Hailing from Orange County, California, up-and-comers DARE specialize in an intense sound that is as deliciously fierce as it is infectious. Within the first few seconds of their debut album for Revelation Records, Against All Odds (due out on August 20th), it’s clear that DARE will continue the region’s reputation as a breeding ground for superb hardcore punk.
Today, the group has revealed the second single from Against All Odds — titled “Hard To Cope,” this deeply introspective and personal track touches on the struggles humankind can face when life becomes too much to handle. The song fittingly features guest vocals from Scott Vogel (Terror, World Be Free) who comments, “DARE is my favorite band in hardcore right now.” He continues, “…straight edge hardcore from Orange County done to perfection.”
No overview of DARE would be complete without mentioning their mutual love for skate culture. “Everyone in DARE skates, and it’s our thing on tour,” Angel says. “Every new city we are in, the first thing we always do is look up the nearest skatepark. Anaiah [Lei, drums] is sponsored by Heroin Skateboards, and I’ve been skating my whole life and got completely submerged into hardcore from working at Programme Skate & Sound in Fullerton.”
With Against All Odds finally hitting stores, there’s no question Garcia — alongside Aaron McQueen (bass) and Anaiah Lei (drums) as DARE— are comfortable in their skin. “We’re not afraid to sound a little out there and do our own thing, and we never have been. We represent the Straight Edge and all the people of color out there. Everything this band is would be nothing without our friends and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
DARE will be on tour this September with Terror — tour dates can be found below. Pre-orders are available for Against All Odds here. Revisit their music video for “A Different Method” here, and look for more news from DARE soon.
Against All Odds, track listing:
1. OC Slam
2. V.O.T.
3. Never Yours
5. Synthetic Love
6. Neglect
7. Dare2be
8. Better Off
9. Hard to Cope
10. All I See…
11. Fed Up
DARE, live:
September 6 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge *
September 7 Henderson, NV @ Eagle Aerie Hall *
September 8 Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room *
September 9 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction *
September 10 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar *
September 11 Santa Cruz, CA @ Vets Hall *
September 12 Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver *
September 14 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court *
September 15 Denver, CO @ Globe Hall *
September 17 Dallas, TX @ Three Links *
September 18 San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Underground *
September 19 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group *
September 20 Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room *
September 21 Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street *
September 22 Memphis, TN @ Growlers *
September 23 Nashville, TN @ Studio 615 ^
- w/ Terror, Drain, One Step Closer
^ w/ Terror, Comeback Kid, Love Is Red, Misery Signals, Drain + more
DARE is:
Aaron McQueen – Bass
Angel Garcia – Vocals
Anaiah Lei – Drums