ABOUT FREEWILL

Freewill is a southern California melodic punk band formed in 1987 when some friends came together to blend their love of DC hardcore (Dag Nasty/Embrace) and west coast punk (7 Seconds/Descendents). 

The band's first show was opening for Agnostic Front and the Offspring in 1988. Around this time, the band was approached by Wishingwell Records and they started recording for their debut album. The record was engineered and produced by Bill Krodel (Dag Nasty, Inside Out, Chain of Strength). Soon after, Wishingwell Records dissolved without warning or much explanation and the record was never released. Shortly after that, the members were all involved in different music projects and going their own directions.

Fast forward to 2015. The "Sun Return" LP was released on New Age Records 28 years after it was recorded. The original members reunited for a benefit show for their friend Jon Bunch (Sense Field) who had tragically passed. This reunion sparked a fire to write new music and they started playing shows again (w/ Dag Nasty, Samiam, Texas is the Reason).

In 2021, the LP “All This Time” was recorded by Paul Miner (New Found Glory, Terror, H2O) and released on Unity Worldwide Records with all new material. In 2021, the record hit #1 on the Coretex charts and stayed in the top 20 for multiple weeks. The first pressing of the album sold out and the 2nd pressing is currently available worldwide. An exclusive song was featured on the "Strength Through Unity" compilation that includes bands such as Boy Sets Fire, Be Well, Comeback Kid and more.

Early 2022 brought a west coast mini-tour with Game Face and Field Day followed by another with Verbal Assault & Gel. 2023 is already off to a great start with the band recording two new songs (again with Paul Miner) for a split 7” with Spark of Life (featuring Fred Armisen) coming out this summer.

Paul Cranston: Guitar/Vocals 

Charlie Trujillo: Drums

Mike Hartsfield: Bass (ex-Strife, Outspoken)

Evan Cranston: Guitar

CONTACT

Mike Hartsfield

mikehartsfield@gmail.com

(949) 351-8146

MUSIC VIDEOS

The Show

All This Time 

Letting Go

RELEASES

Split EP with Spark of Life (New Age Records)

Self-titled 7" (Mankind Records)

"Sun Return" LP (New Age Records)

Split EP with Zero Eight One (Goodwill Records)

"Why I'm Not Myself" (single) on Strength Through Unity Compilation (Unity Worldwide Records)

"All This Time" LP (Unity Worldwide Records/New Age Records)

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Spotify 
Bandcamp
Instagram

Facebook

UPCOMING SHOWS

10/20 @ Programme - Fullerton, CA

10/21 @ Union Barber & Beer Lounge - Corona, CA

10/22 @ Che Cafe - San Diego, CA

Past shows

6/01 @ Supply and Demand - Long Beach, CA

12/01 @ The Siren - Morro Bay, CA (w/Agent Orange)

10/08 @ Neck of the Woods - San Francisco, CA (w/Gel & Verbal Assault)

10/07 @ Cafe Colonial - Sacramento, CA (w/Gel & Verbal Assault)

10/06 @ Midnight Hour - San Fernando, CA (w/Gel & Verbal Assault)

8/13 @ 924 Gilman St. - Berkeley, CA

8/06 @ Supply and Demand - Long Beach, CA

7/15 @ Transplants - Palmdale, CA (w/Field Day)

7/16 @ Double Down - Las Vegas, CA  

4/23 @ Programme - Fullerton, CA

2/27 @ Corbin Bowl - Tarzana, CA

2/26 @ Dr. Strange Records - Alta Loma, CA (w/Game Face and Field Day)

2/25 @ Alex’s Bar - Long Beach, CA (w/Game Face and Field Day)

2/24 @ Soda Bar - San Diego, CA (w/Game Face and Field Day)

FEATURES / PRESS / INTERVIEWS

CLICK Podioslave Podcast - Interview, Mike Hartsfield

CLICK Ox-Fanzine - Feature

CLICK Going Off Track podcast - Interview, Mike Hartsfield

CLICK  The Punk Roquette Show - Interview, Paul Cranston

CLICK  Mass Movement (UK) - Interview

CLICK  No Echo - Freewill Drops Video for Title Track to Their LP

CLICK  Aversion Online - Interview and Track Premiere

CLICK  Coretex Records - Skatepunk Days Episode 8 

CLICK  No Echo - Freewill California Melodic Hardcore Band is Back with “You”

CLICK  IdiotEQ - Melodic Hardcore Vets Freewill Release New Split with Zero Eight One

CLICK  No Echo - Freewill Melodic Hardcore Band Returns with “Ballad of Mark David Cox” 

CLICK  IdiotEQ - New Release from Classic Hardcore Act Freewill

CLICK  No Echo - Song Premiere: Freewill, “Somewhere Down the Line”

CLICK  No Echo - Interview, Mike Hartsfield