SSD

by Christopher M. True
Originally known as Society System Decontrol (and later SS Decontrol), SSD is credited with having been the band that brought the straightedge movement to Boston's hardcore/punk world. Motivated by the unity of the Washington, D.C., hardcore scene, eventual SSD leader and guitarist Alan Barile formed Society System Decontrol with vocalist David Spring (known in the band as Springa), bassist Jamie Sciarappa, and drummer Chris Foley. Their first demo, How Much Art, was released not long after their first official gig in 1981. Their tendency to focus on EP releases followed, beginning with 1982's The Kids Will Have Their Say! (on the band's own XClaim! label), considered by many to be one of the essential early straightedge releases. Touring ensued, and with their own traveling fan support (known as the Boston Crew), SSD made a name for themselves in the nascent national straightedge scene. 1983 saw the addition of second guitarist Francoise Levesque, as well as the release of the EP Get It Away! In 1984, now known simply as SSD, the band released their more metal-influenced How We Rock on Modern Method. The band finally put to rest their penchant for EP-only releases in 1985, but that year's Break It Up lived up to its billing and was the final active release from SSD, which split in November of that year. The band retained a fan base over the years, and in 1992 Taang! and Alan Barile compiled the band's 1981-1985 material for CD release, a collection entitled Power. Select members of the band remained in the music world, with Barile forming Gage, Foley drumming with various bands and solo artists, Sciarappa taking up bass duties with Slapshot, and Springa playing with Razorcaine and Die Blitzkinder.