In this episode, we explore the history and impact of Soulside, the influential late-80s DC post-hardcore band whose music bridged the energy of the original hardcore scene with the more groove-driven, politically minded sound that would define the next decade. Formed in 1986, Soulside crafted a bold and evolving style heard on records like Trigger and Hot Bodi-Gram, and became one of the most internationally recognized bands of the DC underground through extensive U.S. and European touring.

Emerging from the same community that produced Rites of Spring, Scream, and Fire Party, Soulside brought together Bobby Sullivan, Scott McCloud, Johnny Temple, and Alexis Fleisig at an explosive moment in the scene’s evolution. Following Soulside’s breakup, McCloud, Temple, and Fleisig teamed up with Eli Janney and Brendan Canty to form Girls Against Boys, a project that evolved into one of the defining post-hardcore bands of the 1990s.

In this conversation, we’re joined by Johnny Temple, bassist of both Soulside and Girls Against Boys, and the publisher behind Brooklyn-based Akashic Books. We talk about the late-80s DC punk landscape, Soulside’s musical progression, the band’s European tours, and the transition into GVSB’s dual-bass, groove-heavy sound. Johnny also shares insights into the creative and cultural shifts happening in the scene at the time, and how the same DIY principles that shaped DC punk informed his later work in independent publishing.

Go Further:

Bandcamp - Soulside

Wikipedia – Soulside

Akashic Books – Website

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Social media: @dcrockpod

Email: dcrockpod@gmail.com

Hosts:

Philip Basnight – Broke Royals

Alex Vidales – Pilot Waves

Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight