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Al Barile, guitarist with pioneering hardcore band SSD, dies at 63

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Al Barile, known for his guitar skills in the influential Boston hardcore band SS Decontrol, which was a significant part of the straight-edge movement that rejected drugs and alcohol in the early ’80s, including bands like Minor Threat from Washington, passed away on Sunday at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He was 63 years old.

News about his passing was shared on Instagram by his wife, Nancy Barile, without disclosing the specific reason, but she did mention that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022 and passed away tranquilly with her by his side.

1- Minute-long songs characterized SS Decontrol, often abbreviated as SSD, where they fiercely criticized what the band members perceived as the hypocrisy and oppressive nature of government, law enforcement, and organized religion. Albums like “The Kids Will Have Their Say” (1982), which featured a cover image of young protesters marching on the steps of the Massachusetts State House, exemplified their music. The music was aggressive and rapid, with relentless guitar riffs that made using a fourth chord seem almost sinful.

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Joyce Millman wrote admiringly in the Boston Phoenix in 1982 that “‘The Kids Will Have Their Say’ is so disturbing and ugly that fans of SS Decontrol can rest assured their champions won’t fall to commercialism, not even unintentionally. In the Trouser Press, Ian McCaleb and Ira Robbins described the band’s follow-up album, 1983’s “Get It Away,” as a “definitive hardcore classic.

Alan Scott Barile hails from Lynn, Mass., where he spent his childhood playing hockey and creating Dracula films, as shared by his spouse in a statement. The Ramones’ music sparked his interest in guitar playing, leading him to eventually establish SSD (during his tenure as a mechanical engineering student at Northeastern University) alongside bassist Jaime Sciarappa, drummer Chris Foley and vocalist David Spring, famously known as Springa.

In the 2024 documentary on SSD, Springa recounted, “Al stepped up to give his grand speech – a moment as vivid in my memory as my 8th birthday. He declared, ‘This isn’t about creating a groovy band for people to dance and wiggle. We’re making a powerful statement: It’s anti-government, anti-social norms, anti-conformity, and bridging the gap between us, the band, and our audience.’

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In the film, Barile mentioned that he established SSD as a counterpoint to well-known Boston bands like Aerosmith and The Cars. He felt that their music didn’t seem genuine or sincere enough; it lacked the authenticity and honesty he yearned for. The idea of abstaining from alcohol and drugs was influenced by Minor Threat, who released their debut EP in 1981 with a song called “Straight Edge.” In this track, singer Ian MacKaye sang about being just like everyone else but having more meaningful things to do than waste time getting drunk or hanging out with people who were essentially dead inside.

In her remarks, Nancy Barile expressed that the straight-edge philosophy offered an alternative way of life for children, diverging from the common ’70s suburban party culture.

In collaboration with Xclaim! Records and Dischord, helmed by Ian MacKaye, the band SSD released “The Kids Will Have Their Say.” Later, they incorporated guitarist Francois Levesque for the song “Get It Away.” The group then put out two more albums with a strong emphasis on heavy metal before disbanding in 1985. Post-SSD, Barile established Gage and found employment as an engineer for General Electric. This year, SSD was enshrined into the New England Music Hall of Fame.

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2025-04-07 07:31

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