SIDE OVER - Honoring Roots, Returning Strong ! (Usa - 90's Melodic Hardcore - Interview with Lou).

Hello! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music?  
I grew up around music, and discovered punk and hardcore through skating and Thrasher Magazine. In 1990, In 11th grade, I played in a shitty metal band and saw First Things First (youth-crew-style HxC). They were unhinged, wild, and fresh. I visualized myself in their band for about three weeks, learned their demo tape, and they asked me to join. They took me in, drove me to shows in NYC and City Gardens, things that kids simply weren’t doing in our area. I think a lot of us found that excitement and identity and held onto it. Bands were incredibly down-to-earth and took the time to have conversations with kids.

Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band? 
Aaron, Brian (RIP), Neil (RIP) and Nate already had Side Over going since ‘89. We met them through the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shows.  They were everyone’s favorite band at the time. They needed another guitarist, and I was available. Things took off in ‘93 when John Dudeck (RIP) from Very Distribution released our demo and helped book us beyond our region. We played some really wild shows and festivals, then we just stopped for a multitude of reasons, most of which were stupid. Meanwhile, we saw young bands morph into massive headliners as they put in the work for so many years. 
We all went on to start other bands, families, businesses, life things. Almost everyone still kept in touch. In the blink of an eye, it’s 30 years later, and we got the crushing news that Neil had died. We had already lost Brian and Chris, and it was clear that if we didn’t reunite now, we never would. Aaron & I recruited James and Kevin for a one-off benefit show and were so excited that we decided to keep it going. James was close with Brian from working together and playing in other bands, and the spirit was connected. We recorded “Loves You” with that lineup. Now we have Phil on drums. He’s a ripper and also intertwined with the band's history from the earliest days.

Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?  
Melodic hardcore punk served raw. For fans of Forced Down, Vision, Uniform Choice, Verbal Assault, any of the Art Monk bands, etc.  We enjoy what we do and play because we need to. We were never a “big” band, there’s nothing to cash in on, no glory days to relive, no expectations. We’re picking up where we left off, with a better work ethic and a bit more life experience.

About your latest release ? 
In the winter between 2025 and 2026, we re-recorded our original demos and added a new one. “Scars” is created from riffs I found on a practice tape from 1994, jamming with Brian (RIP). We stayed true to the original demos, and added a long, pensive bridge in “Unchained” to reflect on our bandmates who have passed. 
I share studio space in Delaware Water Gap, PA with Don from Mixolydian. We tracked the initial foundation live. I doubled my guitar tracks, tracked Aaron’s vocals, and did some editing in my studio, Customer Service. Don mixed and mastered.
Side Over - Loves You comes out on June 12, 2026 .You can order directly from us and support your favorite local record store and ask for it there.

Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics ?  
The songs on this album are influenced by what we were weaned on: Gorilla Biscuits, Sick of it All, Shelter, all bands we were lucky enough to play with early on. Aaron also loves Robert Hunter, Grateful Dead, Ozzy, and all of the old posi-core bands. Naturally, his lyrics are self-reflections, definitely introspective, yearning, and positive. It doesn’t always have to be angry and crushing. There’s a place for all of it within the scope of hardcore, but that’s something that attracted me to Side Over in the first place. The message is of acceptance, of oneself and others.

Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
We’re currently living it, for real.

Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ? 
Oh, this is one and the same, Life of Agony at the Lake Ariel Pancake House! Our friend booked us in a weird restaurant basement. To my memory, during their set, their one bandmate (not Keith) yelled something like “tear this muthafuckah down!” The crowd took it literally. It was a tiny room, and you could touch the ceiling with your hands. Aaron jumps up and starts yelling, “DON’T! Don’t Do it!” Too late, kids started yanking ceiling tiles, hanging from the support structure, and just ripped half of it down. Definitely one of the most idiotic scenes we’ve witnessed, although that show was super fun too. Dan Engvaldsen had booked it and was stuck cleaning and repairing everything. 

Next live-appearance(s) ?
June 12 - Gallery of Sound - Wilkes Barre,  PA - All Ages Release Show
June 27 - The Bog - Scranton, PA - Release Party
July 25 - Hardcore For Husvar II 

Future plans ? 
We’re working on a new full-length, plenty more to come. 

Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ? 
Scranton / Wilkes-Barre! In the early days we had Joe from Gallery of Sound, Callahan, Pawloski (RIP), bringing in touring bands. Later, Carl G, Bob Mac, Eddie and Hudack (both from An Albatross) carried that torch. Shout out to Steve Option, Burial Ground, and Strength For a Reason who are still going strong. Shout out to Martini, A Constant Murder, Joystick Fury, Put To Pain, Suffer The Ghost, Duel, and Skives. Props to the Turmoil and Earth Crisis guys, and shout out to Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, who pinned the NEPA map along with Tigers Jaw, Menzingers, Title Fight, and Cold World. The old heads are mighty proud.

Last word is yours.. 
Thanks for having us on Rough Times!  We’re grateful to be playing in this band again and appreciate the support and opportunities since getting back together. It was for tragic reasons, and we decided to create positive experiences from it. 

Credits : 
Band & live photos : Eugene Lucas.