Agnostic Front: Dressing peace in punk since 1980

Sonically speaking, Agnostic Front is one of the most brutal hardcore punk bands in the world. But there's sincerity to Roger Miret's voice when he talks about the unity his longtime band represents.

"We always come in peace," he said. "We always come to play for people and not against people."

Those who see hardcore as synonymous with fighting and criminal activity may hear some dissonance in that message. But not Miret, who see's the group's music as a voice for "those who are oppressed."

He sees the band formed by guitarist Vinnie Stigma in 1980 as "a place for release."

In essence, they've been a unifying force in an otherwise cruel world of hardcore punk, especially in the mid-'80s, as they began to cross over into thrash.

Even then, Miret said, the thrashers used their combative music to bring together the disenfranchised youth of America, and, through the lyrics, teach hardcore punk rockers and thrash metal heads not to "fight amongst each other."

"To tell you the truth, I didn't go to high school," said Miret, 42, who joined the band in 1983 at age 16. "I don't have any of that stuff - you know - college or any of that stuff.

"I've got world experience. I've got street smarts. I've got different things than other people have. I wouldn't change it for nothing.

"You know what my diploma is? It's a record called ‘Victim in Pain.' That record says a lot. You could write a college paper about that record. That record is history. It's a lifestyle. It's an experience ... that you have to live."

In 1984, at a time when it clearly wasn't safe to be part of the hardcore scene, Agnostic Front released what has since been characterized as the seminal album of the New York hardcore scene in much the same way Bad Brains represented the scene in Washington, D.C.

It was a time and a place that can never be re-created.

Looking back, Miret is thankful to have survived not only professionally, but also personally. That relief, however, is tempered by the loss of so many of their friends and comrades - most of whom fell victim to a life of criminal activity.

Agnostic Front recorded 16 albums - the last of which, "Warriors," was released in 2007.

Although they briefly parted ways from 1992 until '97, the band - joining the two longtime members are Joe James, Mike Gallo and Steve Gallo - continues touring regularly throughout the world.

They've divided the country into four regions - Wednesday they are slated to perform in Colorado Springs at The Black Sheep - and have been touring in two-week increments in order to spend time with their families.

"It's great to look back and feel where I am today and who I am today," said Miret, who moved to Phoenix two years ago with his wife. The couple have an 18-month-old daughter and are expecting a son in the spring. "I'm a family man."

"It's great to know I came through all this and I lived amongst criminals," continued Miret, who said the band is planning "something special" in celebration of the 25 anniversary of "Victim in Pain."

"I think the secret to our legacy and our longevity is the fact that we are very passionate about what we do," he said. "You don't find a lot of that with hardcore bands."

DETAILS
Agnostic Front with First Blood, Before We're Dead and Bankrobber

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Black Sheep; 2106 E. Platte Ave.
Tickets: $13 advance through www.ticketweb.com or 1-866-468-7621; $15 day of show