Few drummers have shaped punk rock’s heartbeat like Bill Stevenson. From pounding the kit for Black Flag to defining melodic hardcore with the Descendents, Bill’s fingerprints are all over the sound and soul of modern punk. Now in his early 60s, he’s as sharp, funny, and relentless as ever — splitting time between drumming, producing at his legendary Colorado studio The Blasting Room, and firing off those famously short, no-nonsense emails that have become part of his lore.
In this episode, Bill talks about how it feels to still be chasing perfect takes after decades behind the kit, what it’s like playing massive Descendents gigs after starting out in basements and beach-town garages, and how the band’s documentary Filmage unexpectedly turned his life story into one of punk’s most human tales. He also opens up about what keeps him balanced these days — how his approach to health, caffeine, and the occasional drink has evolved since the early days of late nights and fast food — and why staying connected (even if it’s just through a few curt emails) is his way of keeping life simple.
It’s a conversation about endurance, humor, and clarity from one of punk’s most quietly disciplined minds — a guy who’s still out there chasing ALL at 61.
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