Description
The Faction – Yesterday Is Gone – White Vinyl Record
Yesterday Is Gone is a compilation album by The Faction, released in 1983. Known as one of the earliest skate punk bands, The Faction formed in San Jose, California, in the early 1980s. Their music captures the high-energy lifestyle and DIY ethos of skate culture, combining hardcore punk’s speed and aggression with lyrics that reflect life on the streets and the thrill of skating. Featuring famed skateboarder Steve Caballero on bass, The Faction helped create a strong link between punk rock and skateboarding, influencing generations of punk and skate bands that followed.
The Faction was formed in 1982, during a time when hardcore punk was thriving in California, and skateboarding was on the rise as a subcultural movement. The band’s lineup on Yesterday Is Gone includes vocalist Gavin O’Brien, guitarist Ray Stevens II, bassist Steve Caballero, and drummer Keith Rendon. Known for their fast tempos, straightforward riffs, and aggressive energy, The Faction’s sound embodies the raw, unpolished qualities of early hardcore punk. Their music often explores themes of youth rebellion, the challenges of growing up, and, of course, the skateboarding lifestyle.
Yesterday Is Gone compiles tracks from the band’s early years, including demos, live recordings, and studio tracks, providing listeners with an authentic glimpse into their formative sound. The songs on this album showcase The Faction’s relentless energy and dedication to skate culture, making it a definitive release for fans of skate punk and early California hardcore.
Key Tracks
Yesterday Is Gone – The title track is a fast, anthemic song about moving on and leaving the past behind. Its lyrics speak to the angst and restlessness of youth, capturing the album’s themes of defiance and self-determination.
The themes on Yesterday Is Gone revolve around rebellion, independence, and the skateboarding lifestyle. The lyrics often express the frustration of growing up under societal expectations and the need to escape through skateboarding and punk rock. The Faction’s music is inherently tied to the sense of freedom and camaraderie that skateboarding offers, with many songs capturing the adrenaline and rebellious spirit of the culture.
The production on Yesterday Is Gone is intentionally raw, reflecting the DIY ethic of early punk. The album’s gritty, unpolished sound amplifies the authenticity and energy of the band’s live performances, giving it a garage punk feel that complements the rebellious attitude of the lyrics.
Yesterday Is Gone has become an essential release in skate punk history, appreciated for its raw sound and authentic representation of skateboarding culture. The Faction’s music played a key role in cementing the relationship between punk rock and skateboarding, a connection that has since become integral to both cultures. Tracks like “Skate and Destroy” became anthems within the skateboarding community, helping to establish The Faction as pioneers of the skate punk genre.
The Faction’s influence extended well beyond the 1980s, inspiring later generations of punk and skate punk bands, including groups like Suicidal Tendencies, NOFX, and Pennywise. Their music has also appeared in numerous skate videos, keeping their legacy alive among new generations of skaters and punk fans.
Yesterday Is Gone remains a significant album for its authentic portrayal of skate culture and its impact on the punk scene. The Faction’s gritty sound, skate-centric themes, and unfiltered lyrics embody the raw energy of 1980s skate punk, capturing a time when punk and skateboarding were both forms of rebellion and self-expression. For fans of skate punk and California hardcore, Yesterday Is Gone is a foundational record that continues to inspire and resonate in skate parks and punk scenes around the world.
Record Store Day 2016 Release. 1500 pressed.
Featuring legendary pro skater (and founding member) Steve Caballero, this is the first FACTION record ever released. Originally released in 1983 and as a 7′ limited to 1000 copies. Out of print now for around 32 years; this is now being reissued as a 12′ restored and remastered for a louder, better sound then ever before! This also contains two extra songs that were not on the original release (both being on the Thrasher Skate Rock Volume 1 comp!).
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Room
Eternal Plan
Black Balled
Yesterday Is Gone
Bullets Are Faster Than Words
A.U.K
Boredom Awaits
