7 Comments

ohhh the story about his student made me so happy :')

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Me too. It sometimes sound corny to say that's why we do it, but....it is. Knowing you've had a demonstrably positive effect on someone's life goes a long way.

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"I play and I write music because that’s my outlet and sometimes I don’t have anything else. I played hardcore and punk because it was the thing I could play and because it was the thing that helped as an outlet."

Though there were many great quotes, thoughts and feels shared in this interview, this one spoke to me personally. Another awesome interview from a solid torchbearer in our collective hardcore history.

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"It was the only thing I could play" is very real to me!

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Same, haha. We use the tools and talent we have at the time.

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This is such a great interview and one that I could relate too very much but not from a color or ethnic way (I'm just a average white dude) but I could relate on a personal, people way. We share many of the same feelings growing up, I was goofy and always got picked on so I developed this self deprecating shield. As I got older I found hardcore punk: YOT, Minor Threat, Black Flag, SSD: all the older stuff. I picked up a guitar and found out that I could kinda play to what I heard. That gave me some semblance of confidence. I formed a band and kinda "became" a guitar player. No longer was I picked on, at least as long as I stayed in the scene. Sorry for rambling but this interview got me very introspective as to where I came from, why I did what I did, and how I got where I am today. I hope this makes sense. You and Neeraj made my day today and I thank you both so much for this interview.

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Absolutely, same. The first thing I learned was the Someone Got Their Head Kicked In comp. Like, literally the whole comp, with one power chord. It gave me all the confidence I needed to think I could play guitar. I don't know where I'd be if that hadn't happened!

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