With a brutally addictive assault of rhythmic precision, gorgeous speed-freak riffs and iron-lunged vocals that rank among the very best hardcore has ever seen, The Bronx have become de facto narrators of life in Los Angeles- they are a product of the city, and the imprint is a key component of their sound. And while their unique blend of punk and hardcore has earned them a cult following, the band’s still pushing boundaries, to say the least. They just finished recording two albums- that’s right, two. And one of ‘em is a mariachi record. They also kicked Def Jam / Island to the curb, and are putting the albums out themselves on their own label, White Drugs.

Yesterday, we started talking to guitarist / songwriter Joby Ford, about why emo music is for sissies, Josh Homme’s recently publicized / YouTubed outburst, and the spectacle that is Jeffree Star. Our conversation continues today, digging into deeper topics such as authenticity, and why there’s no point in being on a record label anymore.

There’s a few bands out there that transcend the who’s-the-best argument- they simply fucking rock your shit. It’s not up for debate. Los Angeles punk / hardcore juggernaut The Bronx are on that shortlist with a bullet, establishing themselves as powerplayers in no time by doing things their own way from the word ‘Go.’ A&R guys were already swarming after the band’s first two shows in 2002, and they signed to Def Jam / Island shortly thereafter. They put out a record (The Bronx) and toured the world for two solid years, and what started out as a shining gem of 80s punk-rooted potential returned from the marathon of shows as a finely-tuned rock machine. The evidence is clear on their second album (also self-titled), with an exponentially increased sense of dynamics and texture added to their stomping thrash rock sound.

Joby Ford: To me, strapping on a guitar and rockin’ the fuck out… It’s this thing, this feeling of empowerment. I can’t imagine someone strapping on a guitar, and [whiny emo music is] what comes out. You know what I’m saying? Like at what point in these kids lives did they say “Dude, that rocks so much. That’s what I want to do.” I mean, the first concert I ever went to was AC/DC, and I was like Wow, man, fuck yeah! It was exciting rock n’ roll, and I just think to myself, like… these kids go to these shows and they see some pussy crying over fuckin’ spilled milk or something, and they’re like “Yeah! I wanna do that!” It’s like… no, man. You’re missing the point.