Interview: I.D.K.

Following the release of their latest single, “Nark 5,” we sat down I.D.K. to peel back the layers of their catchy, memorable, and energetic sound.

In this conversation, we dive deep into the thematics driving their lyrics, thoughtful songwriting and composing process that allows them to balance hardcore punk energy with a larger-than-life scale. We also get a glimpse into what’s next for the band, including their upcoming music video collaboration with Stone Fisted Production and their ambitious plans for the future.

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Hello, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. How have you been? 

I have been well. Can’t complain.

It’s been over a decade since your last original release. Coming back in late 2025, did “Nark 5” feel like the natural first choice for a comeback, or were there other tracks in contention?                                                                                                                              

No other tracks when we wrote Nark 5. Nark 5 was the spark that drew us out of the life cave and back into the creative expressive side of the world. We are working on more tracks now but at that time our goal was to get a fresh new tune out there.

You’ve cited Star Wars: Andor as the primary catalyst for this track.                              What was it about the Narkina 5 that specifically resonated with the punk rock ethos of I.D.K.? 

Just like in life, there’s always a fight. There’s always some force trying to wreck something good, trying to inject chaos into what’s working. It never stops. It’s always something.

To me, punk is about doing your thing and saying fuck everything else. Fuck the noise. Fuck the pressure. Fuck anyone trying to tell you who you’re supposed to be. The second you cross the line and violate my freedom — or anyone else’s — then it’s on. That’s when it shifts from punk rock to a hardcore beatdown, metaphorically speaking… or in the case of the prison break, literally.

Nark 5 is about the Empire’s bullying — about being pushed, controlled, and locked down — and then finally fighting back. It’s about breaking out and crushing the bully at the end of the prison break arc. That moment? That’s punk rock at its purest.

The song shifts between the perspectives of Cassian Andor (Keef Girgo) and Kino Loy. How did you approach translating those two very different emotional states, the confusion of capture versus the desperate leadership of an escape, into the music?

I feel like both situations share that same kind of crazy intensity. There’s the mental shock of being taken against your will, and then there’s the raw, survival-mode intensity of a life-or-death situation.

I knew right away that both of those moments matched the energy of the music. So what I did was split the song in half — the first half captures the abduction, and the second half drives the prison break.

You also plan to release a music video, done by Stone Fisted Production. How do you feel the visual narrative enhances the cinematic sound you were aiming for?

The video is almost finished. Nedd from Stone Fisted is doing an incredible job with it — he’s really bringing it to life. It’s currently in the post-production phase, and we’ll be announcing a premiere date soon.

I think people are really going to dig it. It’s a great blend of our live performance energy with the Narkina 5 imagery and concept woven throughout. We had a lot of people help us make it happen, and it’s definitely going to be a fun one.

How has the songwriting dynamic changed between you all since your 2008 releases? Is the process more collaborative now, or does it still start with a singular spark?

With Nark 5, the process was more collaborative. The initial spark came from Fabio and Mike, whereas I’m usually the primary songwriter.

Our 2008 EP was officially released in 2008, but it had actually been recorded a few years earlier. Those songs were created in a less collaborative environment, although all the members at the time still weighed in and gave their input on the material.

You’ve described the new sound as having cinematic dynamics. For a veteran hardcore punk band, how do you balance that grander, more polished scale without losing the raw, basement-show energy fans expect?

I’d say Nark 5, especially when combined with the video we’re making for it, has a very cinematic vibe. The song tells a story you can really visualize through the lyrics and the energy it gives off.

The video leans into that as well — there’s a strong cinematic feel, with storytelling woven into the visuals. That said, we feel it still falls right in line with our previous material sonically. The grit? That really comes out in our live shows — and that hasn’t changed.

Musically, “Nark 5” feels so precise. Did the long break change how you approach your instruments or the gear you use in the studio?

Not at all. In terms of playing and our overall approach, we stuck to what we’ve always done. 

“Nark 5” deals with the cost of freedom. In today’s political and social climate, do you find yourselves writing more about fictional resistances as a metaphor, or do real-world events still bleed into the lyrics?

A little of both. It’s nearly impossible to keep the real world from bleeding into the lyrics — especially with Nark 5, given the current political and social climate.

How does the North Jersey/Cliffside Park scene look to you in 2026 compared to when you were last active? Is that old guard spirit still there?

It absolutely is. I.D.K. will forever be associated with being one of — if not the first — hardcore/punk bands from the area to really make a mark.

There aren’t necessarily as many shows happening like there were back in the day, at least to our knowledge, but people remember. The spirit is still there, and it gets passed down to the younger kids.

Whenever we play gigs up in the North Jersey area, there are always Cliffside and Fairview people representing at the shows.

You’re now releasing via Scorpion Records across platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp, tools that weren’t the standard back in 2008. How has navigating the modern digital landscape changed your perspective on being an independent band?

It hasn’t necessarily changed our perspective. What it has done is give us more tools at our disposal when it comes to promoting and getting the music out there — which is cool.

Does it take a little away from the more socially organic way things used to work — passing music through friends, grabbing a physical CD or record, and not having access to it outside of that? Sure.

There are pluses and minuses to it.

Hardcore and punk have undergone numerous sub-genre shifts over the last 15 years. What’s your take on the current state of the genre? Is it healthier now than it was during your hiatus?

That’s hard to say. I’m an older head, so I’ll always love what I experienced growing up in the New Jersey hardcore scene in the ’90s. I don’t get out to see shows as much as I’d like to these days, so it’s tough to really speak on the current live gig vibe.

I do follow newer bands online, though, and there are a lot of great ones out there — especially the heavier beatdown and metal-influenced hardcore bands. From what I can see from a distance, that scene is raging.

I don’t see as many bands like us, with more of a traditional punk/hardcore influence in the style. But that could also just be me being a little out of touch, haha.

“Nark 5” is the lead-in for a new EP on Scorpion Records. Can we expect a full concept record based on similar themes, or will the EP explore different territories?

Good question. We’re in the process of putting the music together now. Once we get into writing the lyrics, we’ll see where it takes us. It’s hard to say right now.

Now that the music is out and the video is on its way, what do the touring plans look like for 2026? 

We haven’t played any gigs yet since the release of Nark 5, but we’re definitely excited to see how the crowds react — especially once the video drops.

How are the new tracks, especially “Nark 5,” translating to a live setting? Is there a specific moment in the song where you really feel the crowd rising up with you?

Again, we haven’t gigged since the releasee so, we shall see!

What do you want the “2020s era” of I.D.K. to be remembered for? Is this a one-off reunion, or is the engine fully restarted for the long haul?

I’d say we’re like an engine that moves steadily, going where it can, when it can. Yes — we’d love to keep this going for the long haul. Our pace and the way we approach it will ultimately determine that.

That’s it. Thank you so much for your time. Anything you would like to say to our readers at the end of this interview?

Absolutely. First, we want to shout out our friend—and sometimes sixth member—Scott Dorey, who’ll be helping with guitar duties at our upcoming March 7th gig in Morris Plains New Jersey at the Autodidact.

Also, Nedd Jacobs and Stone Fisted Productions, who directed our upcoming Nark 5 music video. He’s doing a great job, and we can’t wait to release it.

We also want to give a shout-out to Scott Earth of Scorpion Records to help with our releases and promotion.

Last but certainly not least, our families—for putting up with the noise and the scheduling. I.D.K. simply wouldn’t happen without their support.