Redemption 87

Redemption 87 was an influential East Bay hardcore band formed by musicians with prior experience in notable punk and hardcore acts such as Unit Pride, Skankin' Pickle, and Token Entry. The group also featured members who would later contribute to bands like AFI, The Nerve Agents, Blaqk Audio, and Said Radio.

The formation of Redemption 87 was facilitated by Lars Frederiksen of Rancid. While Frederiksen initially envisioned a band named "Redemption 77," the members were more drawn to embodying the spirit of the hardcore scene around 1987, leading to the adoption of the name Redemption 87. Their primary objective was to steer hardcore music back towards its punk origins, away from the crossover and heavy metal influences that had become prevalent. The band drew significant inspiration from New York hardcore bands including Sick of It All, Warzone, Gorilla Biscuits, Antidote, and Cro-Mags, with a particularly strong influence from Connecticut's Youth of Today.