HERE TO STAY >>>

Late one night in an unassuming alley in downtown Tacoma I met up with the lead singer for I Defy, Jason McKibbin. He led me into the old practice pad the band calls home. It was much as I suspected: cluttered with beer cans, gear, and wall-to-wall memorabilia. Fifteen years of history, and a testament to I Defy's dedication and determination.

Sorting through the memories and band members is complicated for this band, even for those who lived through them. It started back in 1995 when drummer Ben Nix arrived in the Northwest via Alaska. It was his vision that inspired the inception of I Defy. In its infancy, the band played anywhere they could, eventually becoming a somewhat notorious punk band lurking on the fringes of the Tacoma scene. Through sheer perseverance and a never-say-die attitude, the band built a following and stayed the course through lineup changes and the trials of life.

The current lineup is McKibbin, Nix, Damien Simard on bass, Johnny C. on guitar, Carl Zook on guitar - and the most recent addition, Shug Lewis rounding out the band on third guitar.

"Shug has really stepped up what we have been able to do," McKibbin explains. "We have fewer musical limitations than ever".

I Defy seems to be having more fun than ever before, too; and that is saying a lot. They will be the first to tell you their recent enthusiasm is largely due to the overwhelming support of their fans.

"We never would have made it to SXSW if it weren't for our fans," Nix comments.

"Not just our local fans either, people all over the country we connected with showed their support in a big way," added McKibbin.

I Defy shows no sign of letting up any time soon. At the end of June the band is scheduled to record songs for their next release, a DVD is in postproduction, they have a track on the upcoming Tacoma Skate Compilation, and the band has also hinted at a possible split 7".

All this and more shows than you could imagine.

Most notably, I Defy will play Hell's Kitchen June 5 with American Wrecking Company, South Kitsap Infidels, Godspit, Sargent D and the Accused headlining.

"This is our fourth or fifth time playing with the Accused and it's always been a blast," says McKibbin. "It gets better every time. You won't see another show this intense."

I Defy

With The Accused, Godspit, Sargent D, and South Kitsap Infidels
Saturday, June 5, 9 p.m., $7
Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253.759.6003