This is the 6th year of JAG. Since it started in 2020, it's grown a ton. I believe the first year and maybe the second, Zack booked by himself. When did you, Caleb and Matt join him in Brainstem and start helping booking JAG/shows in general?

Brainstem has always been more than a 1 man operation. We’ve all been here since the beginning and putting in work for Brainstem shows in general and JAG.

This year is the first one that JAG is moving from Real Art to the Airport Tavern. Obviously the fest has grown, and it's cool that it only has to move two doors down for a new location. How was working with the people at Airport for booking? What's the difference in capacity and how were they with it being an all ages show since it is a tavern? How were they with it being a hardcore show? I know some venues that don't typically have them can be put off by aggressive music.

The people at Airport FUCKING ROCK. It’s been an incredibly easy process working with them and getting JAG set up. Dan from the jump once dates were confirmed worked to make sure it could be all ages, especially because all ages is very important to us at Brainstem. They seem really stoked on having a hardcore show there and would love to do more than just JAG so we’re all hoping to see that in the future.

JAG is and always has been DIY with no sponsors, which kicks ass. Obviously having sponsorships would help with extra cash to book bands, cover flyout/hotel costs and all that. Not having those hasn't seemed to stop yall from being able to bring out awesome bands. Is not having any sponsors something you find challenging for the fest?

DIY TILL WE DIE. Honestly, its been nice to be able to run our fest the way we want without having to involve other people and worry about what we are or aren’t allowed to do because they are giving us money. Not having that extra money can be a challenge but we prefer to have bands play that WANT to play a true hardcore fest and not just looking for a payday. We have curated a fest that holds true to the name Just Another Gig and that is what we emphasize when talking to bands and agents. Our fest is different than the rest and bands feel that when they come play.

The line up this year is wild. I think the only time Buried Alive ever played here was in the late 90's and was in a garage in Burien if I remember right from what I've been told. To think they are playing Tacoma 25+ years later is crazy. How long ago did you guys reach out to them to start getting them locked in for playing this year?

Buried Alive has been a bucket list band for us to book in previous years and we’re thrilled that we are finally able to make it work. Hanna said “I’m gonna shoot our shot” and it worked. Their set is going to be great we’re all really looking forward to it.

There's some bands that are coming back for another JAG appearance (Gridiron, Mind Force, Big Boy, Scarab, and others). Who of the bands that are coming back from out of town are you most excited to see?

All of them honestly, we wouldn’t have asked if we weren’t excited to see all of them! We’re glad they’re all willing and able to come back out.

 POWER. I can't put into words how happy it makes me to see the boys back and playing a show again. Most people were either at their set at the last Rainfest or for the younger generation, they've at least seen the video of their set. When did you know that they were going to be able to play this year and how hard was that to keep to yourself?

They mentioned to us that they were interested and that’s a no brainer for us. Power is a special band so when they brought it up we said “fuck yeah we have a spot for yall” and that’s really all there was to it. It was really hard to keep to ourselves just because we were all excited but part of the fun of announcements is knowing you’ve got something special cooking and seeing other people get excited about it. We are really stoked to see them again and for people who never got to experience Power get to see it for the first time.

There's a bunch of great locals playing this year like there always are. Which NWHC band(s) are you most excited for this year?

We’re lucky to be in a scene where our local bands fucking rip. Choosing locals can be really difficult because there’s a ton of bands who we love and want to have play but there’s only so many spots. We try really hard to highlight locals who have done a lot for the scene and who are really proud to be apart of NWHC and are really involved in what happens here. We’re stoked for all of them and we’re stoked for anyone who might be attending JAG from out of town to get to see bands from here.

Every year, there is a local band, whose set pops like crazy. Sometimes it's a band that's been around for a bit and other times it's a younger band. Last year, that set belonged to SPURR without question. What band do you think will have that sort of set this year?

Skelm for sure would be our bet. Spurr gets better every time we see them so were sure their set will be crazy again. Bands like Apex Predator and End of Dayz always pop off so we definitely expect to see that again. Again, the cool part about NWHC is our local bands are good and people really show out for the locals, as they should.

Looking back on previous years, what are some of your favorite memories and sets from JAG?

Booking Killing Time’s first ever West Coast show was all time bucket list for us. The first Queensway set at JAG was fucking nuts and a highlight for sure. Looking back on having Gulch, Scowl, and Hands of God on JAG is also pretty badass to think about considering where some of them are at now as bands. Some of our favorite memories revolve around getting to bring bands out to the Northwest who have not been out here before or who may not be able to outside of JAG.

Straight up, thanks for all y’all do with JAG and Brainstem shows year around. Having fests close to home isn't something that i take for granted. Apart from JAG, what are some shows recently that Brainstem has put on that you really enjoyed?

In all honesty, we book shows and bands that we enjoy and want to see. We’re all here and involved for the love of the game and so all the shows we book were stoked on and stoked to be able to go to. Northwest hardcore is alive and well and its awesome to see.