By Carlos Ramirez |
|

5.29.2026


Photo: Kevin Talley

Bakersfield hardcore has quietly been building serious momentum lately, and Out of Line feel like the latest example of a scene full of longtime lifers refusing to slow down.

Featuring members of Step By Step, BDR, and several other Central California bands, Out of Line came together naturally after years of friendships, shared bands, and time spent within the Bakersfield scene. Vocalist Nathan Habberfield explains that most of the band has been playing music together in some form since high school.

“Tyler and I were talking about wanting to start a band again after not being in one for a few years,” he tells No Echo. “We always wanted to hook back up with Jerry and Jaren, but they were in another active band, so we didn’t want to bug them. Then they left that band and hit us up about starting another project. Of course, we said yes.” The lineup eventually rounded out with bassist Hayden Bishop, another longtime fixture within the local scene. “It all came together naturally,” Bowden says.

That chemistry shows throughout Rec Center, the band’s brand-new album, which took nearly two years to complete. According to guitarist Tyler Brown, the extended timeline allowed the band to experiment heavily in the studio while figuring out exactly what Out of Line should sound like. “We spent a lot of time experimenting in the studio,” he says. “Some of it worked, some of it didn’t, but it got us where we needed to be.”

Out of Line – Rec Center by find a way records

Recorded at Snow Studios by Out of Line guitarist Jerry Snow and drummer Jaren Sanchez, the release was mixed and mastered by Will Hirst. The resulting seven songs draw on a wide range of influences without locking themselves into a narrow hardcore style. “The best part about this band is that it’s five dudes with five completely different musical tastes,” Brown explains. “We’re all involved in the writing, so when we get together, there are no egos. We just try to write songs we actually like and hope other people do too.”

That openness has helped shape a sound that moves comfortably between melodic moments, heavier grooves, and a straightforward hardcore style. “There’s a little something for everyone,” Brown says. “We all found hardcore for different reasons, but we ended up in the same place, and that’s pretty rad.”


Photo: Kevin Talley

Lyrically, Rec Center explores staying grounded as one navigates adulthood and everything that comes with it. “The vibe is about trying to stay positive while dealing with a lot of shit that isn’t positive,” Brown says, citing mental health struggles, family trauma, politics, and everyday responsibilities as major themes throughout the release.

At the same time, Brown says the spirit within the Bakersfield hardcore community feels stronger than it has in years, especially with younger bands beginning to emerge. “The scene’s in a really good spot right now,” he says. “We’ve seen plenty of ups and downs over the years, so we’re just stoked to still be doing this.”

He also shouted out Tehachapi Hardcore, BDR, Step By Step, Stay Down, Earth Expired, Parasite Caste, If It Kills You, Andy Diehard, and The Warriors for continuing to help strengthen the region’s scene.

After more than two decades of playing in bands, Brown says one of the coolest parts now is watching younger kids experience hardcore for the first time.

“They’re experiencing some of the best times of their lives,” he says. “But they don’t know it yet.”

***

Rec Center is available now via Find a Way Records.

Out of Line on social media: Instagram

Tagged: out of line

About the Author

Carlos Ramirez

Owner of No Echo, Carlos Ramirez has played in the bands Black Army Jacket, Hope Collapse, and Deny the Cross. Born and raised in Queens, NY, Carlos resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two kids.