If you lived in the SF State dorms back in 2003 you may have heard the sound of screaming, accompanied by hardcore guitar and drums blaring through the walls. It wasn’t a music student’s lesson gone wrong; it was the birth of Our Turn, a band of hardcore punk rockers.

They have played at several local Bay Area shows, toured the East Coast and had the honor of playing at hardcore festivals. They have a CD release with Youngblood Records which includes “Catch Your Breath” and bonus tracks. After two years of hard rocking it they are calling it quits.

The band honors California’s rich history of hardcore punk rock from the ‘80s to today, and they gave their band a name that reflects progressive thinking and a strong vibe.

“We pride ourselves on being fast,” said Carl Cordova, 27, lead singer of the band.

He describes their style as fast, intense, and aggressive but with a positive message. Cordova, who graduated from SF State in 2003, explained that he’s the guy who screams on stage.

The lyrics and message of the band is to promote a positive vibe and outlook on society and the community. They speak out against non-violence at their shows and encourage the audience and fans to have fun and enjoy the music.

Josh Castro, 24, an Asian American studies major and Vice President of External Affairs at SF State, is the band’s guitar player. “We want to keep the tradition of punk rock alive,” said Castro.

Castro has played the guitar since he was 12 years old and was influenced by Nirvana’s classic song “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” He goes on to describe how he wanted to play just like them. Not only is Castro serious about campus politics and very much involved in his role, after years of lessons and practice he can play a mean electric guitar.

Carlos Zerzen, 23, a liberal studies major, met Cordova during his freshman year when Cordova worked for the SF State Housing Department.

“During my freshman year I wanted to start a band,” said Zerzen.

When Zerzen and Cordova hooked up, they found a mutual interest in punk rock and starting a band, and soon after they began to search for band members.

“We used to practice in the dorms,” Cordova said. “We weren’t supposed to.”

Cordova described how he wrote most of the lyrics and Castro and Zerzen put all the music together. The band works well together and prides themselves on being able to play 15-to-20 minute sets flawlessly and in sync.

The band’s drummer, Isaac Fartini of Sacramento, has announced his departure from the band, leading to the breakup. Fartini could not be reached for comment.

Fartini has signed on to a bigger record label and will not be able to commit his time to Our Turn. Making the difficult decision, the band has decided to break up for now as they look for another drummer and a possible future return.

”We have been looking for another drummer but no one fits our style,” said Cordova. Their CD is available at Amoeba Records and a few other locations in San Francisco and the East Bay. A sample of their music can be found at http://www.myspace.com/ourturn and http://www.youngblood-records.com.

The last three shows are scheduled for April 8, 9, and 10.

Our Turn - Final Shows
April 8: 8 p.m., 924 Gilman, Berkeley. $5 entrance. No alcohol permitted. http://www.924gilman.org

April 10: 8 p.m., The 418 Project, 418 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA.
http://www.four-eighteen.org
All times posted may change, please check prior to performance.