The HIRS Collective (US) + Kampsport

RIYL: grindcore, LGBTQIA+ rights, Limp Wrist, queercore, Cloud Rat, Dazey and the Scouts, GRLwood, Garbage, Screaming Females, My Chemical Romance.

The HIRS Collective exist to fight for, defend, and celebrate the survival of trans, queer, poc, black, women and any and all other folks who have to constantly face violence, marginalization, and oppression. They are a collective of freaks and fggts that will never stop existing. Infinite and never ending. No one is going to kill us, we are going to live forever. (keep intact but needs to be censored for ads)

The HIRS Collective thrives on de-individualization as both strength and defiance, embracing the anarchist mantra, “No Gods. No cops. No masters,” as a bold statement against the superficiality of capitalist culture. Grounded in radical, community-centered values from leftist punk rock, HIRS sees their collective identity as a means to keep those values authentic despite their widespread misuse. To them, these ideas – community, acceptance, and radicalism – have been softened by overuse, and they’re committed to preserving their original impact.

Since releasing their 100-song albums and collaborative projects, the Collective has embraced radical inclusivity and expansive collaboration. Their 2020 album, Friends. Lovers. Favorites., set the stage for their newest release, We’re Still Here. This album features over 35 musicians across 17 tracks, celebrating a true sense of community where each contributor becomes part of the Collective’s mission. In their words: “Once you work with the Collective, you are the Collective.”

Despite a fierce “spite-driven” approach, the HIRS Collective’s ultimate goals are joyous and communal: “We’re here to tour with friends, have wild experiences, and build a real community with everyone who enters our world.” The album, fully self-produced and managed, is released through their own label, Get Better Records, reflecting their commitment to autonomy and radical self-expression.

We’re Still Here isn’t just an album; it’s a statement of defiance, resilience, and solidarity, marking another chapter in HIRS’ journey to inspire and empower. “We may not dismantle every oppressive structure, but we can dismantle them within ourselves,” they say. For the HIRS Collective, this is a call to action – a challenge to anyone who wants to create something meaningful outside of traditional power structures. They stand as an evolving force, inspiring a new generation of musicians around the world.

https://hirs.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/hirs666