One might suggest that it's hard to get to know Face To Face. Were they mercurial, trans-genre rock cynics? Or are they legends, deserving of credit only for starting a Southern California punk revival steeped in fierce but eloquent songwriting, yet ultimately over-taken by the group's more image-conscious pop progeny? All suggestions aside, the fact is that Face to Face were something more than the torch lighters, or the benevolent architects of somebody else's punk rock. The fact is that Face To Face earned their respect each sold out night on each increasingly successful tour after each unique, powerful and personal recording they’ve released. And the fact remains that there wasn’t a more talented, committed or important American punk band to arrive in the last 15 years.

After a meteoric rise from So Cal punk obscurity in the early '90s, Face To Face maintained their devoted following by consistently releasing superior material and touring slavishly. Perhaps victims of their own success, the band sold more than half of a million records without much notice or assistance from the corporate rock marketing machinery. Early career decisions to do business with major labels paradoxically led to reduced exposure for the group while they continued to expand their fan base and headline larger and larger venues. While unproven alternative acts were fattening label rosters and modern-rock playlists with forgettable faux-angst posturing, Face To Face had to create their own buzz via punishing live shows and material that transcends fashion. It was this work ethic and the remarkable dedication of their fans that will keep Face To Face as one of the forerunners of their generation of punk rock.