Meet FaceKicker, a garage-born, punk-bred power trio whose sound punches as hard as their name suggests. With roots in hard rock, punk, metal, and even the occasional country twang, these three lifers have lived through it all — cassette tape trades, basement gigs, and Billy Idol’s bodily fluids. We sat down with T-Bone, John, and J-Bone to talk about their musical firsts, DIY ethos, the legacy of Ozzy, and what happens when otters attack mid-set.
What first pulled you into music? Was there a specific person, moment, or record that steered you toward punk rock — and along the way, did you ever get into other genres like hip hop, R&B, or even country?
T-Bone:
It was really the late ‘60s and early ‘70s heavy rock that got me started at age 10 — Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Hendrix, Cream, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith. Then punk hit me like a truck in the late ’70s — Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, X, Black Flag. DEVO and the B-52s kicked off the New Wave craze, and that mixed me up musically in the best way. I’ve always liked anything with a solid beat, strong guitars, and good melody. I dabbled in jazz, classical guitar, and funk during high school, but rock was always home.
John:
My two older brothers were the gateway. First it was hard rock — AC/DC — then punk: Agent Orange, Dead Kennedys, Husker Du, The Clash. I became the mixtape dealer at school, sharing everything I found. I joined the school band as a drummer in 6th grade. We were terrible, played a cafeteria gig — and I was hooked.
J-Bone:
A couple older guys got me into music early. A friend’s brother sent us Never Mind the Bollocks from Scotland, and we wore it out. I shared Johnny Rotten’s hatred for the Queen — instant connection. I was into Ted Nugent, Kiss, Hendrix, and eventually Neil Young, which convinced my mom to buy me an acoustic. College brought Iron Maiden, Sabbath, and once I moved to the U.S., I dove into Pussy Galore, Sonic Youth, hip hop (NWA, ODB, Biggie), and even country legends like Hank Williams Sr. All those influences are living in my stomach, waiting to burst out like an Alien chest baby.
Do you remember your first concert? Life-changing, blurry, chaotic — or all of the above? And were your parents always supportive of your musical path?
T-Bone:
Ted Nugent at the LA Sports Arena in 1979 — I was 15. Scorpions opened and honestly outplayed Ted. I was terrified we’d be forced to take drugs or something, but nope — just rock! My mom was supportive, even if she preferred Streisand. My dad, on the other hand, hated electric guitar and loved opera and swing.
John:
Age 12. Agent Orange at the New Varsity Theater in Palo Alto. My brothers snuck me in, maybe even gave me some beer. The volume, energy, chaos — it was dangerous and electric. Total life-changer.
J-Bone:
My first show was an AC/DC cover band called High Voltage in a sketchy dive bar when I was 16. I was terrified. But they were amazing, and I’ve been on a Bon Scott-era AC/DC trip ever since. Billy Idol also left a mark — wasted, spitting on the crowd during White Wedding. Punk rock at its finest. My parents were cool with it and even had a list of acoustic covers they liked me to play when I came home.
When did you first start playing music yourself?
T-Bone:
I started at 10 with a little ¾-size acoustic guitar. My parents got me lessons, though my teacher hated rock. It was AM radio and watching Bay City Rollers on TV that lit the fire. I just wanted to be on stage with a guitar.
John:
After that school band gig, I knew I had to play drums. I banged on everything in the house. My brother’s drummer, Nick Krest, taught me the ropes and helped me buy my first drum set — $100 from my paper route savings.
J-Bone:
I was 17. My mom got me a cheap acoustic for graduation, and I went full Neil Young — harmonica brace and all. When I moved to Halifax, I joined a band doing retro covers: The Who, Doors, Stones, Steppenwolf, and of course Neil’s heavier stuff.
What was the first album or single you bought with your own money? What’s your most prized music memorabilia?
T-Bone:
Ted Nugent’s Double Live Gonzo — part of a Columbia House 11-cassettes-for-a-dime deal. I’ve re-bought Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith albums on CD more times than I can count. Most prized? My Dead Kennedys, Hendrix, and X CDs.
John:
I bartered for a copy of Master of Puppets when I was almost 14. It blew my mind — punk aggression with next-level musicianship. Metallica were still underground then, and it felt like a secret weapon.
J-Bone:
First records? Kiss Destroyer and Scream Dream by Nugent. I wore those vinyls out. Most prized memorabilia? A vial of Billy Idol’s saliva. Still smells like booze and coke.
If you had to pick one album that captures the essence of FaceKicker’s sound, what would it be?
T-Bone:
Tough call. It’s a Frankenstein baby of X – Los Angeles, Led Zep IV, Double Live Gonzo, and Aerosmith Rocks. But if I had to choose one? Rocks. Still punches me in the face almost 50 years later.
John:
Suicidal Tendencies’ self-titled debut. It’s still unhinged and perfect.
J-Bone:
Easy: William Shatner’s The Transformed Man. His cover of “Rocket Man” brings tears to my eyes.
In an era of polished, programmed music, what does DIY punk mean to FaceKicker in 2025?
T-Bone:
Everything. We spent 6 months in a garage crafting our sound, recorded everything live, and that’s the vibe we’re keeping. Raw, real, and no filters.
John:
The best records of my youth sounded like trash — but they had soul. DIY is about energy, not perfection. Practice hard, edit less, leave the mistakes in.
J-Bone:
DIY forever. I started on a Tascam 4-track and never looked back. With FaceKicker, we record every practice, dig for gold in the noise, and preserve the magic.
Ozzy Osbourne passed this year — what did he mean to you and FaceKicker’s sound?
T-Bone:
Ozzy was rock ‘n’ roll. Black Sabbath had that dark, heavy, unpolished sound that we love. We even covered Paranoid, which was famously written on the fly. That’s how we work, too — jam, riff, refine. Ozzy was chaos, heart, and hooks.
John:
Check out Sabbath’s 1970 Paris concert. Tight and loose at the same time — Ozzy just losing his mind on stage. That energy is everything.
J-Bone:
War Pigs and biting the head off a bat. Punk rock royalty. And yeah, the bat was real — fight me.
What’s one piece of gear you couldn’t live without?
T-Bone:
Gibson Les Paul + Marshall half stack = sonic face kick. We even have a “no holding back” policy: $20 fine to the band fund for not bringing it.
John:
My 21″ Zildjian Rock Ride cymbal — a gift from my parents when I was 13. Still sounds perfect for FaceKicker.
J-Bone:
My Thunderbird bass. And I’m still trying to get the guys to let me use a Theremin. No dice — just dirty looks.
You’re headlining a show at the San Jose Rose Garden when you’re ambushed by otters wielding maracas and conga drums. What’s your escape plan and battle anthem?
T-Bone:
Easy. We play “ORB” to summon UFO backup. Let the aliens deal with the otters — we’ve got a show to play.
John:
Honestly? I’d ask to join the otter band. I’ll play tambourine if they’ll have me.
J-Bone:
Run to the hills. Literally. And yes, the anthem is “Run to the Hills.” Otters are vicious — I’m not messing around.
What’s next in the FaceKicker master plan? More noise, new records, or concept albums about surfboarding otters?
T-Bone:
We’re writing new stuff now and will be back in the studio before the year’s up. New EP or full-length by early 2026. After that? World domination… if I can get the guys to quit their day jobs.
John:
I just want to keep recording, playing shows with rad bands, and having fun. The rest is gravy.
J-Bone:
Politics. We’re running as a three-headed hellhound. Our platform is fear, noise, and pure volume. You’ve been warned.
From jam sessions in garages to recording raw and live, FaceKicker isn’t chasing polish — they’re chasing that primal spark. With new music on the horizon and a firm belief that punk isn’t dead (it just smells funny), these guys are here to kick faces, blow eardrums, and maybe, just maybe, run for local office. Stay loud, stay weird, and keep your Theremins close — FaceKicker is just getting started. For purchase here on Bandcamp.
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