After positively reviewing their 7”, almost a few months ago I emailed a bunch of questions to offer the guys to the chance to introduce who they are, get their thoughts on being straight-edge and on those crossing the line after a period of their life, the values they took high care of, the “Youth Crew 2014” compilation their featured in and other things I thought you too would find interesting reading while blasting their record at full volume -all their stuff is up on bandcamp for you to listen to and download, if you're into the digital shit.
gan: Hey how's all in life?
I think it’s safe to say that life is pretty rad! Especially for David (lead guitar) who’s backpacking through Italy (and the rest of Europe) as we speak… new album out soon…life is rad.
gan: Can you please offer a back history on KID ARMOR -please mention who play what and any additional details worth sharing?
Kid Armor was formed back in 2010…Shea Ryan (vocals), Max Buchanan (bass), Garrison (drums) and David Giali (lead guitar)…playing hardcore punk, trying to bring a unique & fresh sound into the hardcore scene. We recorded a demo, and got a really positive response at our first show
So… we decided to take things more seriously. We cycled through a few bass players, and finally landed Noah Ortiz (the most solid dude, who happened to be a huge KXA fan before joining). We completed our lineup with a second guitar player (hardcore heartthrob) Buddy Porter, who helped fill-out our sound. Soon, we recorded the Better Days 7”, and….
gan: So last year you released your first 7” record titled “Better Days”, out through Dutch xCommitmentx records. I reviewed it myself for gotanerve-zine, what has the overall reaction been to this first album?
Overall, It’s been a very good reaction thus far...including the review for GotANerve-zine. We definitely took some stylistic risks with those songs, and after the album came out, we really surprised a lot of people with our sound. Essentially, I think the hardcore scene was looking for something different…and we gave it to them. We’re always surprised that no matter where we play, people know the words to our songs…that’s always a huge compliment – it means people are actually listening, and not just moshing.
gan: You guys are a straight-edge band, and as I wrote in the review the cover artwork itself speaks volumes about keeping your lifestyle drug free. Are all of you edge? And what being straight-edge means to you? And what it meant to you on a personal level?
Yes, Kid Armor is an all-straightedge band. But in saying that, we all have different answers on what being straightedge means to us. We all come from different paths and circumstances, but the end result is still the same; we’ve each made the commitment to stay Straight Edge. Personally I (…Noah) think Straight Edge is one thing that keeps me clear of mind and able to control my body 100%. It makes me enjoy life to the fullest and that's what I love about being straight edge. Just being worry free.
gan: When reading about straight-edge, in lyrics, columns, I get a common thread that is about growing up and for someone taking the choice of moving out the edge, and I always happen to think of Mainstrike's title track of 1998 album entitled “No Passing Phase”. Do you see the sXe as a lifetime commitment or would you accept somebody wanting out of it because moving onward in life they don't think being edge and its values have still a place in their life?
Actually no, Temper was initially going to appear on Better Days –in fact, it was one of the first songs written for that album (Insider fact: it’s about crazy-mother antics). Due to limited space on the 7” format, we had to cut a few songs, Temper was one of them.
In the end it all worked out! We think it fits perfectly on the Positive & Focused YOUTHCREW 2014 compilation, cuz it really showcases our punk roots. But again, we’re so stoked that Toni included it on that compilation.
gan: Talking about the new album, can you share fresh news with us?
AHHHHHHHH … We can’t wait to release this album (!!!), which we’ve titled THE OUTCOME REPLAYS. Every bone in my body wants to leak these tracks online, and its taking so much self-control to hold onto them. Right now, we’re hammering out the logistical stuff (album art, distribution, etc.), but it should be out by mid-June! (Keep updated on our Facebook for teasers and previews!)
In terms of content, we couldn’t be more stoked. This album really leaves Better Days in the dust – we took some huge stylistic risks, thoroughly refined the ideas and lyrical content…and everything just hits harder and faster. I mean, we’re all very proud of Better Days, but uh…progress?
gan: So you guys hail from Mission Viejo, CA (southern Orange County). How's it like living and growing up there? How's your local scene like these days and how Kid Armor fits in this scene?
I think it’s safe to say that life is pretty rad! Especially for David (lead guitar) who’s backpacking through Italy (and the rest of Europe) as we speak… new album out soon…life is rad.
gan: Can you please offer a back history on KID ARMOR -please mention who play what and any additional details worth sharing?
Kid Armor was formed back in 2010…Shea Ryan (vocals), Max Buchanan (bass), Garrison (drums) and David Giali (lead guitar)…playing hardcore punk, trying to bring a unique & fresh sound into the hardcore scene. We recorded a demo, and got a really positive response at our first show
So… we decided to take things more seriously. We cycled through a few bass players, and finally landed Noah Ortiz (the most solid dude, who happened to be a huge KXA fan before joining). We completed our lineup with a second guitar player (hardcore heartthrob) Buddy Porter, who helped fill-out our sound. Soon, we recorded the Better Days 7”, and….
gan: So last year you released your first 7” record titled “Better Days”, out through Dutch xCommitmentx records. I reviewed it myself for gotanerve-zine, what has the overall reaction been to this first album?
Overall, It’s been a very good reaction thus far...including the review for GotANerve-zine. We definitely took some stylistic risks with those songs, and after the album came out, we really surprised a lot of people with our sound. Essentially, I think the hardcore scene was looking for something different…and we gave it to them. We’re always surprised that no matter where we play, people know the words to our songs…that’s always a huge compliment – it means people are actually listening, and not just moshing.
gan: You guys are a straight-edge band, and as I wrote in the review the cover artwork itself speaks volumes about keeping your lifestyle drug free. Are all of you edge? And what being straight-edge means to you? And what it meant to you on a personal level?
Yes, Kid Armor is an all-straightedge band. But in saying that, we all have different answers on what being straightedge means to us. We all come from different paths and circumstances, but the end result is still the same; we’ve each made the commitment to stay Straight Edge. Personally I (…Noah) think Straight Edge is one thing that keeps me clear of mind and able to control my body 100%. It makes me enjoy life to the fullest and that's what I love about being straight edge. Just being worry free.
gan: When reading about straight-edge, in lyrics, columns, I get a common thread that is about growing up and for someone taking the choice of moving out the edge, and I always happen to think of Mainstrike's title track of 1998 album entitled “No Passing Phase”. Do you see the sXe as a lifetime commitment or would you accept somebody wanting out of it because moving onward in life they don't think being edge and its values have still a place in their life?
Absolutely, that’s a great question. For us straight-edge isn’t a passing trend, it’s something we’ll carry our entire lives. With that being said, we've all had friends who’ve walked away from it…but by no means do we hold any resentment towards them. Of course, it’s frustrating to see someone (or multiple friends) abruptly reject the entire lifestyle, beliefs and commitments. And it hurts even more when people mock us and their former way of life…that theme is reflected in our songs, especially on Better Days.
But at the end of the day, and most importantly…edge-or-not, they're our friends and they'll always be our friends regardless. To some it may be a way to fit-in, or to make friends….for us it’s something way more - that’s why were still here.
gan: You are featured with a song in the youth crew sXe compilation “Youth Crew 2014”. How has you’re inclusion came about, and what do you think of this compilation, which hit the 4th release mark, and about the labels behind it?
Believe it or not, Toni (Positive &Focused) was an instrumental figure in this band long before the YC14 Comp. He reached out to us before Better Days, and set us up with Robert from XCOMMITMENTX for that release later on.
Toni (or Anton if you’re from Europe…) is an awesome guy, and we are super lucky to be featured on that comp, period. Not only are the bands great, but YC14 is an international (global) effort, which goes to show that Youth Crew is not only dead, but thriving around the world. Four releases later…how fucking cool is that? The whole thing is killer…the songs are rad, the artwork is incredible…we’re totally privileged to be a part of it. If I’m not mistaken, YC14 is sold out?! Positive & Focused has a bright future ahead of it, and we’d love to be a part of it for future releases.
But at the end of the day, and most importantly…edge-or-not, they're our friends and they'll always be our friends regardless. To some it may be a way to fit-in, or to make friends….for us it’s something way more - that’s why were still here.
gan: You are featured with a song in the youth crew sXe compilation “Youth Crew 2014”. How has you’re inclusion came about, and what do you think of this compilation, which hit the 4th release mark, and about the labels behind it?
Believe it or not, Toni (Positive &Focused) was an instrumental figure in this band long before the YC14 Comp. He reached out to us before Better Days, and set us up with Robert from XCOMMITMENTX for that release later on.
Toni (or Anton if you’re from Europe…) is an awesome guy, and we are super lucky to be featured on that comp, period. Not only are the bands great, but YC14 is an international (global) effort, which goes to show that Youth Crew is not only dead, but thriving around the world. Four releases later…how fucking cool is that? The whole thing is killer…the songs are rad, the artwork is incredible…we’re totally privileged to be a part of it. If I’m not mistaken, YC14 is sold out?! Positive & Focused has a bright future ahead of it, and we’d love to be a part of it for future releases.
gan: That song is entitled “Temper”, was it written for this compilation or will it go into the new record I read you're working on?
Actually no, Temper was initially going to appear on Better Days –in fact, it was one of the first songs written for that album (Insider fact: it’s about crazy-mother antics). Due to limited space on the 7” format, we had to cut a few songs, Temper was one of them.
In the end it all worked out! We think it fits perfectly on the Positive & Focused YOUTHCREW 2014 compilation, cuz it really showcases our punk roots. But again, we’re so stoked that Toni included it on that compilation.
gan: Talking about the new album, can you share fresh news with us?
AHHHHHHHH … We can’t wait to release this album (!!!), which we’ve titled THE OUTCOME REPLAYS. Every bone in my body wants to leak these tracks online, and its taking so much self-control to hold onto them. Right now, we’re hammering out the logistical stuff (album art, distribution, etc.), but it should be out by mid-June! (Keep updated on our Facebook for teasers and previews!)
In terms of content, we couldn’t be more stoked. This album really leaves Better Days in the dust – we took some huge stylistic risks, thoroughly refined the ideas and lyrical content…and everything just hits harder and faster. I mean, we’re all very proud of Better Days, but uh…progress?
gan: So you guys hail from Mission Viejo, CA (southern Orange County). How's it like living and growing up there? How's your local scene like these days and how Kid Armor fits in this scene?
Yep, Mission Viejo and the greater South Orange County CA area. Living here is a blessing and in some ways a curse. Sure, we’re a little spoiled by the weather and the beach, but growing up here isn’t all roses. Instead of growing up with poverty and crime, we dealt with restriction, pretentiousness and a sterile, brainwashed culture. Here, everything closes at 9:00pm…if you want “culture,” you’re going on a road trip. And it’s not like we’re the only kids dealing with these feelings… the Adolescents, TSOL, Social Distortion…they grew up here, and they wrote songs about it too.
Our scene… there’s some great bands down here, but all of our venues are getting shut down and it’s a huge bummer. Our last 10+ shows have been at least an hour drive from our home town…in LA and San Diego. That’s part of living here…our “home venue” was turned into the Surfing-Cowboy Bar, and the next closest venue was shut down by the county. *poof, sterilized*
gan: What's your favourite about being in a hardcore band?
Dude, friendship and community for sure. When you’re in a band, you instantly meet people and make a ton of friends that way – every show, every tour you meet a handful of new people.
But personally (Garrison speaking), the hardcore community continually challenges me to rethink and refine my beliefs for the better… and that’s why I love this scene. The hardcore community is known for embracing and espousing radical ideas (straight edge, anarcho-socialism, veganism, etc.) and it forces people to really dig into complex issues which most people like to ignore. Surely, people in this scene don’t always agree on certain issues, but hardcore forces us to think through things, and to take a stand when necessary.
gan: In the review I mentioned early The Offspring as a sound reference, this mainly for the So-Cal sound, did they somehow influenced you guys?
Hahah that’s an interesting comparison! You know, I don’t think we (as a band) would ever list them as one of our primary influences, but that comparison is certainly merited. When we were growing up and getting into hardcore, the Offspring were relatively “commercialized” and never had that underground vibe…they were on the radio, played bigger festival type shows, and played with bands that we never considered “authentic” hardcore. But that wasn’t a fair assessment, because the Offspring are the real deal, they just made it further than other bands from their time.
When it comes down to it, Kid Armor and The Offspring definitely share some of the same influences – 80’s hardcore and OC Punk - it’s totally apparent in our sound. You can hear Agent Orange inspired guitar riffs in Offspring and Kid Armor songs alike. Certainly, Kid Armor has a different aesthetic and fan base than the Offspring (like straight edge), but we both come from the same area, and draw inspiration from the same bands.
gan: Any chances you guys will fly to Europe and play gigs there?
Please, god, can we? Our guitar player (David) is in Europe right now, and I think we’re all squirming to get over there and play. If we could line up some shows, we’d do it in a heartbeat. If anyone has some leads for Europe shows or tours…please PLEASE hit us up: kidarmorhc@gmail.com
gan: Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Any final words?
Thanks for reaching out Marco, were stoked that you guys would even feature us!!! Final words… quick thanks to our other European pals, Toni (Positive and Focused) and Robert (xCommitmentx)…genuinely awesome guys who do so much for hardcore on an international basis. And stay tuned for The Outcome Replays (June 2014)!!!
Our scene… there’s some great bands down here, but all of our venues are getting shut down and it’s a huge bummer. Our last 10+ shows have been at least an hour drive from our home town…in LA and San Diego. That’s part of living here…our “home venue” was turned into the Surfing-Cowboy Bar, and the next closest venue was shut down by the county. *poof, sterilized*
gan: What's your favourite about being in a hardcore band?
Dude, friendship and community for sure. When you’re in a band, you instantly meet people and make a ton of friends that way – every show, every tour you meet a handful of new people.
But personally (Garrison speaking), the hardcore community continually challenges me to rethink and refine my beliefs for the better… and that’s why I love this scene. The hardcore community is known for embracing and espousing radical ideas (straight edge, anarcho-socialism, veganism, etc.) and it forces people to really dig into complex issues which most people like to ignore. Surely, people in this scene don’t always agree on certain issues, but hardcore forces us to think through things, and to take a stand when necessary.
gan: In the review I mentioned early The Offspring as a sound reference, this mainly for the So-Cal sound, did they somehow influenced you guys?
Hahah that’s an interesting comparison! You know, I don’t think we (as a band) would ever list them as one of our primary influences, but that comparison is certainly merited. When we were growing up and getting into hardcore, the Offspring were relatively “commercialized” and never had that underground vibe…they were on the radio, played bigger festival type shows, and played with bands that we never considered “authentic” hardcore. But that wasn’t a fair assessment, because the Offspring are the real deal, they just made it further than other bands from their time.
When it comes down to it, Kid Armor and The Offspring definitely share some of the same influences – 80’s hardcore and OC Punk - it’s totally apparent in our sound. You can hear Agent Orange inspired guitar riffs in Offspring and Kid Armor songs alike. Certainly, Kid Armor has a different aesthetic and fan base than the Offspring (like straight edge), but we both come from the same area, and draw inspiration from the same bands.
gan: Any chances you guys will fly to Europe and play gigs there?
Please, god, can we? Our guitar player (David) is in Europe right now, and I think we’re all squirming to get over there and play. If we could line up some shows, we’d do it in a heartbeat. If anyone has some leads for Europe shows or tours…please PLEASE hit us up: kidarmorhc@gmail.com
gan: Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Any final words?
Thanks for reaching out Marco, were stoked that you guys would even feature us!!! Final words… quick thanks to our other European pals, Toni (Positive and Focused) and Robert (xCommitmentx)…genuinely awesome guys who do so much for hardcore on an international basis. And stay tuned for The Outcome Replays (June 2014)!!!
Check: www.facebook.com/KidArmor
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