The B9 Podcast

Boston Hardcore meets East Coast Hip-Hop.

7L (George Andrinopoulos) of the East Coast Hip-Hop supergroup Czarface joins Chris B9 to talk about coming up in Boston in a genre that often runs parallel to Hardcore: Hip-Hop.

Today, he's one-third of Hip-Hop's biggest underground supergroup Czarface, along with rapper Esoteric and MC Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan). He also owns and operates a curated Hip-Hop record store Soundtracks right near B9 in Beverly MA!

Check out 7L's record store right by Bridge Nine Records!
https://share.google/ZIHwFrY0OXDzaKqd1

Listen to Czarface's new record, 'Czarface Meets Frankie Pulitzer'
https://open.spotify.com/album/42dcDultUHOEd4QU4umdq6?si=CWDixR_cTAu09cIgw3CGuA

Host: Chris Wrenn
Producers: Bill Fulkerson, Colby Bradford
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Stephen Brodsky (Cave In, Mutoid Man, and many more) joins Chris to talk about their mutual history in the hardcore scene and the difference between independent and major labels.

Host: Chris Wrenn
Producers: Bill Fulkerson, Colby Bradford
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Who would have guessed that World Series Champion Joe Kelly would be a punk fan? Joe sat down with Chris B9 for a very special episode of the B9 podcast to talk about his time playing for Boston, growing up going to straight edge shows and hanging out at skate parks.

Shop the Joe Kelly Fight Club T-Shirt here: https://www.sullysbrand.com/products/joe-kelly-fight-club-t-shirt-2026

Listen to Joe Kelly's podcast with Sports Journalist Rob Bradford, Baseball Isn't Boring, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-isnt-boring/id1651632213

Grab Joe's hat here: https://bbisntboring.com/products/bib-two-tone-hat

Host: Chris Wrenn
Producers: Bill Fulkerson, Colby Bradford
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

We're joined this week in the first remote B9 episode by Andrew Sacher (Ex-BrooklynVegan, Author) to talk about his book Emo Revival and his history covering everything from Punk to Emo music as a music journalist since 2010.

If you enjoyed this episode, please feel free to leave a review!

His book Emo Revival is out today! You can order it here: https://lauren-records.com/products/andrew-sacher-emo-revival-book

Host: Chris Wrenn
Producers: Bill Fulkerson, Colby Bradford
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Chris B9 is joined by the B9 Podcast's very own producer/director, Bill Fulkerson of OTC Industries. They talk about Bill's DIY ethos, from playing in hardcore bands in the 90s to teaching himself how to create documentaries and films that have been in film festival circuits nationwide.

If you enjoy the episode, please feel free to leave a review!

Host: Chris Wrenn
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Alex Garcia-Rivera (American Nightmare, Shelter, Piebald, and plenty more) comes to the B9 Warehouse to talk with Chris about his journey creating one of the only 100% analog studios in the country right in his house. They also get into all kinds of stories from Alex's journey in the hardcore scene. Don't miss this one.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

If you enjoy the episode, please feel free to leave a review!

Host: Chris Wrenn
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Chris B9 is joined by Converge's Nate Newton to talk about his latest album, Hum Of Hurt, and their combined history in the hardcore scene.

Host: Chris Wrenn
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Audio: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Chris B9 is joined by Bryan Harris (Death Before Dishonor) at the Bridge Nine Warehouse to talk touring stories and the era of Friends Family Forever. Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Host: Chris Wrenn
Filming: Bill Fulkerson
Sound: Bill Fulkerson
Editing: Colby Bradford
Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Chris B9 is joined by longtime friend Jesse Gustafson (more commonly known as Jesse Standhard) to discuss their 35-year history together, from the early 1990s suburban Connecticut hardcore scene to their respective career paths. Jesse reflects on the DIY hustle that defined their youth, detailing how he started a fanzine at 15 and eventually launched Standhard Records to release early demos for friends' bands. He explores the creative drive that keeps him connected to the scene and the unique community-building nature of hardcore that has maintained their friendship for decades.

Jesse also explores:
The DIY "Hacks" of the 90s: How they used "bootlegged" Kinko’s cards to print flyers and zines, and Radio Shack dialers to make free long-distance calls to labels and bands.

Defining Life Experiences: Jesse recounts being arrested at a 1993 Fugazi show (later documented on the band’s live series) and his years roadieing for Blood for Blood while maintaining a straight-edge lifestyle.

The Symbiosis of Career and Community: How his 20-year career in real estate allows him the freedom to be present for his family and coach his kids' teams, a topic he recently chronicled in his book, Fuck Your House.

Filming: Bill Fulkerson

Lighting: Bill Fulkerson

Sound: Bill Fulkerson

Editing: Colby Bradford

Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Taped right before a show at the Bridge Nine Warehouse, Chris B9 is joined by Luke Garro (Piebald, In My Eyes, Fastbreak) to discuss his extensive journey through the hardcore and punk scenes. Garro reflects on his early beginnings in Glastonbury, the supportive nature of the Boston scene, and the organic process behind Piebald's first new record in nearly two decades.

The conversation also covers:

The Power of Showing Up: How Garro's proactive approach—from volunteering to play drums for Fastbreak to witnessing the "fifth member" dedication of modern tour managers—highlights the importance of initiative and community contribution.

The Multigenerational Cycle of Hardcore: Observing the enduring vitality of the scene, where modern teenagers cover foundational bands like SSD and Madball, proving that the energy and passion of the music remains constant across decades.

Organic Songwriting and Modern Recording: The non-linear path to Piebald's latest album, Tales For The Rages, which was pieced together over several years without label deadlines, contrasting with the high-pressure, two-day drum sessions of past recordings.

The Changing Bar of Entry: A look at how the shift from limited vinyl and cassette releases to instant digital distribution has exponentially increased the volume of available music, making it both easier to create and harder to stand out.

Host: Chris B9

Filming: Bill Fulkerson

Lighting: Bill Fulkerson

Sound: Bill Fulkerson

Editing: Colby Bradford

Set Design: Chris Wrenn

Taped right before a B9 warehouse show, Chris B9 is joined by John Coyle (Outspoken) to talk about his long history in the hardcore scene, from his early days with Outspoken to the band's current reunion and re-releases through Equal Vision. He reflects on the enduring relevance of his music and the creative necessity that drove early DIY efforts, such as hand-printing covers and designing shirts to fund recordings.

Coyle also explores:

The Evolution of Record Collecting: How the focus has shifted from the music itself to variant collecting and the unique, often unplanned, charm of limited edition releases born out of necessity.

Hardcore Financial Ingenuity: The history behind the iconic "Straight Edge Isn't Cool Anymore" shirt and how it served as a successful fundraiser to cover recording costs for the band.

Maintaining a Legacy: The importance of keeping foundational records in print to provide a "road map" for new generations, even as the scene evolves with new bands and changing dynamics.

Defining Success over Decades: The humbling realization that music created over 30 years ago still resonates and influences modern artists like Pat Flynn of Have Heart.

About Outspoken:

Formed in the early 1990s, Outspoken remains one of the most influential bands of the Southern California straight edge scene. Their music continues to resonate decades later, bridging the gap between the foundational eras of hardcore and the new bands of today.

Chris B9 is joined by Pat Flynn (Have Heart, Fiddlehead, How Much Art) to talk about his prolific involvement in the hardcore scene, from his time with Have Heart to his current work with Fiddlehead and various "science projects" like Clear and Sweet Jesus. He reflects on the creative drive that keeps him starting new bands, emphasizing that his goal is collaboration and artistic expression rather than mainstream fame.

Flynn also explores:
The Symbiosis of Career and Music: How his long-term career as a teacher provides a balanced schedule for touring and makes performing feel more special.

Hardcore Subculture Dynamics: The importance of a thriving youth population alongside "elders" who provide history and guidance to keep the scene healthy.

Defining Success: Why hardcore continues to challenge mainstream ideas of celebrity by prioritizing organic community, accessibility, and the truest forms of self-expression.