Band: Rights Abuse
From: Binghamton, New York
Their formation story:
(Lu, bass): "Around the fall of last year, I was coming up with ideas for a new project and was listening to a lot of straight edge music at the time, so it only seemed fitting to start a new straight edge band. The political climate was also very challenging at the time, so I wanted our music to carry a strong anti-capitalist message.
"So I reached out to some like-minded friends of mine and got to writing. Jack and Joe came first, then we recruited our buddy Jon, who plays guitar in another local hardcore band, Disruptor, and asked him to front the band. After a few weeks of looking for a straight edge drummer, we found out Liam could play drums, which made the process so much easier."
(Jack, guitar): "The formation of the band started when Lu told me he wanted to start a straight edge band. Straight edge is an important part of all of our lives, so as soon as the idea was brought up to each member individually, we were all in. All of us are good friends, so playing together and writing were natural."
(Jon, vocals): "Lu bullied me into joining the band. I told him, 'You don't have to bully me, I'll gladly join,' but he insisted on bullying me anyway."
Their sound in their own words:
(Lu, bass): "We definitely are HM-2 hardcore punk with hard breakdowns. Our music is mostly fast two-steps and d-beats, while also including the traditional 'Bing style' with hard mosh parts, staying true to our city in that way and setting us apart from the rest. 607 Hardcore for life.
"I would say the EP was influenced by Terror, Scarab, and lyrically, Incendiary. Also, modern straight edge bands like Contention and Inclination."
(Jack, guitar): "HM-2 hardcore punk with hard breakdowns. Harm's Way, Scarab, and Inclination!"
Latest release info:
(Lu, bass): "I feel like once we solidified our members, the music came together quickly. 'xNailedx' was originally a song Jon wrote for his solo project, Cold Frame, but it fit perfectly with what we were doing.
"We all are involved in writing riffs and each of us have contributed equally. For example, I came up with the two-step in 'State of Power' while delivering mail, basically humming it into a voice memo and playing it on guitar once I got home.
"Our newest release was released on my independent label, 11-41 Records, with a roster of some other cool artists like Disruptor, Drawn by Blood, and Justice Deserved."
(Jack, guitar): "Finding our tone took some time, but working together while writing resulted in something we are all happy and proud of. The tracks on the EP are a very good representation of our message.
"Eric Novroski at Novro Studio in Swoyersville recorded the EP, so shout out to him as well."
(Jon, vocals): "Our newest release is very influenced by the current state of the world and political climate that we are currently living in. I know that's a super stereotypical answer for a hardcore band. Also being straight edge and what it means to me personally."
Future plans:
(Lu, bass): "When I'm not booking local shows in our city for other bands to come through, I plan on being on the road with RA. We've got a lot of cool shows lined up locally and across the Northeast this year. We have a cool little run coming up in August with Philly bands God Instinct and In Jest."
(Jack, guitar): "We just want to play as many shows as possible and write new music. We plan on having another EP out in the fall."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
(Jack and Lu): "Harsh Reality, Mind Contorted, Selfish Act, Scorched Mind, Drawn by Blood, Solitary Demise, and Disruptor.
"Also shout out to Wasting Away from Syracuse. Their EP is so good."
Rights Abuse on social media: Instagram
