HardLore: Jeff Gunnells (Cold As Life)

Colin and Bo are joined by Detroit Hardcore legend/Cold as Life frontman Jeff Gunnels.
A true bucket list HardLore guest that we thought would never be possible, we discuss their era-defining classic album Born to Land Hard, his thoughts on music while he was in prison, how it feels getting ready for Cold as Life's return to the stage on October 7th, their misunderstood follow up album The Declination of Independence and much more.
Jeff is one of the most enigmatic and fascinating people to ever exist in hardcore music and we're honored to be able to share a small piece of his story.
Cold as Life is BACK October 7th in Detroit, Michigan!!!
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[@branchdravidian]

Crazy how he said "there's a city in michigan called flint" bc he was in prison when the water crisis happened and doesn't know Flint is a household name now

[@a.world.beyond.814]

I remember when my dad showed me and told me about Cold as Life (he drummed in Brother’s Keeper), nothing but the upmost respect for the cold as life and ctyc crew. Some of the hardest riffs I’ve heard to this day are on born to land hard, because it’s all real. Thank you for this episode and thank you Jeff, your band changed my life!

[@shaftpunk84]

Brother’s Keeper was dope too!

[@mlznlz1042]

Saw Brothers Keeper a bunch they were rad!🔥

[@liamebers6844]

tony

[@bagbroch9339]

Son of tony in the comments?? Sheesh

[@moneenerd]

Yo your dad rules.

[@js6527]

This is the very definition of a history lesson. Required viewing.

[@justingilliland360]

The greatest voice ever in hardcore, sounds like a demon. Undeniable riffs too, Jeff is a legitimate legend. Prepared to mosh with tears in my eyes in October

[@johnnyonetake9249]

Jeffs vocals fucking ruled and bates on drums..great drummer

[@J.o.h.n.n.y.b.o.y]

Criminally underrated band. I grew up as a kid listening to them. Esp when i got out of juvy.. we were bangin cold as life in Jersey

[@RyanGriswold-og7ey]

Michigan has always had great hardcore for sure

[@DR_DINGLENUT]

"He's smashing this dog with this cooked turkey in a onesie" might be the best line from any podcast ever

[@matthewbowser1779]

‘Teaching my dog to k*ll kids.’ Colin’s face was priceless.

[@jbasti227]

That bit had me gasping for air. Wild stuff.

[@nickm1703]

the boys saw their corporate sponsors going up in smoke and diverted quickly back to Born to Land Hard LMAO

[@bagbroch9339]

@@matthewbowser1779haha you guys have no idea the level of mental illness that Johnny h8 was on man. Funny to laugh at, but also a tragedy of society.

[@gggallin8279]

After years of listing to more extreme music and probably hearing most of the infamous stories, that shit has got to be one of the wildest stories I’ve ever heard 💀

[@xjjbx]

Before KZbin you had to tape trade or pickup live sets on VHS from distros at shows. I still have boxes in my basement of live sets from all over. I do miss the hunt of finding bands material, writing letters, and digging through used bins. Things are different whether that’s good or bad… I first saw video of Cold as Life 24 years ago from the same tape I have uploaded on my channel from 15 years ago. What drew me to cold as life was how raw the material was as a whole package…the song writing, the layout, the photos, the DIY ethic. That to me was 100% Hardcore. Being also from the rust belt you really are isolated like he says and a lot of miserable things do happen, some very relatable. When he mentions the gear used to record…The explanation affirms my belief you don’t have to have expensive gear or have a gimmick. Just write music from the heart and the rest will come. Like he says it’s all UNDERGROUND music and that’s why I also was drawn to it. I hated normal society and never fit into its mold. Still don’t…I just tolerate it. H8!

[@a.world.beyond.814]

I know taste the steel had some influences from Cold As Life haha!

[@harveydjent9228]

Their reactions to things he says are so wholesome

[@carpeimodiem]

We had a band, a highschooler hardcore band in the 90's Detroit scene. And Jeff G was like a big brother to us kids. Him and Andy Dempz from Earthmover. Jeff and Andy were always trying to kick us gas money for playing shows and we always said no. They were like gods to us. And we considered it an honor to be invited. And have their love and support. Larger than life figures amidst a broken city of tortured souls. I have never seen darkness like that before or since. Not even in those vids from Ukraine last year. And he kept the candle of positivity lit for us. And we weren't nothin but scrawny little kids with no future. I had no idea he went to prison. I wish I knew. I could have sent him a cake with tools or somethin haha... For real though. Nobody deserves more respect than Jeff. The realest, truest, zero fake, zero elitist, with nothing but love and support to those that deserve it. One of my all time favorite human beings on earth. CTYC forever, my brother and mentor. 🙌

[@xWARPATH777x]

CTYC NATION DETROIT HARDCORE WHERE YOU AT?

[@HardcoreRecovery]

Stand up, DETROIT!!!! ILL BE BACK RIPPING SOON.

[@samuelmagnum6047]

Declination of Independence by COLD AS LIFE, Carved From Empty Wounds by STAMPIN GROUND and In the Eyes of the Lord by 100 DEMONS each came out in 2000. I was living in Houston when I was gifted with these masterpieces. Each are completely different sonically but all share a common brutality, honestly and uniqueness.

[@SamuraiStyleTV]

The TRIO.

[@AndrewJShirley]

What a brutal fucking trio, mint!

[@shaftpunk84]

Aside from the episodes that are just Bo and Colin talking about dope records, this might be my favorite episode.

[@kevxxxedge]

Heavy interview, but those last 2 minutes? That hit hard.

[@jvallely_]

The boys had to get some sleeves on for how cold this is. Love it. Hometown legend. What an amazing episode.

[@MazChuga]

As a somewhat newbie to the hc community, I really appreciate these episodes, as well as other stuff outside of Hardlore like all the documentaries and show footage floating around out there. Finding hc was like finding my long lost family, and shit like this helps me to learn and better understand where things started and where hc has gone. I'm certainly privileged to be able to go to hc shows now bc I'm making up for lost time. It's one thing to find hc and say, I want to be that, and another to find it and realize it's been in you this whole time. 🖤

[@bagbroch9339]

man jeff always stayed at my spot with his bands for years on tour. great to see him out and looking great and getting some shine. the trenches were ROUGH to make hardcore safe today. absolute legend. one of the most misunderstood and kindest people around. so dope you guys did this.

[@lsalaz2262]

Born To Land Hardlore

[@howiemandel5787]

Born to Lore Hard works better imo Lol

[@jasonwrobbel7373]

yo jeff its freaky are we still pals or what

[@jasonwrobbel7373]

ya ok take care brother

[@TheEddyZombie]

Born To Lore Hard

[@seanmcdermott4915]

JEFF, I saw you guys at a small ass joint out here in New Jersey called the M&M Hall...Tiny F'n joint...and after you guys played, I remember walking up to my best friend who went to that show with me and said "HOLY SH*T, DID YOU SEE THAT??!" and was the best fuc*king live set I have seen...to this day. We would love you guys to come back here, back together. Loved you guys. 1

[@HeritageWealthPlanning]

Man- great story. I remember seeing Madball at some hick-bar in Manassas, VA probably 95 or so. Maybe 15 people there, 20 at most and they still crushed it. Nothing but respect for bands that still play hard even when few are there to witness it

[@paidinfool2655]

Song police def on daily rotation

[@glacialedge]

What an awesome interview to see! I saw Cold as Life several times when I was a kid. At St. Andrews (multiple times), at Todds, at Blondies (I think), at Harpos, etc.

[@KarateDungeon]

You guys dropped a classic. This is easily an all-timer, right here

[@julianpawlak1472]

mushmouth shirt he is truely the goat

[@scottend5239]

I'm laughing as he's saying all this, but Jeff"s humility when talking about arguably the best hardcore record ever made is madness. What a guy.

[@JASONvsBOSCO]

I can’t be the only one who is now attempting levitation. Thanks Hardlore. What an episode!!

[@chuckjamesnorris5928]

Detroit we’re taking over hardlore today

[@topdawggggggg]

tremendous episode cant wait for another episode with jeff roaming through detroit hc history

[@justinrose3514]

There's never been a more important podcast episode. This is IT.

[@sterkjohnson]

Awesome episode. Would be sweet to get Dom A389 on the show. He’s had a hand in so much

[@tru_squid8641]

Now this is some HARD lore

[@HardcoreRecovery]

That show was badass in DETROIT!!! It was crazy being sober, only show in detroit ive been to sober and i blow out my ACL. SHIT HAPPENS. BACK ON THE WAGON. Working on recovery again, in all aspects of my life. Got taken out 3rd or 2nd song into madball. So I missed you guys and I was bummed as fuck. Never had some shit like that happen at a show in 25 years at shows. Hopefully you guys will do some more shows.

[@needthecoast]

Jeff really said everything perfectly. I hope they have a great show and new album!🎉

[@johnnyonetake9249]

Cold as life was the shit...i grew up with alot of members in the canton/plymouth area...be sweet to see a reunion show

[@BreathIsLyfe]

Detroit Hardcore forever #coldaslife #pittbull #negativeapproach

[@s.m.s.t.l]

colin's long slow nod at the R was hilarious

[@scottbuczek2776]

Finally…someone did a truly good and well deserved interview of Jeff G and CAL history. Great job Hardlore!

[@captainkttyhwk]

We've all got rawn beauty stories to share. Sad it all played out like that despite him being volatile. Good on you Jeff for staying true to you heart and soul. Wish you all the best.

[@brainrottedindividual]

never underestimate the power of a solid state crate amp!

[@xziggyx1]

😅 the most I can say is at least it’ll never blow up on you. If you find the best combo of speakers, speaker box with the crate you can get a decent sound

[@bagbroch9339]

@@xziggyx1the tone came from the cheap stomp boxes back then. Recording and live engineers didn’t have all the eq’s they have now so everyone was tryna be bright and it was all experimenting. No one cared about cool tube shit till like 2003. It was all digital stomp boxes and studio rack gear that was like $100. Boss, digitech, lexicon, Yamaha.

[@brainrottedindividual]

@@bagbroch9339 yeah i'm old as fuck, actually own a crate gt 80 which is a totally decent amp to me. it's got a tube preamp you can add but i usually also just rock the solid state stage with pedals for nice distortion. the tube only sounds good when it's loud and i never get to dial it up that hard.

[@joevlam1055]

I cant believe yall really said maybe ypur kids will see this and forget that their father put drugs in front of them😂😂😂 bruh they dont give a fuck bout a bands impact on a genre you dont even kno if they remotely care about. He nailed it perfectly tho and from one heroin addict to a fellow one who also turned it around love to hear his humility and success

[@marccuomo2295]

My jaw dropped when they said that shit, but keep in mind these 2 know nothing about the life and the bs that go’s along with it…. These interviews are really akward sometimes…these 2 talk to these guys in these bands the way I would talk to Metallica when I was 11 if I had the chance…..

[@xbillyx91]

THE KING IS BACK BABBBYYYYYYYY CANT WAIT FOR THE SHOW LETS GO BABBBYYYYYY

[@yungtityboi7719]

Loving the step up in show production, definitely enjoying the actual face zoom ups when a question is asked or some off-the-wall shit is said

[@gizmogibson2987]

Should have been 5hrs!! Great episode!! HARD

[@DocAdamPhD]

Jeff G has always been one of the nicest and most caring dudes in the scene. He was taking care of us kids in the 90s at Cold As Life shows and continues to be one of the most thoughtful dudes in the scene. So glad he’s out and well.

[@carpeimodiem]

Came here to say the same thing. 1000%

[@buickcityfilms]

Still one of my favorite Michigan bands ❤ much love

[@RepairSKHC]

Best episode yet. Some truly insane lore here. Never would have guessed that guitar tone came from a fucking solid state Crate amp.

[@Quantumface]

My buddy had one of those when I was in high school back in the day. The louder you turned it up the worse it sounded. Sound completely bottomed out into fizz past 4 lol

[@bagbroch9339]

@@Quantumfacethe tone came from the stomp box pedals back then. Boss, digitech. No one cared about cool tube shit until like 2003. It’s all digital stomp boxes and old lexicon and Yamaha digital studio processors that cost like $100.

[@xgreenxcloverx]

Jay Buck deck in the background! Man the first time I saw CAL was the benefit for Jay at St. Andrews with the Suicide Machines & Telegraph! Sick show! Absolutely stellar podcast dudes!

[@Livetoloathe]

3 legends. Amazing episode. Best day of the week is thursday

[@fcaioki7949]

Jeff’s use of the word “derelict” is actually hilarious but also a bit sad regarding the circumstances around Detroit at the time. This was an amazing interview tho!! The boys have done it again 😍🔥🙌

[@dougie6107]

Thank you all so much for this. Epic. Fucking epic.

[@johnnyonetake9249]

Rawn broke my banðmates bass over someone's head but i got along with him great...but i love jeffs songs and vocal and keeping the spirit of hardcor going

[@BigBossKilla]

Amazing interview Thank you !

[@zombienecropolis]

Respect!

[@hookares9207]

ive seen cold as life with dawgz of war homie but this man is crazy good

[@Nottherealsal]

Got some Taco Bell burritos, Large Baja Blast and watching HardLore. Peak humanity 🫡

[@xWARPATH777x]

Literally same

[@jbasti227]

Right there with you Mr. Brother

[@constantperception]

Literal peak life moments

[@SamuraiStyleTV]

CAL forever.

[@derekchacon7584]

Great show! It went by too quick. I look forward to the next one… side note, I was heading home from pantera in Chula Vista Saturday and police came on and my buddy I’m the backseat thought it was the cops pulling us over because of the sample. To know that was real police sirens makes that more awesome!

[@ChappySinclaire]

Jeff Freakin Gunnells!! What a great surprise! Jeff is a legend and someone I am inspired by.

[@jeffshelton8268]

Great interview jeff

[@sgtbucksauce9129]

Shoutout Dayglo Abortions! Got me into punk as a pre teen aswell.

[@bongthrower5129]

As a Canadian, I got very fucking stoked hearing that comment.

[@sgtbucksauce9129]

@@bongthrower5129 same guy

[@aaronbaranosky8072]

I grew up in Windsor and went to shows in Detroit mid 90s. Was there for the BTLH release, and CAL played Windsor as well. This nod to Dayglow is super cool!! 🇨🇦 The Windsor/Detroit HC scene back then was great and tons of great bands aways came through both city's.

[@DaveGrim69]

UNITED CREW!!!!!!!!!!@@aaronbaranosky8072

[@moneenerd]

I was so fucking stoked to hear a Canadian band shouted out

[@Carlo.WTF416]

MASTER KILLER TIER EPISODE FELLAS

[@DJStrongStyle]

I’m watching this on KZbin. Please make the music playlists for KZbin as well

[@joaocarlosmartinramosjr9782]

those final thoughts were HARD! What an episode.

[@brentschacher6655]

Best podcast ever.

[@MarkDaniels2787]

This podcast has made me start a solid state crate amp addiction/collection and if you have good speakers and nice cab they are fucking sick. Literally all that ive played you can dial in a tight percussive hardcore/metal tone and blown out doom/stoner metal tones. Thanks hardlore😂

[@_antisocial__]

If there was a new cold as life record I bet its gonna be hard af

[@HoldenSXE]

It’s hardlore time

[@Partyyypooper]

“Wow”-Bo

[@scottgajewski3925]

I just got out of work and got home and when I saw the thumbnail I got so fucking excited!

[@ptroughneck77]

I tore my ACL in the Circle pit at Smalls while H8 Inc. Was playing. Good time's 👍 gotta love Detroit Hardcore

[@nickmolino943]

Legend 💪🏽 Appreciate the shout out 🤝 🌎🌎🌎

[@matthewmitchell9220]

Awesome!! Miss my homies!

[@HardMusicMenno]

born to land hard is one of the most important hardcore records written. people tend to forget

[@maxsrandomvideos-]

War stories are a given when it comes to grown men with unresolved issues in a cluster we call hardcore

[@joeramos4489]

we need rik ta life on the pod soon

[@bones2985]

Oh dear god

[@xWARPATH777x]

He can talk about selling bootleg cold as life merch and getting stabbed for it LUL

[@RippinToons]

Would pay to see this

[@nickneumeister4420]

Favorite guest so far

[@PrimalDirect-ef8ul]

It must be awesome to go through hell behind concrete walls, wondering if there will be anything out there when it is all over, and coming out into a world of people that are inspired by you, respect you, and are excited to see what you do next. It would be great to see the band harness that and use that to make something new. Kind of like One Voice, it could be one of those post-incarceration gems that sets the tone for a new day of freedom and music. Awesome interview, they almost seemed a little bit nervous. I would be too if I met my childhood hero, even on a video chat.

[@AndrewJShirley]

YES YES! LENGTH OF TIME, BORN FROM PAIN!!

[@jordancornell9364]

Will be interesting if a new cold as life album comes out, wonder if they’ll try keep that raw sound, or opt for produced given todays tools

[@moneenerd]

An EP recorded live on the floor would be ill

[@PoorBoyMinorKey]

Damn, that Brockton show must have been nuts. Miss the Tigers Den/Romans.

[@BenBelty]

I wonder if Jeff knows his stage mosh in a “my own worst enemy” recording influenced the last 10-15 years of mosh style.

[@dominicdimas9188]

Hardlore time

[@snaptitewidetrax]

Detroit Legend!!!

[@T0nyTerr0r]

I fuckin miss this band so much!

[@Molliethemu-of9zq]

I love that Jeff’s first show was Dayglo’s haha! They were also the band that got me into punk/hardcore

[@JohnnyLaslo]

ugh this is so fulfilling thank you lol

[@sozepanteonero3072]

Legendary

[@RyanGriswold-og7ey]

Michigan hardcore has always been really hard. The hardcore punk history is heavy here too. Lots of great hardcore and hardcore punk bands

[@ptroughneck77]

I still wanna see the Cold as Life documentary completed. Big Dog is the Homie! Love that guy! I was at that show at the Magic Stick.

[@RyanGriswold-og7ey]

Mic hi igan is home to so many musical legends. Even influenced ska with mo town rec9rds back in the day. Its crazy how many iconic legendary bands come from here. The stooges and mc5 and alice cooper and maynard from tool amd cold as life and the latin dogs amd the fix and so many others

[@joeypurdy415]

Ready to see them in Detroit next month

[@ThaMulatto1]

The record store story he's talking about @ 54:25 was before Agnostic Front's "last show" (The "Last Warning" recording) at CBGBs on 12/20/92.

[@meantime69]

This is why its IMPORTANT to know the roots and history of hardcore/punk/metal. To know where hc is nowadays, its important to know that it wasnt a fashiom scene. It wasnt laid out and formulaic. It wasnt pretty. It came from pain, hate, love, fear, loss, environment, and the brothers you played with and surrounded yourselves with. No cellphones, no soundcloud, no instant visual. You used to be spit on for how you looked, who you ran with, and the general fear of the unknown that scared the shit outta "normal people". There was a struggle, there was failure, there was violence. It was real, it was dangerous, angry, and it was a snapshot of the way it was. The scene has absolutely developed and is extremely more positive and accepted... And Im good with it, no gatekeepin here. I love this shit...

[@LBOTrecords]

"I would hate to see it commercialized or any type of pop culture..." I got bad news for you, Jeff.

[@bones2985]

Fr bro hardcore podcasts are just the tip of the iceberg so far😬

[@KMKimo]

Fantastic conversation

[@connerwoodring7689]

I’ve listened to this episode like 8 times. Hell yeah mr brothers

[@SetlistPlughc]

Detroit

[@scottgajewski3925]

Amazing episode, and an amazing guy and musician!

[@diegos7455]

Hardest band photo of ALL time

[@Isaacr1821]

you guys gotta get mike couls on here next. would love to hear some agents of man stories and more cold as life stories from him

[@42itous]

Hell yeah. I'll be at that CAL reunion show next month edit: Jeff said Cold As Life played at ICP's first show? Hahaha holy shit that is so awesome

[@xClaydogzx]

There is footage of that ICP show as it has a little snippet of CAL shouting out until it cuts to ICP set