The Scene That Saves: An Interview with Angel Fischer from Hardcore For Pits West

By Staff | October 12, 2026

At 924 Gilman. Photo credit: Feral and Fab Photography 

When you think about pits in hardcore, you're usually envisioning people slamming into each other (hopefully not causing grievous bodily injury). Hardcore for Pits West has a slightly different focus.

Hardcore and pit bulls have always made a weird kind of sense together. Both get written off as dangerous until you actually spend time around them. This year’s Hardcore For Pits West is trying to turn that overlap into something useful: shows, an art show, and actual adoptions. We caught up with Angel to talk about how a community that already knows how to rebuild broken things ended up working with California Bully Rescue and turned a love for four-legged friends into a project of passion.

Welcome! What is it about hardcore and rescue dogs that makes them such a natural fit?

If you look at the problem as a whole, what it breaks down to is this, our system is set up to fail. Lack of resources for people struggling to take care of basic human needs like food and housing. Animals end up being surrendered or neglected, caught up in circumstances they don’t deserve. 

Hardcore music has always been about survival. About rebuilding things that are broken and leaving behind the things that no longer serve us. It’s about finding solutions within the community and acting with integrity.  

The issues we deal with every day can feel overwhelming.  And often times it makes people feel powerless, like a dog in a cage, waiting to die.  It’s that feeling that no one’s coming to save you.  It’s often referred to as “a voice for the voiceless” we can sit by and watch it happen, or we can make a choice to try and make it better.  Through education, advocation and rescue, we can help dogs and people.

For people who aren't familiar with the term, what exactly are high-risk dogs, and why do they need our help?

When it comes to being in a shelter, all dogs are at a high risk of being euthanized.  Shelters are over capacity, In 2024 alone over 500,000 dogs were surrendered to shelters nationally.  Individuals who buy from breeders, breed restrictions for housing and expenses related to medical bills are a few of the more common reasons pets are surrendered.

You've got some pretty legendary names playing the art show - how did Kevin Seconds, Russ Rankin, and Daniel Sant get involved?

Years back I walked into the Super 7 in the mission neighborhood.  My dog jojo and I came in to buy a Gorilla Biscuits Mask Daniel was wearing a hat with an X on it, and I had an Earth Crisis windbreaker on.  That was it.  From that moment on we were friends.  That’s how this community is.  

Kevin and Russ are actually cat guys, orange cats in particular.  I had the privilege of working a few shows with Good Riddance, Russ is very outspoken about animal liberation and welfare. Kevin’s niece Frankie is singing in Cross Checked, which helped get him on board.  He’s an incredible artist and human.

So to answer your question, I got lucky.

Fourteen bands, over 25 vendors, an art show, and a raffle — how the hell did you manage to pull all of this together?

In a word- community.

To be clear, I am not a booker or a promoter.  Just a girl trying to save some dogs. When I started seeking out bands I was overwhelmed with the amount of support we got locally.  Hardcore For Pits has been an annual event in New Jersey for over 8 years.Mike Judge has been involved, having adopted his pup from the rescue in Jersey.  He’s a huge supporter and advocate for what we are building.  

I have been fortunate to meet some pretty incredible people in the hardcore community over the years, which helped with networking.  The lineup was thought out and intentional.  I wanted to curate something that represented our community in the Bay Area, and you can’t really do that without 924 Gilman.  When we brought the idea to them they were more than willing to share the space and the volunteers to support us.  

Having an all ages venue was crucial, when I got into hardcore music I was just a kid.  It got me through some dark times.  This event is as much about sharing music either our friends as it is giving these dogs a second chance. As we get closer to the event, I have these brief moments of panic.  What if nobody comes? What if we don’t make our goal?

I find that when you have good intentions, and you are service minded, people want to support you.  Not everyone has the bandwidth to spin this many plates all at once. I got lucky. My friends, my community, they’re all finding ways to support, and I am learning so much along the way.  I’m incredibly grateful.

Hardcore for Pits 2026 New Jersey 

What can you tell us about California Bully Rescue and the work they're doing for these dogs?

California Bully Rescue is a Nonprofit specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation and advocacy for bully breeds.  They are a foster based organization which allows these dogs an opportunity to decompress and show their true personalities while living in a loving home.  

California Bully Rescue works with shelters who are over capacity, saving these pups from being euthanized.  They help provide training and medical care, while setting these pups up for adoption.  Their partnership throughout this process has been incredible. Claire has been my ride or die since day one.  I look forward to working with CBR going forward.

With adoption events happening both days, are you hoping people will actually go home with a new four-legged family member?

Everything we are doing here is in an effort to give these dogs the opportunity to show that pitbulls are not the unpredictable attack dogs they are often portrayed as. They will absolutely stick with you when everything else falls apart. “Like crew, like glue.”

Instead of VIP lanyards, the bands will have DIY lanyards with adoptable dogs as the image. On the back will be the dog’s information and a QR code for adoption information.

We will have fosters at both events advocating on behalf of their foster pups and helping them find the perfect forever home.

What's your long-term vision for Hardcore For Pits West, now that it's going to be an annual event?

Take action. I don’t expect anyone to replicate what we are doing here, but if one person walks away from these events feeling inspired to start a zine, pick up a microphone, start a band, take photos, or start volunteering, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.

We overcomplicate things that are simple. While you may not be able to change our country you can impact your block, and your neighborhood.  You can help rewrite the narrative about how this country is broken beyond repair, and you can influence the next generation to feel empowered to do the same.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, building collaboration and community through art, music and friendship.  Standing up against hate, giving a voice to the voiceless.

If you’re interested in doing something similar where you live, hit us up!

Anyone you'd like to thank for their support?

JJ, Flo, Antonette, Seb and our East Coast crew.  Mike Judge, Kevin Seconds, Daniel Sant. 

Duane from Sunblind who really came through on so many levels. RJ from Timeless Coffee.  Jose Alvarez, Jon Mayo and Nicolas Knox for the artwork! Brian Stern for printing our shirts.  Evan and Bully Boys Bakery for sponsoring us.  924 Gilman and Gilman Brewing.  Maria and all the volunteers at Gilman who have stepped up to help out.  Claire from CBR and all the Foster’s who help make this possible.  And of course the bands! B’LAST! Berthold City, Cross Checked, Caged View, Kind, Stay Down, Worst Ways, All Hope Lost, Sunblind,

Stand Tall, Slugger, Second Coming, Visual Discrimination, Discourage, Dislocation, and of course the artists and vendors.  Bill, who is a constant pain in the ass. And lastly my friends and family for letting me bounce all these ideas off of them.