New Bedford, Massachusetts might be seen as a city that’s far removed from the Greater Boston area but there has been a wealth of bands popping up in the deepest point of the South Shore that carry on the BHC spirit. Being so far from the growing metropolis, New Bedford bands have in a way formed their own scene in the city as venues begin to pop up in its artistic community and many bands form in its wake.
Search Warrant are a relatively new band of this ilk but they’ve made quite a name for themselves around the Boston Hardcore circle, playing shows with major acts and becoming a mainstay at the weekend shows. Since forming in late 2023, they’ve already dropped two EPs this year—Re-Execution and Unlawful Demonstration—and played a bunch of local shows as well as opening for massive names like Cro-Mags, Ringworm, and Wound Man.
The quintet represents that old-school mentality of Boston Hardcore’s sound, when bands still clung to the punk side of things and displayed a juvenile sense of fun but also expressed a grim wisdom to the world around them. Bands like Righteous Jams come to mind with their bouncy, two-step centric, anthems that made the shows dangerous but oh so tantalizing to the youth. With nimble guitar work provided by axemen Kyle and Adam, Search Warrant look to bring back some chaos that’s dominated Boston shows at places like the Middle East and any VFW hall that will provide for us. With a tight rhythm section held together by bassist Josh and drummer Nik, everything they loved about 2000s hardcore is provided in the nearly 20 minutes of material they’ve already released.
The sound on Search Warrant's debut EP, Re-Execution, recorded with Chris Cesarini at Old Salt Studios, reminded me of those early 2000s Lockin’ Out bands whom they’ve adamantly cited as an influence. That wild sound that sent kids into a stage diving furor makes up the backbone of Search Warrant’s arrangements along with Brendan’s enraged vocals that are always jumping from speedy delivery to slower moments prime for gang vocals. A helpful feature from Cesarini himself as well as Nolan from fellow New Bedford band Peace Test gave Search Warrant greater attention.
Talking to the band about their influences Kyle stated, “When we first started out we were trying to mix a lot of our different influences together and realized we were just doing too much.
"For this release, especially with two new members on board who are more in line with the rest of the original members, we really wanted to focus on sticking to the traditional side of hardcore punk and picking a lane so to speak. We’re all heavily into early-mid 2000s Lockin’ Out-era hardcore. Bands like The Rival Mob, Mental, Rampage, etc.”
Listening to Unlawful Demonstration, released August 30th, you can definitely hear what the early 2000s Lockin’ Out influence has done for the band. The record feels more fluid and erratic than before and despite the dark subject matter they sound fun. Talking to the band about their lyrics Brendan stated, “Kyle and myself tend to split the lyric writing.
"We're both born/raised blue-collar guys that have both faced our share of various roadblocks and setbacks in life whether they're personal, professional, bad friendships, or trying to navigate through life coming from a broken home etc. If you’re reading this and involved in the hardcore scene I imagine you’ve dealt with your fair share of the same things.”
Never pigeonholing themselves, Search Warrant is always able to make their sound fit the outstanding bills they’ve played on. It doesn’t matter whether they’re playing with heavier bands like Big Boy, Edict or The HIRS Collective the band doesn’t clash with any lineup and they’re going to be a standout performer. Some of their most memorable shows have happened recently when they played with hardcore godfathers Negative Approach.
Guitarist Kyle admitted, “Negative Approach last month was up there when it comes to a favorite show and will be pretty hard to top. We were very lucky to get the opportunity. Those guys are legends.”
While listening to Search Warrant I started to notice a trend of legal jargon being used as song titles which fit with the band's name. I wondered if this was a running theme within their ranks and Brendan admitted it wasn’t intentional but worked all the same. “We are definitely an anti-system band. Some of us have dealt with a lot of bullshit directly tied to law-enforcement whether it’s personally or friends/family of ours.
"Right now, New Bedford is also struggling with a local government that is pro-gentrification and a proposed business development plan that will essentially cripple and stomp out the flourishing downtown arts/dining and community of small business owners that have flourished organically over the last 15 years or so here. It sucks to see and we hate all of it.”
New Bedford has, like many South Shore neighborhoods, been a blue-collar community based around the local fishing industry which bleeds into the culture. It’s like Gloucester for the South Shore which also faced similar hurdles as its blue collar community, mostly based around the fishing industry, was stomped out by gentrification years prior, leaving it a shell of what it once was.
With the release of their new EP, Search Warrant will continue dominating shows along the Boston and Rhode Island areas. In October, they will be playing The Hoff in Holyoke, Massachusetts. with Skud, Ceramik, Hard Feelings and Birthright on the 10th, and then playing at Plymouth’s New World Tavern with Clock Out, Secret Work and the reunited Ambitions on the 25th:
Search Warrant would like to also announce that they will be pressing Unlawful Demonstration onto both cassette and vinyl. No set date on when these will be out but be sure to check their socials for further info and go listen to this energetic EP right now so you can know when it’s time to stage dive at their shows.
Search Warrant would like to shout out: the kids who know their roots when it comes to hardcore punk and appreciate the tried and true stuff in a scene that’s dominated almost exclusively by beatdown and heavy bands at this point. Chris Cesarini from Street Power for being a great friend who’s backed this band since day one.
The PVD hardcore scene and all who are currently involved, our buddies in Maine from Gumskab/Secret Work whom we fuck with heavily, the youngins’ in Through and Through for being super young and playing the good stuff. Go check out their demo.
And last but not least, shoutout to The Tarrys from Connecticut. One of the most slept on side to side punk bands right now, and those guys are super down to earth and cool as well.
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