Youth Brigade is an American hardcore punk band formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1980 by the brothers Mark, Adam, and Shawn Stern. The band subsequently founded the independent punk label, BYO (Better Youth Organization) as well. The band's first year of existence was as a six-piece but played their first gig as a three-piece on New Year's Eve 1981 at Godzilla's nightclub. They were also part of the big BYO extravaganza "Youth Movement '82" at the Hollywood Palladium, where 3,500 people showed up for an all-Los Angeles bill.
In the summer of 1982, after recording three tracks for the first BYO record release Someone Got Their Head Kicked In (compilation), Youth Brigade set out in a big yellow school bus on an ambitious 30-city North American tour with fellow hardcore band Social Distortion. The now classic 1984 film, 'Another State of Mind', chronicled the event.
After about 30 shows and several breakdowns, they returned home to record their debut LP Sound & Fury with the record producer, Thom Wilson. A premature version of the LP had been rushed together before the "Another State of Mind" tour but pressing was stopped at 800 copies, as the band was not satisfied with the quality of the material or production. In 1983, the band returned home and decided to record a second album entitled Sound & Fury, keeping only four tracks from the original. That version is now considered one of the greatest punk records of all time.
Archival record label, Trust Records is pleased to announce they will reissue a standard and deluxe version of Sound & Fury which includes remastered audio from both versions of the original analog tapes by Dave Gardner at Infrasonic. The limited pressing will also include a 65-page hardcover book, debossed with silver foil, featuring never before published photos from photographers Alison Braun, Edward Colver, Glen E. Friedman along with rare flyers, unique memorabilia and artifacts.
Of the release, Youth Brigade and BYO co-founder Shawn Stern shared:
A lot of life has happened in the 40 years since we recorded 'Sound & Fury'. We've traveled all over playing these songs and it's really wonderful to know that people are still interested in our music and that it continues to inspire people. Reissuing the record as a box set is exciting for us and we hope you enjoy listening and reading about the band as we know we couldn't do this without your support!
Youth Brigade has also shared a new official music video for Sound & Fury's hit track "Sink with California." Shawn also shared:
Coming off our very first tour in the fall of 1982 that was documented in the movie 'Another State Of Mind,' where we had some great experiences, I started writing down ideas for the song 'Sink With California'. We traveled all across the U.S. and Canada, met a lot of kids and saw the profound effect that punk rock music and ideals had on small scenes in so many cities. That was the inspiration to write an anti-nationalism song that celebrates the common bonds we have and the belief that working together is the way to change the problems humanity has created. We've still got a long way to go, but I'm honored to see that so many decades later our music is still necessary and relevant.