In our conversation with Jon Elliot of Retribution, he discusses the band’s evolution, influences, and the raw energy fuelling their upcoming album, Waiting on the World to Burn (January 2025). Blending classic northeast hardcore with modern intensity, Retribution is defined by their DIY ethic, sociopolitical lyrics, and relentless live shows. Jon reflects on the personal and collective struggles that shaped the band, the Midwest’s challenges in building a hardcore scene, and the deep frustrations driving their music.
ATN: Retribution was officially established in 2019, but what was the initial spark that brought the members together? How did the lineup come to form, and how have you evolved since your early days?
JON ELLIOT (JE): This band has been an evolution of 2 other bands. It stems from a band my brother and I (Jon) started back in 2010 called Lost Boys. We played until 2013 under that name and then came back in 2016. We went through a name change and became Outcast. After some member changes and much thought, we decided another name change was in our best interest. And so Retribution was born.
ATN: You’ve come out strong from the beginning, making an impact in the midwest hardcore/punk scene. What were some of the early challenges you faced as a band, and how did you overcome them?
JE: I think the biggest challenge we faced at the beginning was that we didn’t really have anywhere close to play. We would have to travel at least 1.5 hours or more to play a show anywhere. Slowly our scene began to grow again and bands like Raptured, Age of Panic, and Buried Truth started up. From there our friend Austin Zahn started booking more shows and we saw a new generation of young kids come into the scene and start all kinds of awesome bands. Those early days of traveling wouldn’t have been possible without people like Q and Chris Alsip in Cincinnati, Ryan from Gates to Hell in Louisville, and East Tennessee Hardcore. They gave us a home away from home.
ATN: The band has seen a lot of experience from members of other bands (Treason, Raptured, Eternal Wound, etc.). How has your past experience in those projects influenced the sound and direction of Retribution?
JE: I think our current line up meshes so well together. We are all ranging in age from early 20s to some of us being in our 30s. That brings both a fresh and older perspective on writing which is awesome. I think we’ve really been able to take from the new and old styles of hardcore to make something that’s genuinely us.
ATN: It’s been described your sound as leaning towards the classic northeast hardcore with newer influences. Can you break down how you blend these different elements together to create a unique sound?
JE: We all have different influences and styles we are into. As silly as it sounds, the goal when writing songs for us is “will people mosh to this” and “can they sing a long” to these songs. I feel like our biggest influences are bands that create music that does just that. Madball, Terror, Hatebreed, and Trapped Under Ice are some of those main influences.
ATN: Hardcore is a genre that has seen a lot of change over the years. How would you say Retribution fits within the current landscape of hardcore and punk? What sets you apart from other bands in the scene?
JE: I think we really fit in that more early 2000’s hardcore feel with our sound. It seems that the older metalcore sound is really taking over, which is awesome, so it allows us to have a different sound than most. I think the one thing that sets us apart is our attitude. We don’t think we are cool, or rockstars. We go to shows and mosh just like everyone else. We don’t hold ourselves to a higher standard. We are just some fucked up kids who love hardcore.
ATN: With the intense energy of your live shows and the sociopolitical lyrics, it sounds like Retribution isn’t just about music but also about message. How does your music reflect the times we’re living in, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
JE: When I had kids, the things I was pissed off about changed, seeing how the world continues to crumble by the weight of greed and corrupt power. I hate that my kids have to grow up in a fucked up world like this. The thing I hope people take away from the lyrics, is to think for themselves. Don’t listen to or trust political figures. Don’t listen to religious leaders. Don’t listen to celebrities or news stations. Hell, don’t even listen to me. Do your research, learn how to play the system, and do everything you can to take care of the ones you love. This world is too far gone to change, so we have to prepare for the worst. It may seem like a grim outlook, but it seems to be reality more and more everyday.
ATN: Your debut full-length, Waiting on the World to Burn, is set to drop in January 2025. Can you tell us a bit about the concept behind the album and how it differs from your previous releases?
JE: It’s our best album musically. We really worked hard on putting out a high energy album from start to finish. Most of our songs point out a lot of the fucked up things going on in our country and the world. Others are just about who we are in hardcore. We even have a love song for 859 hardcore that features a ton of people from our local scene. I truly believe this is the best music we’ve ever released.
ATN: Waiting on the World to Burn is a bold title. What inspired this name, and how does it tie into the album’s themes?
JE: Like I’ve said previously, this world is fucked. Everywhere you look, bombs are being dropped on innocent people, police are killing minorities, governments are neglecting their people, and the working class continues to catch the shit end of it all. Hardcore has been and always will be about defiance. This album is our recognition of the state of the world, and our stance against it.
ATN: The album features guest appearances from Chris Alsip (Suffocate Faster) and Jeremy Damron (Volcano). How did these collaborations come about, and what do they bring to the album?
JE: Both are friends of the band. Chris Alsip and I (Jon) played together in Treason. We became good friends through that band and that friendship is still there today. I like to joke and say Chris is my hardcore dad. He’s done so much for this band and it meant so much for us to have him on the record. We met Jeremy through Chris. Volcano and Retribution were supposed to play a show together in Cincinnati with Sick Of It All, unfortunately Volcano had to drop due to illness. Jeremy still came out to the show and introduced himself to me. During our set I saw him side stage vibing the whole time. We knew we wanted him on the title track of this record. I could hear his raw vocals singing the chorus of the song. As soon as I asked him to be a part of the song, he was down. We are very happy how all the guest spots turned out.
ATN: How did the recording process for Waiting on the World to Burn differ from your previous EPs and singles? Were there any challenges or standout moments in the studio that you’d like to share?
JE: We fully self recorded this album. Our guitarist Sam Ridenour took on the project and absolutely killed it. We really wanted a raw but clean sound. I think we captured that with this record. We took our time on writing and recording which was different for us too. I’ve already said it, but I believe this is our best album we’ve done.
ATN: How would you describe the album in five words?
JE: Fast, pissed, hard, honest, unapologetic
ATN: Your lyrics are known for being unapologetically sociopolitical. What specific issues are you tackling on the upcoming album, and why are these issues particularly important to you right now?
JE: Everything tackled comes from the wrongful persecution and the extermination of certain peoples based on their race, religion, and/or affiliation. From the corrupt justice system in America, to the disgusting border patrol tactics, to the unfair treatment of the working class American, and the continued genocide in Gaza carried out by the Israeli government. I know I can’t change the world or the things happening, but I can take my stance and say exactly how I feel about them.
ATN: How do you balance the desire to make a statement with the need to entertain and connect with your audience?
JE: We are a bunch of goofballs that love to have fun. Hardcore is supposed to be fun as much as it is supposed to be outspoken. When we take the stage, you’re gonna get the same energy every time. Whether it’s in front of 300 people or 10 people. It’s the same, because we love this shit and every single show is important to us.
ATN: The hardcore/punk scene has always been a space for activism and rebellion. How do you feel your music contributes to that tradition, and how do you view the role of punk music in today’s socio-political climate
JE: Hardcore is a safe space. Within that safe space you are able to send out knowledge and opinions that are better received. Sparking a fire to make people think more than just red and blue, and to really find their identity and where they stand on issues we face in this world. Hardcore is against the grain. It’s always been anti government, antifascism, and against racism and homophobia. We are simply here to say that we care about the people that are affected most by this cruel world. Go out and be the change you want to see.
ATN: You’ve earned a reputation for intense live performances. What’s the energy like when you’re playing live, and how does it differ from the recorded version of your music?
JE: I get caught up in stage banter a lot. Hardcore without substance is another useless genre of music. I believe there is a certain energy we bring live that just can’t be replicated on recording. We also have an amazing amount of supportive friends that come out to a lot of our shows that mosh hard and singalong every time.
ATN: What’s the most memorable or impactful live show you’ve had so far, and why does it stand out?
JE: We’ve been very fortunate to play so many cool shows. I think the most memorable would have to be Knoxville Hardcore Fest 2024. The energy was at 1000% the entire set. We also were able to have our buddy Zach Wiles play the album intro live for us at that show. Zach Wiles is an incredibly talented bluegrass musician who also plays in hardcore bands.
ATN: What do you think is the role of live shows in building the hardcore/punk community, and how do you engage with fans in ways that go beyond just the music?
JE: Hardcore is about the shows. That’s the bread and butter. A space where we can all come together and release all the pent up aggression we’ve felt all week from our jobs, schools, and families. We all still contribute to shows even if we aren’t playing. We help book bands, work doors, do “security”, and just show up to mosh and buy merch. The live shows are the life force of hardcore.
ATN: Looking ahead, what are your plans for the year following the album’s release?
JE: We are currently booking some short runs for February and I’m sure we will be doing an album release show as well. January we are taking it easy. All the other guys play in other bands so they play out a lot. January is our cool down month. The album will come out in January and that will allow people time to listen to it and learn the words. Then in February we are coming back swinging.
ATN: What do you hope fans take away from the album?
JE: Think for yourself. Look outside the box. Educate yourself from real unbiased sources. Continue to love hardcore. Learn how to fight. Learn how to play the system. Take care of each other and do everything you can to keep your scene alive.
SAME 3 QUESTIONS WE ALWAYS ASK
ATN: Artist / band that you feel is the most underrated and why?
JE: HATEBREED IS THE BEST BAND IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to collaborate with and why?
JE: We would love to continue to work with all our friends. Some on our radar are Shogun from Knoxville, TN, Southpaw from Florida, and Violent Nature from Columbus, OH.
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to tour with and why?
JE: All the bands we listed in the last question. Those are homies and genuinely amazing bands and people. Would love to be able to do another weekend run with our brothers in Suffocate Faster. Big bands we’d love to tour with would be of course HATEBREED, Terror, Madball, Trapped Under Ice, and 1000 other bands. We just love hardcore and the connections you make with others.
