Garbage, I’m very happy with it because there has been some new dynamics. Dan (Peters) wrote a track and Guy(Maddison) added some synth. I know there might be a political statement or two in Mark’s lyrics but I don’t consider us a political band,” said Turner.

“I was always raised to fight for my beliefs. My family goes back generations as being involved in unions and I’m still appalled at the ongoing disrespect toward the American worker,” he stated.

“Our sound wasn’t planned or contrived in any way, we just play like we do because it’s all we know. With this lineup I feel this is the one; in it for life because this is really all we do,” stated Lawrence.