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How Sound and Fury Festival continues to thrive on the bleeding edge of hardcore’s evolution

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Over a significant portion of its initial 30 years or so, hardcore music generally followed a consistent pattern. While acts like Bad Brains and Orange 9mm bucked this trend, many bands mostly adhered to the sound established by early 1980s groups such as Minor Threat. Subgenres, particularly those with “core” in their names (like metalcore), developed distinct sounds and scenes, but the core principles of hardcore music remained relatively stable. This was often met with criticism from passionate fans, who were quick to condemn any deviations from this established norm.

Over the past five to ten years, the newest wave of musicians from a slightly more intense subgenre of punk rock has ventured into uncharted sonic landscapes. Bands such as Turnstile from Baltimore, Knocked Loose from Kentucky, and Scowl from Santa Cruz have been pioneers in this genre, exploring new avenues – earning recognition and fanbase beyond the hardcore community, which sometimes leads to a divide among its loyal followers.

I’m thrilled to be riding this wave alongside so many other talented acts. It seems like an endless stream of innovation is sweeping through our scene, and I can’t help but feel that everyone benefits from this upward momentum. The old adage, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” couldn’t ring more true in this context. I truly believe there’s enough success to go around, so it feels fantastic to witness the surge of fresh opportunities for us all. It’s inspiring to see young hardcore bands seizing their chances from day one, and we feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this era that’s pushing boundaries in exciting ways.

As a die-hard fan of all things hardcore, it’s incredibly exciting for me to say that this weekend, I’ll be witnessing Knocked Loose headline the Sound and Fury Festival – an event that has become synonymous with modern hardcore music since its debut in 2006. From the heavier end of emo bands like Anxious to more extreme metal-leaning acts, Sound and Fury has consistently showcased a diverse spectrum of music that resonates deeply with its audience – much like Knocked Loose themselves. Over the years, both the festival’s lineup and reach have grown exponentially, mirroring Knocked Loose’s remarkable rise to fame as they continue to redefine the boundaries of hardcore music. I can hardly wait!

According to Garris, it was quite contentious from an auditory viewpoint when various bands began incorporating fresh elements into hardcore music. These bands were part of the hardcore scene but didn’t fit the typical mold of a hardcore band, and this sparked a lot of debate for far too long. However, once that boundary was crossed, it opened up the opportunity for numerous innovative artists to introduce new ideas. Concert bills and touring packages became more diverse as a result, and I find it fascinating when you put together a tour package that doesn’t make sense on paper but sounds amazingly diverse in reality. This keeps things exciting and prevents shows from becoming monotonous.

One significant departure from their traditional hardcore style for Knocked Loose was teaming up with pop-turned-metal artist Poppy on the song “Suffocate” last year, a risky move that proved fruitful. The collaboration expanded their fan base and netted them their highest-charting single as well as a nomination for Best Metal Performance at the Grammys. This track remains one of Garris’s favorite songs and gave the band an opportunity to get more experimental and explore directions they might not have considered otherwise.

The band, Knocked Loose, is thinking about ways to innovate further while still preserving the essence that defines them. They are cognizant of their past in the hardcore music scene, not just as performers but also as enthusiasts. Hardcore scenes can be swift to reject acts due to commercial success, and members Garris, Isaac Hale, Nicko Calderon, Kevin Otten, and Kevin Kaine are keenly aware of the delicate balance they’re maintaining.

In a straightforward manner, “Garris mentions that when it comes to crafting our music, we don’t worry about what our dedicated followers might think. However, regarding how we represent the band, we always consider their perspective since that’s where we originate. Despite the fact that we won’t be performing small-scale DIY hardcore shows anymore, this mindset has enabled us to create a more expansive stage experience. Additionally, we participate in events like Sound and Fury or invite hardcore bands we admire to perform with us because our passion for these genres remains strong. We are grateful for the opportunity to play on such grand stages and discuss topics like pyrotechnics and lighting, but we’ve never strayed from being devoted hardcore fans.

This year, Sound and Fury is once again demonstrating its status as one of America’s top hardcore festivals, featuring bands like Knocked Loose, Scowl, and England’s Basement. The festival stands out with a unique blend of emerging talent and nostalgia acts, such as the Forced Order reunion and Poison the Well, which serve to remind newer generations about the hardcore scene’s history. The lineup is truly one-of-a-kind, maintaining the DIY hardcore spirit that resonated with fans and artists like Sean Riley, Robert Shedd, and Todd Jones when they first launched the event at the Alpine in Ventura 19 years ago.

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Garris notes that there are numerous mainstream rock festivals with similar lineups. For instance, nearly every major American rock festival two years ago was headlined by Metallica. However, he emphasizes that Sound and Fury is a unique event; the lineups feel authentic and thrilling. They cater to a desire you didn’t realize you had.

Riley explains, “I believe dedicated enthusiasts yearn for deeper understanding than what they typically receive from mainstream sources. Given that most individuals here access this community via that lens, it fosters an inviting and open atmosphere. Here, regardless if you’re straightedge, prefer wearing corpse paint in public, or enjoy dancing at concerts, you can express yourself freely without prejudice. Moreover, I consider hardcore shows to offer some of the most authentic live-music experiences available, making it a liberating encounter.

Riley, the last of the original trio of founders who’s still involved with Sound and Fury, works alongside Martin Stewart and Madison Woodward. Over the years, he has consistently maintained the festival’s hardcore roots despite various venue shifts and impressive growth. Today, Sound and Fury remains as influential and cherished in the Los Angeles hardcore scene, and beyond, as it ever was. It resonates with multiple generations of hardcore enthusiasts, some of whom are now performing on stage themselves.

Riley explains that while “[Sound and Fury]” isn’t our primary profession, it’s something we pursue in our free time to motivate others. We understand the impact of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) culture on our lives beyond the music scene. Over the years, we’ve witnessed participants starting bands that perform at the festival, publishing zines sold there, launching businesses or food vendors for the event, and even helping us organize it, some even holding ownership stakes. Witnessing its organic growth year after year affirms our approach and hopefully means it’s fulfilling its purpose.

Garris eagerly awaited Sound and Fury as one of his top shows for the year, being such an ardent fan of the event. He’s witnessed its development from a spectator’s perspective, recalling when the entire gathering numbered just 1,000 people. To see where it stands now is truly awe-inspiring. It consistently raises the bar for hardcore festivals each year and ventures into uncharted territories, as its size was never intended to be this grand. The organizers’ dedication to preserving the festival’s essence while scaling it to unprecedented heights, all while maintaining a DIY feel and hardcore atmosphere, is commendable. We’re thrilled to be involved in such an extraordinary event.

In similar words, Kat Moss from Scowl asserted that “Sound and Fury is undeniably the finest hardcore festival.

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2025-07-11 23:01

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