Hailing from Central California’s thriving hardcore scene of Tehachapi, B.D.R. is a band formed in 2025 pairing hardcore legend Andy Franchere of Diehard Youth with members of Step by Step, Out of Line, and Andy’s own son, Brody. Three generations of hardcore committed to carrying the torch forward and maintaining Central California’s hardcore scene as a force to be reckoned with.
With a brand new, three song EP, Dead Soul Disorder, released in November, 2025 on Iron Mind Collective, in addition to their first release, Post Traumatic Stress Demo, B.D.R. is a modern spin on 2000s hardcore, with influences ranging from California icons like Carry on and In Control to Philadelphia legends Blacklisted. B.D.R. is fast, in your face hardcore made for the mosh with deep lyrics that speak to Franchere’s own experiences as a veteran firefighter and the weight of coping with life and death every day.
Along with their 2025 releases BDR is already hard at work on new music for 2026 and will be playing a show near YOU soon! Post Traumatic Stress Demo and Dead Soul Disorder are both streaming now on all platforms and check out their bandcamp site for music and merch and their instagram for upcoming show and tour announcements! All hail Tehachapi Hardcore.
Photos by: Matt TxF – IG: ironyuppie and Kevin Talley – IG: runaways_media
Where are you from and who’s in the band?
We are a Tehachapi hardcore band – Tehachapi is in Central California. The band is myself, my 20 year old kid Brody on guitar, Jaren on Drums, Jerry on guitar, and Tyler on bass. They all [also] play in the bands Out of Line and Step by Step.
Can you describe your sound in one or two sentences?
Roots hardcore with a modern twist. Three generations of Tehachapi Hardcore gangsterdom! Haaaaaa!
What do you hope listeners will come away with after their first time hearing your music or seeing you play?
Live, I hope people engage and interact – get out some of the frustrations and anger. Or at least laugh at me trying to get it out. Listening, I hope people vibe with the music and get psyched to wanna mosh and circle pit at a show. Lyrically, the topics are about how I deal with 30 years of being a firefighter and the trauma I’ve been exposed to and am just now figuring out how to deal with. I hope kids will know they are not alone in their struggle and there is a way through it.
What are three artists or bands that influence your sound or the way you write and perform music?
I’d like to perform like Timmy No Justice but trying to replicate that always falls flat. For me, Carry On, Blacklisted, In Control, and Striking Distance are big influences. I know that’s four, but when it’s the homies it’s hard to narrow it down.
After you play a show, what is one place everyone in the band can agree to go eat?
In Tehachapi we eat at TK Pizza. It rules. Out of town we try to hit up a tasty burrito spot.
What is the origin story of your band name?
The name comes from my favorite sci-fi book. I use some of the imagery as metaphors in the lyrics. It’s nerdy but it’s the only way I feel comfortable yelling about certain things. I’m sure some day we will drop the full name but it’s a fun talking point for now.
Is there a particular city, country, or specific venue you’re dying to play?
Weirdly, we have not played Oxnard or the 805 yet. It’s one of the best scenes I’ve ever played. We [also] would like to hit Europe with this band, maybe Japan.
On long drives between shows, what’s one band or artist that everyone can agree to listen to in the van?
Depends who is driving. It varies from Blink 182, Figure Four, or The Movielife. If I’m driving it’s the Scarab LP on repeat and we go fast. But, I think High Vis is one we can all agree on for a mellow drive.
If you could put together the ultimate show bill with you and four other bands/artists, from any time period or genre, who would you choose?
I think Side By Side, Striking Distance, Terror (with Todd on guitar), and Step by Step. A little something from every era.
What’s going on right now and what’s coming up next?
We just put out Dead Soul Disorder EP online. We needed a few more songs out so our set can be longer than 8 minutes. We are writing and hoping to put out a record in 2026 as well as booking shows, going to shows, trying to stage dive, and have Matt get a photo that makes the cover of TxF zine.
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