Over the past year, Southern California hardcore outfit Hatespeech quietly leveled up. After a stretch that included roughly thirty shows, their first out-of-state gigs, and even a run across the border into Tijuana, the band emerged more connected, more confident, and more rooted in the community they’ve been steadily helping to build.
“It feels like it’s been a while since we last spoke,” guitarist David Dabiri says. “Last year, we played around thirty shows—including our first out-of-state gigs and our first time playing outside the country in Tijuana. We connected with bands we’d never played with before and made a lot of new friends.” That momentum paused briefly in August for two big reasons: the birth of Dabiri’s daughter and the final push to finish Hatespeech’s debut LP, Orange County. “Now we’re back playing live and hope to do more runs and hit some new cities this year.”
That album became a defining moment for the band—not just sonically, but philosophically. Recorded, mixed, and mastered with Matt Tyler at Captain Falc Studios, it marks a clear step forward in songwriting and intent. “It was really cool to watch this album come together the way it did,” Dabiri explains. “We wanted to use this opportunity to feature guest spots and give exposure to bands we’ve grown close with, pulling friends from all over California to add their own layer.” Instead of chasing a specific sound, Hatespeech focused on authenticity: “Not necessarily trying to emulate anyone—just being ourselves and letting our influences shine.”
That mindset also shapes how the band operates within the scene. Hatespeech’s growth didn’t come quickly or easily. “It took a long time for us to get any shows at all,” Dabiri admits. “But by going to shows, talking to people, and supporting other artists, we’ve been able to make connections and do a lot of cool stuff this past year.” For Dabiri, hardcore is inseparable from community: “I always introduce people from different areas at shows so they can start building their own connections—and hopefully create more opportunities for everyone.”
Balancing DIY ethics with adult responsibilities is part of the reality. “As a DIY band, half of us have kids, everyone has full-time jobs and different work schedules, and we play in other bands. It makes it tough to get out to shows as often,” he says. “So we do our best to support however we can—sharing flyers, hanging them around town, whatever it takes.”
Asked about bands worth checking out, Dabiri rattles off a list that shows how deep the current scene runs: Jack-Knife, ’92, Hyper Vigilant, Bathala, Full Clip, Bronca, XZNZO, Far Below, Tormenta, Hardest Truth, Bound 2 Violence, Centerpoint, Kindergarten Fight Club, Pain Spiral, All Eyez, and more. He also shouts out booking collectives like Vigilant Booking, South Bay Hardcore, and New Lords Booking, as well as newer bands on the rise: Returned, XrecoilX, Paramount, Worst Enemy, and Feel Free.
Ultimately, Dabiri’s message is less about Hatespeech specifically and more about hardcore as a living, breathing culture. “Keep your voices loud, keep doing benefit shows, keep the actual spirit of hardcore and what this shit means alive,” he says. “Don’t just say you’re building community, but actually do that shit. Support and encourage younger bands, don’t think you’re too cool for school. We’re all in this shit together, whether it’s understood or not.”
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Hatespeech on social media: Instagram
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