AWOLNATION'S Aaron Bruno On The Barbarians Of California's New LP & More - "Paltrocast" Exclusive

Photo byThe Barbarians Of California

Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman are the co-founders of the new band The Barbarians Of California, a duo long inspired by the West Coast's contributions to hardcore punk. Yet Bruno and Stenman are also the masterminds behind huge projects you may otherwise know and love. Bruno is the creator of the Diamond-certified act AWOLNATION, while Stenman is a renowned producer -- credits include Dashboard Confessional, Deftones, Senses Fail, ††† and the aforementioned AWOLNATION -- and the bassist of alt-rock group Tinfed and also works as a producer for some pretty high profile acts.

Together for The Barbarians Of California, Bruno and Stenman have crafted a full-length album -- titled And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth, as set for release tomorrow, October 4, 2024 -- with the spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis of metallic hardcore in mind. Altgether, they have arguably crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities. Prior to the release of And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth, the band had released four hellacious singles: "Bazooka," “Far Out, Bro” (Featuring Daryl Taberski of Snapcase), "Dopamine Prophecy" and "Where Are The Punks?!?!."

In October 2024, I had the pleasure -- and I do mean "the pleasure" -- of speaking with Aaron Bruno via Zoom, as embedded above and set to air via the Long Beach, New York-based Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz television series. Beyond The Barbarians Of California, we talked about Bruno's future plans with AWOLNATION, his upcoming podcast, family life and Los Angeles.