In a new series, we’ll be hearing from a different person every month, reflecting on Reno music projects, current or not so current, and what makes them special and personally important to them.
“Driving up to Gilman for a show, back when I lived down in the peninsula, was always a special journey. I remember the big, dark graffiti’d warehouse that has seen so many thousands of punks over the years was pretty empty that night – I remember Jawsh was wearing a bandanna, a signature look of his back then. I had seen him play drums in a moshy hardcore band, Bafabegiya, which wasn’t really my thing, but when Young Lions came on I was rapt – it was exactly what my late teenage self was thirsty for: high energy, positive and upbeat but with just the right taste of bitterness and disappointment, guitar parts that were themselves somehow lyrical. I got the CD and remember I left it on to play through the night while I slept. Those songs are still stuck in a deeper part of my brain. It was crazy how often i would talk to people over the next few years and repeat the same conversation: “Reno bands? have you ever heard Young Lions?” and they had, and they would say “Yes, that’s hands down one of the best bands I’ve heard in a long time,” and we’d lament what a bummer it was that they weren’t around anymore. But that was the Reno way back then! Burn bright as you can until you burn out – you might not leave too many marks but the ones you do leave will remain forever.” – Ilya Arbatman
You can listen to Young Lions HERE
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