Tribute to Al Barile: Influential Guitarist of SS Decontrol
Al Barile, the celebrated guitarist of the pioneering Boston hardcore band SS Decontrol, passed away on Sunday at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the age of 63. This information was shared by his wife, Nancy Barile, on Instagram. She confirmed that Barile, diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022, “passed away peacefully” surrounded by loved ones.
SS Decontrol’s Impact on Hardcore Punk
Formed in the early 1980s, SS Decontrol, also known as SSD (short for Society System Decontrol), was a cornerstone of the straight-edge movement, which advocated for a lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs. The band’s music, characterized by fast-paced and aggressive guitar riffs, often tackled themes of societal hypocrisy and government oppression.
Their notable album, The Kids Will Have Their Say, released in 1982, featured a provocative cover image showing youth rallying at the steps of the Massachusetts State House. Critics recognized the band’s raw sound and integrity, with publications like the Boston Phoenix praising the unsettling nature of their music.
Barile’s Early Life and Musical Formation
Alan Scott Barile was born on October 4, 1961, in Lynn, Massachusetts. His early interests included hockey and filmmaking. Inspired by the punk rock movement, particularly the Ramones, he picked up the guitar, eventually leading to the formation of SS Decontrol while he was a mechanical engineering student at Northeastern University, alongside bandmates Jaime Sciarappa, Chris Foley, and David Spring, known as Springa.
In a retrospective documentary, Springa recounted a pivotal moment when Barile outlined the band’s mission: to express disdain for societal norms and anti-conformity through their music. This declaration set the foundation for SSD’s ethos, distinguishing them from mainstream acts.
The Band’s Legacy
Barile’s sentiments about the music scene were clear: he sought authenticity, contrasting the genuine punk sound with the perceived insincerity of popular Boston acts like Aerosmith and the Cars. The band was heavily influenced by fellow hardcore pioneers, particularly Minor Threat, whose song “Straight Edge” resonated with SSD’s philosophy and lifestyle choices.
Under the collaborative release between SSD’s Xclaim! Records and the Dischord label owned by Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat, The Kids Will Have Their Say established their status in the hardcore genre. They followed up with Get It Away in 1983, seen as a definitive hardcore classic by critics.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite disbanding in 1985, SSD released two additional albums that ventured into a heavier sound. Barile went on to pursue a career in engineering at General Electric and later formed a new band called Gage.
Recently, SS Decontrol was inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame, solidifying their impact on the music landscape. As Nancy Barile stated, the straight-edge philosophy created an alternative for youth seeking liberation from the typical suburban lifestyle of the 1970s, a testament to the band’s enduring influence.