Punk’s never been about polish. It’s about passion, sweat, and the grind it takes to keep going when most people quit. East End Redemption carry that spirit like a trophy. Out of the East Coast underground, they’re mixing hard-earned experiences with the urgency of a band that still believes in something. We caught up with the band to talk about their roots, resilience, and what keeps them hungry after all these years in the scene.
East End Redemption doesn’t need to reinvent punk or hardcore. They just remind you why it still hits. Real stories, no gimmicks, no gloss. The kind of band that makes you want to show up early, stay late, and scream the words back until your throat gives out. The underground scene’s heartbeat is still strong, and bands like East End Redemption are the reason it hasn’t flatlined yet.
Scene Point Blank: For readers who might be new to East End Redemption -- what’s the story behind the band name and how did this lineup come together?
Drew Perez: The band name is a fun story. I used to be in a Portland, ME punk band called Don't Hit Your Sister and one of the members, Levi, was from away and still learning the area. We were out driving around one day, and we passed a bottle recycling center called East End Redemption (yes, it's still in business). He laughed and said, "Yes! If I ever have a hardcore band that's what I'm gonna name it!" Fast forward 20+ years and this band was bouncing band names around. I remembered what Levi said and mentioned it to the guys, and they all loved it. So it stuck. But we're working with the other type of redemption. We generally don't accept returnable bottles at shows.
Joe said that a little way into COVID, "I was finding myself with a lot of spare time and really wanting to start playing music with others as it had been 14+ years since I had last done so. I put feelers out on Facebook and Josh and Drew both reached out showing interest. Then we needed a drummer. Westie was known to all of us, and had been a bandmate of Drew's in the distant past. He was a friend of mine, but I totally forgot he could drum. I think he was weary of all of us, but he caved and let us into his little weird empire of music.
Scene Point Blank: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you before?
Drew Perez: Late '90s - early 2000s skatepunk blended with early punk and hardcore infusions. Plus Westie likes the Backstreet Boys, so there's that.
Scene Point Blank: The band's sound to me is a balance between streetwise toughness and real emotional honesty. Is that a conscious blend or just who you are?
Drew Perez: No, we're just old and jaded. We don't have the energy for image projection.
Scene Point Blank: What fuels your songwriting? Anger, nostalgia, hope, frustration, all of the above?
Drew Perez: Being old and jaded and not having any energy for image projection. Josh grew up in the East End of Portland, ME and has seen the city lose its character over the years due to gentrification, which helps fuel the fire.
Scene Point Blank: Do you all write together or does someone usually bring the skeleton of a song to the group?
Drew Perez: All of the above. Josh will frequently bring a nearly completed song to the table and we'll flesh it out together at practice, throwing in individual influences, hooks, pauses, etc. Or sometimes we'll just arbitrarily whip out a riff and build on it from the ground up. It's all fair game and encouraged.
Scene Point Blank: What bands or records shaped your sound early on? And who’s influencing you now?
Drew Perez: For me personally, Bad Religion, AC/DC, Johnny Cash, and Social D will always be a huge force looming over my musical influences, with wacky stuff like They Might Be Giants reminding me that going outside the box is always an option and occasionally preferred. Josh listens to the Descendents and a lot of Ramones-core bands like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Manges, Methodones, etc. Joe loves Avail a lot and Westie is a big Propagandhi fan.
We're just old and jaded. We don't have the energy for image projection.
Scene Point Blank: How is your local scene right now? What’s inspiring about it and what bands should we check out?
Drew Perez: The Maine music scene, to me, still seems to be reeling from the COVID effect. Lots of small venues shut down, and people started staying in and streaming music instead of going and seeing live bands. But the scene is cyclical and resilient, and I expect we'll recover and thrive. For local bands, I positively love The Gubs, Dave Strong, the Keeper Class, Borderlines, and Euphemia.
Scene Point Blank: Punk has always been about connection. What’s one moment whether it's a show, a message from a fan, a tour story that reminded you why you still do this?
Drew Perez: Every fist bump from my bandmates, or high five or hug from someone at a show reminds me why I do it. Every bloody guitar, ringing ear, and heckle from the crowd is a memory and motivation to keep doing this expensive, loud hobby I love so much
Scene Point Blank: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about making music and staying true over the years?
Drew Perez: Music never forgets you and always welcomes you back. I had left the scene for several years following the birth of my son -- I needed to be a present Dad since that was something I really never had growing up. However, joining East End Redemption brought me back in touch with old friends and bandmates I hadn't seen in years, and it's been an absolute joy. But also it's a reminder that sometimes house mics smell really fucking bad.
Scene Point Blank: If East End Redemption had a motto spray-painted on a wall, what would it say?
Drew Perez: "NONPIONEERING".
Scene Point Blank: What’s one underrated band you think everyone reading this should check out?
Drew Perez: Banner Pilot!
Scene Point Blank: What’s next for the band? Touring, new music, world domination?
Drew Perez: World toleration.
