What DC Means to A Baltimore Hardcore Legend

“Baltimore! RVA! D.C.!” screams Justice Tripp, Baltimore hardcore legend, halfway through Trapped Under Ice’s landmark 2011 record “Big Kiss Goodnight”. It’s a Mid-Atlantic assembly call, and a shoutout to a metro area whose fates have long been intertwined.

D.C. and Baltimore have always represented a “so close, but so far” dichotomy. Go-Go vs. Baltimore Club. “The West Wing” vs.” The Wire.” Dummy vs. Moe. D.C.’s federal, white collar reputation vs. Baltimore’s blue collar.

Tripp, who grew up in East Baltimore but cut his teeth in moshpits up and down the Eastern Seaboard, knows the scenes better than anybody. His experiences led him to front two of modern hardcore’s most innovative, popular bands: Trapped Under Ice and Angel Du$t.

“There was a stereotype that was probably true — D.C.’s a little more punk, leaning more into traditional skinhead culture. In Baltimore, while those things exist too, it's leaning more towards like XXL shirts hanging off your body while doing spin kicks in the mosh pit to metallic leaning music,” said Tripp, pointing to D.C.’s 86 Mentality and Baltimore’s Stout as examples of the sonic juxtaposition.

Despite the 40-mile gap, Tripp thinks the cities are closer than ever. “I've been calling Baltimore ‘North D.C.’ and calling D.C. ‘South Baltimore,’” he said. So close that Angel Du$t elected to throw its “Cold 2 the Touch” album release show at Columbia Heights’ legendary place of worship (and punk) St. Stephen's Church on Feb. 27.

As with anything in the belly of the beast, politics is never far away. “The message [in the music] is the same and the message is clear. It's extreme, aggressive music, with emphasis on community and intolerance of intolerance.”

Justice and Angel Du$t. (Nat Wood)

Despite his love for D.C., Tripp is a Baltimore boy through and through. So why pick a D.C. venue for Angel Du$t’s EP release?

“ We could do a record release show at the biggest venue in Baltimore and sell it out. And it's a big win. But I wanna do the most authentic thing for us, and right now, man, St. Stephen's has been a really special place in our career as a band and in my creative life.”

For the uninitiated, St. Stephen's is a truly magical D.C. space. By day you’ll find Episcopal worshipers. By night, it’s organizers, activists, punks. Since the '80s the church has hosted Fugazi, Grammy winners Turnstile, and countless other legendary bands.

“There's all these young kids in Baltimore I know haven't experienced that yet. I wanted to create a scenario where they had to come to D.C. and see this special place,” explained Tripp.

At the heart of it all, Tripp is proud to be a part of “North D.C.” and “South Baltimore.” “ We get to be a part of the coolest 45-minute drive on earth. You know what I mean? There's nothing like it.”

Angel Du$t hits St. Stephen's with support from Crown of Thorns, Backlash, and Love Sick Feb 27. It’s sold out, but you’re gonna want to scour the web for resale and join the waitlist. “Cold 2 the Touch” drops Feb. 13.