Strife

by Greg PratoCalifornia has birthed countless hardcore bands -- it appears as though every few years, there's a band that leads a new charge. And during the early to mid ‘90s, that band was Strife. Comprised of members Rick Rodney (vocals), Andrew Kline (guitar), Chad Peterson (bass), and Aaron Rosi (drums), the quartet originally formed during 1991, in their home base of Los Angeles, California. Signing on with Caroline Records, Strife issued their debut album, One Truth, in 1994, before signing on with one of the country's leading hardcore labels, Victory. 1996 saw the release of a seven inch single, "Grey," as well as a home video, One Truth Live, which documented what it was like to a touring hardcore band in the ‘90s (warts and all). A year later, Strife issued their sophomore effort, In This Defiance, a recording on which the quartet attempted to broaden their sound, as it featured guest spots from members of such acclaimed non-hardcore acts as Fear Factory, Sepultura, and the Deftones. But just when it seemed things were gong good for the band, Strife announced their disbandment in early 1998. Sporadic reunion concerts followed (as well as a collection of odds and ends, 1999's Truth Through Defiance, and almost exactly two years later, Strife decided to reform. In 2001, Strife issued their third studio album, Angermeans, which was followed up by their first major tour in nearly four years.