Interview: FREE 4 ALL
"How long till we've had enough 'It's all out of love' I'm calling their bluff"
Photo Credit: @miracle.crack.baby
Oklahoma City hardcore standard-bearers Free 4 All simply cannot be stopped.
Released on February 14 by Hive Minded Records, Volume 4 delivers the newest evolution of the band’s sound. Each song is adorned with feedback squalls, careening divebombs, and thundering metallic riffs.
Shredded-throat vocals deliver introspection, weigh the consequences of past decisions, current struggles, and resolutions to carry on. Familiar elements of traditional and beatdown hardcore blend seamlessly with Free 4 All’s signature brand of exuberance and swagger.
Photo Credit: @madi.rae.jones
The depth and sincerity of the lyrical content on this release are especially notable. The album tackles themes like disillusionment with religious upbringing and the resilience of abuse survivors.
The closing track, “W4RL0RD5”, is a powerful statement against the dehumanizing policies affecting many Oklahomans—an anthem of defiance and resistance.
Check out the songs below and dive into our conversation with guitarist Ty Everett as he reflects on the band’s journey, fresh inspirations, and their place in Oklahoma’s thriving hardcore scene.
Free 4 All have been going strong for a few years now! What would you consider some highlights or favorite memories from your time as a band, so far?
Free 4 All started in late 2022, since then we’ve been staying as busy as we can with a 6-person line-up.
My personal highlights include releasing the Blood 4 All split with Out 4 Blood, going on tour with our friends Big Shot, playing Flyover Fest (both 2023 and 2024), recording and releasing our new EP “Volume 4”.
Your band has always shown a willingness to branch out and try new things with your sound. What can we expect from your EP? What were some of your inspirations?
I really like taking a wide range of influences and blending it into a cohesive sound! For this EP, I personally have pulled sounds from every band I’ve been in.
In general I wanted this record to be both heavier and catchier than anything we’ve ever done, a blend of hard mosh parts and dog pile sing-along parts.
Photo Credit: @madi.rae.jones
There are pretty heavy-handed influences from Never Ending Game and Cold As Life, while blending some King Nine, Merauder, and Despize.
I can’t imagine the current collective energy of OKHC existing without Free 4 All’s contributions, as musicians, participants, and ambassadors for the scene. Why are communities like this one important?
That’s really kind to say, but the truth is it took this community being what it was in the first place to inspire each of us in Free 4 All to still be here doing this and being a part of the scene.
It met us all at young pivotal points in our lives, we met friends that changed us, we saw bands that shaped how we see music. It was all an ecosystem that existed before we all individually came along.
I know for a fact that the young kids starting bands right now are gonna do shit way cooler than anything I’ve done musically, all I hope to be is a part of that process for my city and to watch all these young artists grow into who they’re meant to be.
What does the future hold for Free 4 All?
Honestly, a lot of what you could expect from us previously, just more of it. We’re playing shows more out of town, we aren’t really stopping preparing new music for everybody.
Photo Credit: @madi.rae.jones
Not really sure how much I can say without giving up the answer, but plans to be working with more bands and people from out of state that I think people back home are gonna be excited about.