The four members of Bootcamp have been riding for the Iowa punk scene for years. Guitarist Dolly S. and drummer Oliver O. were previously in the band Beyond Peace together, while the latter musician is also currently in Death Kill Ovedrive with Bootcamp bassist Molly E.
"Eventually, we decided to start a fast hardcore band because I really wanted to play d-beats," Bootcamp vocalist Juliette E. told me over email. "We had our first practice in April of 2023 and had our first show late May 2023. We love this kind of music so it all came together very quickly and easily."
Juliette's take on Bootcamp's writing and playing style is spot-on stuff: "We play fast and punchy hardcore punk. It’s definitely d-beat influenced, but it’s a little more rock' n' roll-y with big hooks than your average d-beat onslaught. You can and should shake your ass."
This past May, Bootcamp dropped a 4-song EP called Controlled Burn:
"Controlled Burn, out on Pokeys Records, is a record inspired by where we’re from: Iowa," Juliette proudly wrote me. "A once beautiful state covered with diverse prairie land has been all but destroyed by industrial agriculture and factory farming.
"All members of Bootcamp are vegan, so naturally we want to burn down all factory farms across the state and leave the feed crop fields a distant memory."
According to Juliette, Bootcamp is just getting cooking. "We have a bunch of one-offs and local Iowa shows planned, with a few tentative week runs later this year in the works (maybe East Coast?). We’re also in the process of writing an LP, so keep your eyes peeled for that."
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Controlled Burn is available on vinyl and cassette via Pokeys Records.
Bootcamp on social media: Instagram
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