R.A. is a straightforward, no-frills hardcore band from Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts. They formed in the summer of 2011 and released a demo on Arrest Records, followed by The Awakening EP and a split 12″ with Death Threat, both on local hardcore label Triple B Records. These releases were all well-received, each one even more than its predecessor, which led R.A. to tour extensively around hardcore circles in the US and Canada and to attract the attention of Bridge Nine Records. Now, the band is excited to call Bridge Nine their new home and even more excited to be releasing their first proper full-length album on the label this summer.
R.A. vocalist Josh Hynes commented, “I was first introduced to Bridge Nine as a kid, right when the label started in the late 90’s, and remember picking up the Proclamation 7″ and being hooked right away. It was awesome being able to see the label grow from an underdog label into what it has become today. Throughout the past sixteen years, B9 has put out some of my favorite releases so it is a real humbling experience signing to a label that I was brought up on. As with most labels, it has grown and branched out, but still remains very much a part of the hardcore scene which it was founded on and we as a band couldn’t be happier being here.”
R.A. just finished recording their debut full-length Collateral Damage with Dean 
Baltulonis at The Wild Arctic in Portsmouth, NH (Agnostic Front, Modern Life Is War, Sick of It All). These ten songs have brutally honest lyrics that cover a wide range of topics and harsh truths with no holds barred. Musically, these songs are equally as punishing as R.A. puts an updated spin on heavy hitting CT and NY-style hardcore. More information will be coming soon on R.A.’s new LP for Bridge Nine – in the meantime, keep up with the band on Facebook and give their The Awakening EP a listen here.
R.A. – ON TOUR W/ THE MONGOLOIDS, MODERN PAIN
May
30 Haverhill, MA @ Anchor’s Up **
31 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *
June
1 Charleston, SC @ Skatepark of Charleston
2 Jacksonville, FL @ Atticus Bar
3 Tampa, FL @ Epic Problem
4 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Atmosphere
5 Baton Rouge, LA @ Culture Bar
6 Houston, TX @ Walters on Washington
7 San Antonio, TX @ The Ten Eleven
8 Dallas, TX @ Taqueria Pedritos
9 Jackson, MS @ Rampage Skatepark
10 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
11 Wilmington, NC @ Ortons
12 Virginia Beach, VA @ VA Live
13 Wilmington, DE @ Harmony Grange
July
25 Philadelphia, Pa – This Is Hardcore Festival*
** No Modern Pain
* RA Only
Photo by Sean Sullivan
