Rest in peace Al Barile, co-founding guitarist of Boston hardcore pioneers SSD, who died on October 19 of cancer. He died from a heart attack at the age of 63. Barile was born in Manhattan on October 4, 1961. He wasn’t merely a musician, he was a straight edge icon in his own right, lifelong and sober, commitment deeply inscribed in his heart, passion echoed in lyrics promising unity and self-restraint.
Barile’s path to music started in his early years when he wanted to play but didn’t think he could. Despite those initial jitters, he soon became a mesmerizing whirlwind on stage. Armed with electrifying guitar leaps and death-defying stage dives, he enthralled concertgoers across the globe. As far as hardcore goes, his SSD performances wrote the book. They left a rich and wondrous legacy that continues to inspire musicians even now.
In addition to his travel work with SSD, Barile started the independent record label Xclaim! He penned positive lyrics that underscored the value of community, cautioned us about the perils of toking, and promoted sobriety as a route to liberation. His music struck a chord with the international straight-edge community and well outside those lines.
Barile’s life was not without its challenges. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2022 and died following a series of health complications. His wife, Nancy Barile, shared the news of his passing online, highlighting his strength and resilience throughout his battle with illness.
“I almost died today. My heart stopped. My prognosis isn’t good. I hope I have a few more days, weeks, months, but it looks like days. This may be my last post. I love Nancy.” – Al Barile
Barile’s attitude towards fame was refreshingly humble. He once remarked on the difficulties of following up on SSD’s success, stating, “That was kind of a rude awakening: that I was in for a lot of work to get probably one-tenth the popularity of SSD.”
Even with these challenges, Barile didn’t let up on his love for the arts. In one of those interviews, he looked back on his legacy and expressed, “This is exorcising a lot of these demons here. He figured it did not matter what he achieved—to be the kind of guy who has written the greatest album of all time or five greatest albums. I was Al from SSD.
His approach to music and life left an indelible mark on the hardcore scene and inspired countless individuals to embrace their identities authentically.
“I never met anyone who was his own person as much as Al was,” – Nancy Barile
Al Barile’s dynamic presence on stage and his dedication to both music and his beliefs will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike. His direct contributions to the hardcore genre are really enormous. More valuable still, they remind us of the best traditions and ideals he fought for with such docility over a lifetime.