The Legacy of SS Decontrol: A Journey Through Hardcore Music History
Founded in Boston during the summer of 1981, SS Decontrol, also known as Society System Decontrol, made a significant impact on the hardcore music scene. The band’s original lineup included guitarist Al Barile, vocalist David “Springa” Spring, bassist Jamie Sciarappa, and drummer Chris Foley. Despite the fact that Foley was the only member with prior musical experience, the group was determined to make their mark. Draining their finances, they borrowed money from Barile’s parents and managed to record their debut album, The Kids Will Have Their Say, in 1982.
The Breakthrough Album: The Kids Will Have Their Say
Barile founded Xclaim!, a record label, to release their first LP. However, their fortunes changed dramatically when Ian MacKaye, founder of Dischord Records, offered to co-release The Kids Will Have Their Say, making it the first full-length album from outside the D.C. area to be released by this influential label. Within just three months, all 1,900 copies of the album were sold, marking a success in the burgeoning hardcore scene.
Instead of basking in their newfound recognition, SS Decontrol paid back the loan, welcomed a second guitarist, Francois Levesque, and began working on their next project. In 1983, they released the Get It Away EP, noted for its themes revolving around community, anti-smoking messages, and the idea of sobriety as a form of liberation. This EP quickly became a cornerstone of the hardcore genre and is still celebrated today.
Evolution and Disbandment
As musical trends shifted throughout the early to mid-1980s, the band underwent a transformation. They shortened their name to SSD and began to explore a heavier sound with a mix of metal influences and intricate guitar solos. Signing with Modern Method, they released the How We Rock EP in 1984, followed by the album Break It Up in 1985. However, by November of that same year, SSD disbanded, marking the end of an era for the band.
Life After SSD: The Formation of Gage
After the breakup, Al Barile shifted gears and embraced academia, attending Northeastern University where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He continued working at General Electric but remained passionate about music. In 1993, he formed a new alt-rock punk band called Gage, which produced three albums: He Will Come (1994), Scissor (1996), and Silent Movie Type (1998).
Despite his continuous efforts, Barile faced a poignant realization when Gage opened for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and received a lackluster response. "That was kind of a rude awakening: that I was in for a lot of work to get probably one-tenth the popularity of SSD," he reflected in an interview with Former Clarity. For Barile, the shadow of SS Decontrol was both liberating and daunting, as he grappled with the legacy of his earlier work.
Conclusion: An Enduring Influence
The journey of SS Decontrol is a testament to the band’s unique contributions to the hardcore punk genre and its evolution. Even years after disbandment, the influence of SS Decontrol remains palpable within the music community. Their commitment to conveying profound messages through fast-paced, energetic music resonates to this day, with albums like Get It Away continually cited as milestones in hardcore history.
As new generations of musicians draw inspiration from the legacies of bands like SSD, it’s clear that their impact is far from over. For fans wishing to explore their music further, The Kids Will Have Their Say can be found on various streaming platforms. The enduring spirit of bands like SS Decontrol highlights the ever-evolving landscape of music and reminds us of the vital role that passion and community play in artistic expression.
