DIY hardcore and making records with Bryan Phillips

On this episode of Hardcore Dropout, I talk with Mike Sugars from Psycho-Frame about their brutal new album Salvation Laughs in the Face of a Grieving Mother. We get into what it means to sign with Sharptone Records, how the band went from a side project to a full-time touring machine, and the deathcore influences that shaped their sound. If you’re into heavy riffs, dark lyrics, and bands leveling up fast, don’t miss this one.

On this episode I sit down with Tyson Evans from Crooked Teeth to talk about growing up on Jimmy Eat World, Green Day, and Blink-182 — and how those bands shaped the songs he writes now. We also discuss bands taking creative leaps and outgrowing their expectations. Tyson breaks down what it’s like writing with Nic Long (Blink 182, MGK) and how hardcore influenced him in ways you wouldn't immediately know just by listening to his music. 

In this episode, I sit down with Keith Barney of Eighteen Visions and Throwdown to dig into his roots in the Orange County hardcore scene. We kick things off with a look back at his first band, Adamantium, before diving deep into the legacy of Until the Ink Runs Out—a defining album in the Eighteen Visions catalog. We talk about the band’s sound, their evolution over the years, and the wild ride of their career. Whether you’re a fan of metallic hardcore or just love hearing how scenes and sounds come together, this one’s packed with stories you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, my friend Michael and I dive into how much we love the new Callous Daoboys album I Don’t Wanna See You in Heaven. We talk about the wild mix of mathcore chaos and catchy pop sensibility, the clever and emotional lyricism, and the themes that really stuck with us. It’s one of the most exciting heavy records we’ve heard in a while, and we had a blast breaking it all down.

We dive into what it’s really like touring as a small band—living off Little Caesars, crashing on floors, and grinding it out city to city. Jay talks about the hustle behind the scenes, the energy of playing live, and shares his love for drummers like Navene Koperweis and Matt Guglielmo. If you’ve ever wondered what life is like on the road for underground bands, this is the episode for you.

In this episode, we sit down with the guitar player from hardcore band The Warriors to trace his unique journey with the band—from first meeting them and producing their landmark album War is Hell, to stepping behind the kit as their drummer, and eventually switching to guitar. We dig into the making of War is Hell 20 years later, his role in shaping the band’s sound across multiple records, and the evolution leading to their newest release Burn Yourself Alive. He shares behind-the-scenes stories, creative shifts, and what it means to carry The Warriors forward today.

MInju is the guitar player and mastermind behind the Southern California metalcore band BLINDWOLF. In this episode we dive deep into 2000's metalcore influence, recording an album with Mike from Crown Magnetar, 6 string guitars, and more.

Cameron Miller is the singer of Orange County metalcore band DUHKHA. He's got an amazing story having grown up during the peak Trustkill Records era when metalcore was beginning to take shape. He lived down the street from iconic venues like Chain Reaction and Showcase Theater, only to become friends and start bands with may of the legends who passed through there.In this episode we talk about those iconic places, DUHKHA's most recent album, his artwork for the album and much more. Enjoy!!

Bryan Phillips plays in a band called All Beat Up from San Diego, CA. He's a punk rock and hardcore lifer. From booking DIY shows, to running a record label, to recording local bands, he is the embodiment of all the things that make us fall in love with hardcore in the first place.

Xavier Rios plays drums in Life Cycles from San Antonio, Texas. They're a crossover thrash band, they absolutely rip and deserve your attention. We talk about his background in music, Pearl vs. Tama, recording an album in a living room, drummers like Matt Greiner, Joey Jordison, and Lars Ulrich. Enjoy!