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Al Barile, guitarist for pioneering Boston hardcore band SSD (aka SS Decontrol), has died at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer.
Barile had been battling colon cancer and other related health issues since being diagnosed with the disease in 2022. Barile’s wife, author Nancy Barile, confirmed the sad news of his passing on Instagram Sunday morning (April 6th), posting on her personal page and the official SS Decontrol Instagram:
“Hi Everyone, I wanted to let you know that Al Barile passed away this morning. I was with him. You all know he fought a hard, hard battle. He spent last day with Chris, Jaime, Angie, and his best, dear friend Scott, and me, and even though he was on comfort care, it was clear he knew we were all there, and he was so happy about that. I never met anyone who was his own person as much as Al was. No one made me laugh more. There was always a story. We loved each other unbelievably, and my heart is crushed into a million pieces. I am so incredibly grateful for our 43 years together. I can’t even think of how to go on without him, but I know he will ALWAYS be with me. I take great comfort especially, in knowing he and Flippy are now reunited. I want you all to know how much Al appreciated your outpouring of love to him. It truly meant a great deal to him. You know I will have a lot to say about Al’s time on this earth and his impact and his legacy, as the days go on, but for now, I’m going to need some time to be with my closest friends and family. I like this picture because if you look in the back, you can see me with a giant smile on my face, falling in love ~ Nancy”
In the wake of Nancy’s post, there’s been an outpouring of support from Al’s colleagues in the hardcore and straight-edge community. Shared Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front on Instagram:
“Rest In Peace Al. A true Legend and our guitar hero. We will deeply miss you brother. Our deepest condolences. Love and respect, Roger and Vinnie”
Fellow Bostonian hardcore act Ten Yard Fight shared:
“It’s safe to say that without Al Barile there would never be a Ten Yard Fight. The intersection of Boston, sports, and straight edge begins with Al and SS Decontrol. We are forever indebted to your influence. Rest in Peace.”
Barile helped form Society System Decontrol in 1981, with the name shortened to SS Decontrol for the band’s iconic 1982 full-length The Kids Will Have Their Say — a landmark album of the burgeoning straight-edge hardcore scene kicked off by Minor Threat a couple years prior.
That LP was followed by the Get It Away EP in 1983 and two more heavy-metal leaning albums in 1984 and 1985 under the SSD acronym/moniker before the band’s breakup. Despite its brevity, SSD’s influential run notched them an inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame this past February.
In the years following SSD, Barile and SSD bandmate/guitarist Francois Levesque formed a new group, Gage, in the 1990s, while Al also worked as an engineer for General Electric, per the LA Times.
Below you can see Nancy Barile’s statement, as well as the other tribute posts.
English (US) · 