I recently met Nate and Taylor of GOLD while on tour in Bakersfield, California. It was my first time visiting the city and felt instantly welcomed. The energy and excitement of their newly revitalized scene is palpable. They’ve got a rad DIY venue (more on that below) and a whole crop of diverse new bands injecting life into an often neglected area.
Growing up in Redding, California, I understand the feeling of having a scene develop in the shadows of areas that loom large in the state like the Bay or Los Angeles. Nate and Taylor’s enthusiasm for hardcore in their town is something that I am really proud to share with No Echo’s readers.
Here are 7 bands, 2 venues, and “the best record store in California” (Nate’s words!) that are putting Bakersfield on the map right now.
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Pump Fake
"Pump Fake have the most enjoyable live sets Bakersfield has scene in at least 10 years and a phenomenal demo to back it up. Watching this band live is the first time I’ve seen 275 kids packed into the local DIY spot, and almost every single one of them is losing their mind.
"It’s wild to watch these crust punk kids play some of the meanest beatdown hardcore you’ve ever seen and end it all by covering fucking Dystopia. Demolition 2024 came out right before the year ended, and 'Bring My Shit Back' is a definite must listen."
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In Balance
"In Balance is a melodic hardcore band, who bring emotive and catchy lyricism backed by instrumentation that evokes the glory days of the 2010s pop-punk scene while simultaneously feeling fresh and right at home amongst the burgeoning scene of similar acts like Koyo and One Step Closer. While they fall in this category, they are in a class of their own with their particular mix of influences, the rich vocal performances, and dynamic leads.
"This band bridges the gap between two-steps and hard body mosh and heartfelt songs that you'll want to have one repeat. Their live shows have immense energy that makes the whole crowd move, and compels anyone who knows the words to sing along."
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GAHD (GREED AND HUMAN DISGUST)
"D-Beat rockers straight from the mouth of hell, GAHD is always a pleasure to see. Playing raw d-beat with a metallic tinge, these dudes would be right at home on a bill with His Hero is Gone, Death Threat, or Tragedy.
"Made up of certified veterans of the scene, they have a fresh sound and with a bite that is always a pleasure to experience. Political and aggressive, with an old school flair. Last of the Wolves is our favorite track. (JORDY LOC FOREVER)"
*Keep an eye out, their first EP is in the works and coming soon.
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Government Surveillance
"A group of young rockers keeping punk alive in the valley, Government Surveillance bring speed and frantic energy to every performance. With some of the tightest drumming in the Valley, every set is a kinetic race to the finish line, and after witnessing it once you’ll understand why they call themselves a 'ripperblast' band.
"These kids are a mainstay at BKFD punk gigs and we can’t wait for their demo to come out."
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Only One
"STRAIGHT FUCKING EDGE. Only One is the only straight edge band in a city famous for its meth problem and drunk driving, these fools deliver short bursts of sober spite. Power violence in the vein of No Tolerance, Coke Bust, and early Think I Care.
"Watching this band live is short and brutal, with minute long songs that somehow manage to fit in a breakdown. Side to side hardcore is alive and well in Bakersfield, California. My favorite track is 'Lost Sight.'"
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Epilepsy
"Bakersfield’s resident slam band, these kids went from being regulars on the dance floor to playing every week and having one of the scariest dance floors in Bakersfield.
"Inspired by Snuffed on Sight and Peeling Flesh, Epilepsy delivers brutal riffs that pay homage without feeling uninspired. Demo coming soon and is for sure one to look out for."
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GOLD
"Bakersfield’s flagship hardcore punk band, GOLD are leading the charge in bringing the visceral and outspoken response to the economic conditions of the Kern River Valley to the wider world. SOLID FUCKING GOLD. (BRIANNA FOREVER)"
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415 BKFD
"One of two home bases of the BKFD scene (Instagram page). This is an old school, warehouse, DIY style venue that is the spiritual successor of this old punk club called Babylon. Growing up, you’d see insane, legendary shit at Babylon for $5 on a fucking Thursday night. We’re talking Los Crudos, Fury, The Flex, GLOSS, even fucking Power Trip. So why not try again? We built a stage, you show up, and you play to as many kids show up that night.
"Prior to COVID, we had a healthy, but smaller scene. When the world started to open back up and 415 opened its doors, things changed. Between Pump Fake and 415 opening its doors, the Bakersfield scene is at one of the healthiest points it's ever been, where 300 people will cram in and mosh like you've never seen for a completely local lineup.
"The venue has already hosted some major as well as up-and-coming heavy hitters including Condition One, CDC, Leave No Doubt, Fentanyl, Snuffed On Sight, Lethal, Bloodstains, Cosmic Joke, and Beton Arme with many more to come."
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Jerry’s Pizza
"The other home base of the BKFD scene, Jerry’s Pizza is a legendary venue (location and info) that’s been operating since the '90s and has hosted acts from Madball to Weezer. These days, it has a wide variety of punk, metal, and deathcore gigs that are always all ages and affordable.
"This spot has been around forever for a reason and it fucking rocks. Recently, The Massacred, Terror, Haywire, Hez, Peace Talks, K.O.S., Haunter, and many more have played here. If you’re in the area, this is a must step."
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Going Underground Records
"One of the largest and longest lasting independent record stores in the state, Going Underground Records (store location and info) has long been a bastion for the local music scene. The store itself stocks everything from esoteric private press psych, to the newest local bands demo tapes.
"In addition to having one of the best collections of punk and hardcore, Going Underground is also a label, having a number of fantastic releases under it's belt from the likes of The Achtungs, Sick Thoughts, Human Mess, Contaminators, Francis Harold, Gunn and many more with the newest addition to the roster being the debut LP from So-Cal band Seudo Youth, with upcoming re-releases on the the way from The Pine.
"The owner, Ron Ramirez, is responsible for much of the local DIY scene, running the legendary venue Munoz Gym, as well as Babylon. Going Underground is at the core of Bakersfield music."
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Stay tuned for part three of this Bakersfield series where Ron gives No Echo the inside scoop of the label side of Going Underground Records.
Tagged: epilepsy, gahd, gold, government surveillance, inbalance, only one, pump fake, scene report
