Back-to-their-roots return for Israel’s finest hardcore punk band. While celebrating their twentieth year as a punk band in 2015, Useless ID were determined to make a strong, back to their roots, explosive punk rock record that would sum up their frustration, anger, love and hope. What they endeavored to create is a defining Useless ID album: State Is Burning. For over two decades, Useless ID has been writing, recording and touring all over the globe. No college, no military service (nearly mandatory in Israel), no careers, just doing what they love. Doing what they felt incredibly lucky to be doing, never resting, never complacent, and never making the same album twice. Like most bands with this type of longevity, Useless ID has seen highs and lows, luck and the total lack of it, walking hand in hand at every turn. From basements to arenas, from tour buses to long walks with gear on their backs; from producing albums in torn up studios in Israel to making albums at The Blasting Room in America, Useless ID has experienced it all. With their first new album in four years, Useless ID wanted to share their world with the rest of the world. Four friends, four punks, who have been through it all together, coming from such an unusual place. Guitarist Ishay Berger says, “State Is Burning is a love letter to punk rock. It’s our ‘fuck off’ to the closed minded, racist, orthodox state of mind. It’s also our statement against greedy, hateful, harmful and criminal politicians that still walk proud and in power.” Guitarist Guy Carmel adds, “We wanted to start dealing more with other issues, less personal and more global. It all made sense coming from this place (Israel) that the media has so much to say about but half of the time doesn’t even know or understand at all.
