Philadelphia Straight Edge band TrashxStrike have released a new EP. 'Core Values' is their second release after putting out a debut demo in September of 2025. Listen to the new record below.
We spoke to frontman Jake Collins about his band, and their new record.
We formed during the 2025 sanitation strike and have been trying to define what we describe ourselves as since we started, but we just sort of see ourselves as a band for everyone because what ended up happening was us just pouring as many influences as we could into a hardcore record. Building this album became about doing things that are uncomfortable whether, at least lyrically, that meant exploring a complex subject matter or just addressing something that we felt needed to be talked about more. And it turned out, just about every time, those ended up being the things that worked the best both lyrically and instrumentally.
When we started playing the song Core Values live, [it] became obvious very quickly that its message resonated with people.. It was the only option to make that the album title. Defense Forces felt very important because it’s talking about what is happening in more countries than I think many people even realize. A government regime trying to control, exile, or slaughter. These days, if you speak up about those things, you end up on a list. But hardcore has always been at its best when it has a message and a sense of community that isn’t afraid to bring awareness.
Being a straight edge band, we come across a lot of people intimidated by if it’s ok to wear one of our shirts if they’re not [Straight Edge] themselves. We find that to be an interesting dichotomy because yes we are that, but not only that, and don’t expect everyone to be exactly like us. Core Values is rooted in finding an inner balance and caring about others, and maybe that’s the identity we’ve been looking for the whole time.
'Core Values' was recorded at Captured Recording Studios with Jared Stimpfl. Mixing and mastering is by Pete Grossmann. Additional vocals recorded at South Street Sounds by Jason Jeffries. Gang vocals recorded at Spina Sound by Vince Spina. Photography by Nicholas Martini, Jackie Tomasco, and Jessi Reyes.
