DISARRAY

We sat down with the band members of 40oz Folklore at Cideshow Rehearsal Studios for a new installment of C² Band Spotlight, where the group opened up about rebuilding the band across multiple cities and eras, balancing music with family life, and crafting a heavier, faster version of 40oz Folklore for a new generation.

Watch the full interview below:

A Punk Band Reborn Across Three Cities

While the current lineup has been together for about a year, 40oz Folklore’s roots stretch back much further. Guitarist and founding member Erikka explained that the band originally formed in Chattanooga, Tennessee around 2008 before evolving through different incarnations in Las Vegas and eventually Los Angeles.

Now joined by guitarist Confessor Barnett, drummer Flynn, guitarist Clinton, and bassist Renzo, the latest version of the band feels like the strongest.

“This is the longest-running L.A. version so far,” the band joked during the interview.

Inspired by Punk Legends But Pushing Forward

40oz Folklore pull heavily from classic hardcore punk and crossover thrash influences. The band cited legendary acts including:

• Chaos UK
• Poison Idea
• Dead Kennedys
• Suicidal Tendencies
• The Accüsed

While the band respects old-school punk foundations, they’re also evolving into something heavier and more aggressive.

“A lot of the newer stuff is going more toward faster aggressive stuff… more Suicidal crossover,” drummer Flynn explained.

The band repeatedly described their sound with words like:

• “Fast.”
• “Aggressive.”
• “Loud.”

Honestly? Accurate.

Balancing Punk Rock With Real Life

One of the strongest parts of the conversation was hearing how the members balance music with adulthood, jobs, relationships, and parenting.

Flynn revealed he stepped away from music for nearly a decade after getting married and becoming a father before eventually returning to the scene.

“Very supportive partner,” he said while talking about his wife and what makes balancing band life possible. “She’s my roadie. She’s my manager.”

Meanwhile, Confessor shared that he’s a full-time single dad of two while also playing in six bands. Dude is a machine.

The band emphasized that coordinating practices, work schedules, shows, and life responsibilities is one of the hardest parts of being in a band.

“It’s like having five girlfriends,” Flynn joked.

The Upcoming EP and a More Aggressive Direction

40oz Folklore are currently working on a new EP that blends older songs with newly written material. The upcoming release will feature six new tracks alongside reworked older songs from previous eras of the band.

One song the group repeatedly highlighted was “State of Confusion,” which Flynn admitted initially terrified him because of how fast and demanding the drum parts became after jokingly playing it more aggressively during rehearsal.

The band says the current material pushes further into heavier crossover territory while still keeping the roots of classic hardcore punk intact.

Growing Beyond Los Angeles

While the band frequently plays local venues including Eagle’s Nest Saloon, they’re now focused on expanding beyond L.A. and reaching new crowds throughout the West Coast.

Upcoming goals include:

• Las Vegas shows
• Portland
• Arizona
• Texas
• Potential overseas opportunities in Japan

The band specifically shouted out an upcoming Las Vegas appearance at the iconic Double Down Saloon on June 6.

Advice for Other Bands: Just Start

When asked what advice they’d give newer bands, the group kept it simple:
“Just do it.”

They stressed the importance of:

• Networking
• Practicing independently
• Supporting local scenes
• Staying humble
• Playing as many shows as possible
• Enjoying the process

“Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one location,” the band explained while encouraging musicians to build relationships across scenes and cities.

Final Thoughts

40oz Folklore feel like the kind of band that thrives on pure punk energy: community, chaos, humor, heavy riffs, and DIY persistence.

They’re not trying to manufacture an image. They’re just showing up, putting in the work, and keeping punk loud while balancing real life outside the stage lights.

And honestly? That authenticity hits harder than any algorithm ever could.

For fans of crossover punk, hardcore, and aggressive old-school energy with a modern bite, 40oz Folklore are absolutely worth keeping an eye on.

Follow the band: Instagram and Bandcamp

Photos by Chris below:

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About C² (Christy + Chris) 

Concert lovers turned creators. Highlighting bands, stories, sounds, and places you need to know.

Disarray Magazine is an independent media platform established in 2009, spotlighting punk, hardcore, alternative culture, live music, food, nightlife, and the chaos in between. Created by journalist Christy Buena, C² exists to document the bands, people, and moments shaping the scene before the rest of the world catches up.

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