XTINGUISH THE CODE

PHOTO CREDIT: JOSPEH MARAN

1. Welcome to All the Cores and More! Would you please introduce yourself and what you do in the band?

Greetings, everyone. My name is Bernard. I am the singer for Xtinguish The Code.

2. Would you please provide some background basics on the band: where you’re from, when and how you formed, etc.? 

Xtinguish the Code formed in 2020 with members from the Bronx and Brooklyn. I joined in 2024 replacing the prior singer Kevin Lugo and shortly after me, Nate jumped in on drums.

3. They say you never forget your first. For me, it was Bad Brains, specifically Rock for Light, in 2002. When did you discover hardcore and what was the band, song, or album that did it for you?

For me, it was also the Bad Brains: I Against I. When I first heard that, it pretty much changed my life. I was just getting into punk, and I was always into early metal when I heard I Against I and the Bad Brains, I was like, “Not only do these guys resemble but this music is amazing. I need to know more.” This was around 1986 or so. I immediately started listening to more hardcore bands like Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Warzone, Leeway, Underdog, Absolution, Burn, etc.

4. You released The Conflict in late March of this year. Tell us about the writing and recording process for the album.

The recording process was a lot of fun. We worked with our buddy Joe Kusak of Amplitude Recording and the drummer for Brass Knuckle Brigade. It was a very laid-back free and creative experience. All in all, it went smoothly, and we all got to express our ideas pretty clearly.

5. What does each individual song on The Conflict deal with and what is the record’s overall message and theme?

The overall theme of the conflict is the journey of a citizen reaching their breaking point. From beginning to end of the record, we wanted to portray this person’s struggle, and by the end, we all bear witness to the culmination of their pain. 

Track 1 “The Conflict.” The citizen comes to the reality that the country they served does not serve them.

Track 2 “Despair.” The citizen starts looking for answers and discovers them in much different places than they were expecting.

Track 3 “REX 84b.” (everyone should look up REX 84B) The citizen gets a good look at what the powers that be have behind closed doors and they don’t particularly like it. 

Track 4 “Declaration / Doomsday Cult.” The citizen refuses to bend to a cult of personality. 

Track 5 “Safe Space.” The citizen is betrayed again. This time they’ve decided not to let it go unanswered.

Track 6 “Burn.” (written by Kevin Lugo) Betrayal has its consequences.

Track 7 “Pain Compliance.” The citizen has come to the decision that the powers that be must and will comply to the will of the people. 

Track 8 “Falling Down.” With nothing left to give, the citizen decides that they have had enough. Violence seems to be the logical solution. 

6. What’s the reception to the record been? 

The record has been extremely well received. We even get love from different genres of heavy music, which came as a little bit of a surprise for me, but I really like the fact that people who aren’t really into hardcore still dig our vibe. 

7. It’s pretty clear hardcore in general is in a better place than it’s been in a long time, especially since the “life support” days of the mid- to late-2010s. Actual NYHC from New York, not just NYHC-influenced bands, appears to be in the midst of a concurrent Renaissance. Do you feel that these are accurate assessments?

I completely agree that we are seeing a bit of a renaissance with hardcore music. I think the power and aggression of hardcore speaks to the social climate we find ourselves in now. 

8. Which individuals would you put on a Mount Rushmore of NYHC vocalists?

Eddie Sutton of Leeway 

Chaka Malik of Burn

Lou Koller of  Sick Of It All

Roger Miret of Agnostic Front 

9. A villain of the ultimate description is descending upon New York, and only a crack team of NYHC bands “with their powers combined” can defeat it. Which band is going to represent each borough? It is entirely up to you if extra power is needed from Long Island, New Jersey, Upstate, and/or Connecticut. 

Great question lol

Bronx - District 9 

Brooklyn - Merauder 

Queens - Sick Of It All 

Staten Island - Enrage 

Upstate - All Out War 

New Jersey - Bulldoze 

Connecticut - Death Threat 

10. What have been the highlights of Xtinguish The Code’s existence so far, and what are some other memorable experiences from your “hardcore life”?

The last time we played Punk Island, the energy was amazing and it looked like we had the entire amount of festival goers at our stage having fun. I would say one of the best things that hardcore has done for me is that it has given me a whole bunch of lifelong friends. 

11. Any last shout-outs, plugs, or last words for the readers?

Please check us out on our Bandcamp and all of our socials. We’d like to give a shout out to Brass Knuckle Brigade, Enziguri, Bulldoze, Hold My Own, Dog Eat Dog, Lake Lenier, Flora and MAAFA, No Weapon, Grey Matter Records, Nerds record store, Punk Island, Earsplit, Mosthighgame, Kevin Lugo, Orlando Furioso, Gassed, Minty Fresh, All of NYHC, Town Square Execution, Secret Bound, With Teeth, Humiliate, and Guess Again.