Racetraitor

Racetraitor shook up the punk and hardcore scenes' consciousness with their radical politics and scorching, uncompromisingly brutal metalcore sound like few bands before or since. They were so on fire with their attitude and music that they managed to grace the covers of both Maximum Rock N' Roll and Heartattack before even having a record out or completing a single national tour.



Racetraitor formed in 1996, emerging from the ashes of the short-lived screamo-political project Hinkely as a grinding, blasting sonic maelstrom heavily influenced by the ideas of the progressive left. Their attitude that "whiteness" is more sociological construct than inherent identity raised many eyebrows in the supposedly "liberal" punk scene. The band also believed that joining with the oppressed in their struggle constituted "treason" to societal injustice. This "treason" caused them to dub themselves "race traitors" -- a term that neo-fascists use in a derogatory sense and one that this band wore as a badge of honor. Vocalist Mani Mostofi, bassist Brent Decker, guitarist Dan Binaei, and drummer Andy Hurley (who replaced original drummer and later second guitarist Karl Hlalvinka early on) brought their engaging, intense, and confrontational performances to small clubs, basements, and do-it-yourself festivals around America.

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