The Barbarians of California, featuring members of AWOLNATION + Tinfed, return with video for new rager “Modern Fashion”

The West Coast’s contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians Of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. Featuring Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION and Eric Stenman of Tinfed, as well as being a noted producer, TBOC are equal opportunity iconoclasts, gleefully thrashing the left and the right in the hardcore-punk tradition of nonconformity and raw fury. The band isn’t “political,” because they aren’t advocating for anyone’s platform. The central message is defiance.

Today, The Barbarians of California return with the video for the brand new single “MODERN FASHION.”

Hopefully, ‘Modern Fashion’ can become a metaphor for whatever you feel like wearing and for whatever music you feel like listening to…never having to explain yourself.

Aaron Bruno

How many easter eggs can you spot?

The track is built on noisy, choppy riffs that land like electric shocks to your spine. It’s gnarly post-hardcore at its absolute finest. 

The band’s debut album “And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth” arrived last year. Get it here.

TBOC will spend the rest of August and September on tour with Deftones. All upcoming TBOC dates are below, including an appearance at RiotFest. 

THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA ON TOUR:
WITH DEFTONES:
8/22 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
8/24 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
8/25 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
8/27 — Winnipeg, MG — Canada Life Centre
8/29 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
8/30 — Milwaukee, WI — Fiserv Forum 
9/1 — Buffalo, NY — KeyBank Center 
9/7 — Quebec, QC — Videotron Centre
9/8 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre 
9/10 — Cleveland, OH — Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 
9/11 — Baltimore, MD — CFG Bank Arena
9/13 — Saint Louis, MO — Enterprise Center
9/15 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
9/17 — Kansas City, MO — T-Mobile Center
9/19 — Chicago, IL — Riot Fest*
1/25-1/31 — Shiprocked 2026 

ABOUT THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA:
So, who, exactly, are The Barbarians of California? Here’s a refresher. 
 
Eric Stenman and Aaron Bruno first collided in the California hardcore scene of the early ’90s. Stenman cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Death Grips, and Trash Talk. Bruno was born and raised just north of L.A. and nicknamed “AWOL” by his high school friends.  Eric played guitar for cutting-edge, electro-infused rockers Tinfed. Commercial success eluded them despite a cult following, a deal with a major label, and an appearance on the M:I 2 soundtrack.  Bruno co-founded the hardcore band Insurgence as a teenager. His next band, Home Town Hero, toured with Weezer and Stone Temple Pilots and released a major label album, but combusted in 2004. Next came Under The Influence Of Giants, who, despite critical acclaim, disbanded in 2008. Stenman became one of the most sought-after producers of alternative rock. His discography as a producer, mixer, and engineer includes important releases from 7 Seconds, Senses Fail, ††† (Crosses), and AWOLNATION. AWOLNATION, of course, is the multi-platinum act Bruno formed in 2009. 
 
The spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians were born.  The apparent “full circle” moment isn’t lost on either of them.

It’s a funny time in our lives to go back and make the most aggressive music we’ve ever created. Both of us have always had a love for this world. If given the opportunity, why not try to give back to it?

Eric Stenman