Doctor Know

While Orange County, CA, became a thriving center of the hardcore scene in the early '80s, Oxnard churned out enough bands to earn its own genre: nardcore. Dr. Know singer Brandon Cruz coined the phrase that the simple, loud, raw, anthemic, and admittedly un-inventive punk sounds of bands like Agression and Stalag 13. Cruz, a former child actor, and his bandmates gave devotees such favorites as "God Told Me To," "Burn," and "Plug in Jesus" before delving into metal as the '80s wore on. The band re-formed in the late '90s, with two original members, Cruz and bassist Ismael Hernandez, guitarist Craig Mendez, and drummer Eric Vasquez. A split record with Fang and the Hellions on Hello Records offered the band's first new material in over a decade. ~ Ron DePasquale, Rovi