Powerhouse

Powerhouse is a hardcore group from Oakland, California. It forms in 1993 with the aim of energising the Bay Area hardcore scene at a time when local shows and bands are scarce. The group draws on old-school New York hardcore and is associated with the Northern California hardcore revival of the 1990s.

Line-up

The band’s line-up changes over time, but its later core includes Chris Hower on vocals, Ernie Cortez on bass, “Machete” Eddie Medina on guitar, and Walter Ryan on drums. Ryan is also known for having played in Madball.

Releases and labels

Powerhouse releases its debut 7-inch, Pandemonium, and later reissues it in CD EP format in 2000 with two unreleased tracks. Its follow-up full-length, No Regrets, is issued by Blackout Records, and its second album, What Lies Ahead, appears on Resurrection AD Records.

Scene involvement

Alongside its recordings, Powerhouse appears on numerous compilations and shares stages with bands including Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law, Madball, Skarhead, and 25 ta Life. The band also becomes involved in local infrastructure, opening an all-ages venue called the Bombshelter and operating the Sacred Tattoo shop, which later expands to Fresno and Seattle.