Home / News / DC Hardcore Punk Band PSYOP Drop New EP ‘Defector’ [USA]

DC Hardcore Punk Band PSYOP Drop New EP ‘Defector’ [USA]

By on June 17, 2025

Since 2021, Washington DC’s PSYOP has laid down a haunting vision of a crumbling country, all-seeing surveillance and control, and environmental destruction. Throughout their three releases, they’ve been blending old-school hardcore punk and d-beat with a modern edge—throwing in touches of post-hardcore, doom, or whatever else sounds good. The project started as a basement studio demo featuring lead vocalist Danial K and produced and performed by close friends including members of No/Mas, soon after adding Doug B on guitar and Won C on bass to form the core permanent lineup.

Defector (out now on KILL YELLOW FEVER RECORDS) stays true to this spirit with hard-hitting drums, breakneck side to side riffs, fierce vocals, and apocalyptic lyrics. We take a page from classic DC acts like Void or 86 Mentality with some of our more recent influences being Ceremony, Armor, Haram. Raised in the DIY tradition and political messaging of punk, we’re equally at home in a cramped basement or highway underpass to larger stages where we’ve supported bands such as Spy, Taqbir, & HIRS Collective.

“As a band with Pakistani-American, Korean-American, and LGBTQ members we do our best to encourage representation in the scene…”

Psyop is proud to team up with KYF Records for the cassette release of Defector. The label’s commitment to amplifying AAPI and POC voices in the hardcore scene is something we truly respect and connect with. As a band with Pakistani-American, Korean-American, and LGBTQ members we do our best to encourage representation in the scene. We’re big believers in the power of DIY to unite, spark joy, and speak out against the many injustices of those in power. Upcoming appearances include day 2 of Break Free Fest, a DC release show with Pilau & No Model on 6/21, and a Northeast tour from 7/30-8/3.

Limited edition cassettes available HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/psyopdc/

UniteAsia.org is an underground Asian music news website created for the sole purpose of supporting our own world. We support all bands and genres HOWEVER we do not support nor have any sympathy for homophobic, racist, sexist rhetoric in lyrical content or band material. UNITE ASIA!
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