Justin Pearson

Justin Pearson (born August 20, 1975) is a vocalist and bassist known for his music career, playing in a number of San Diego-based noise rock, punk and grindcore bands, as well as his record label Three One G Records. Starting off in the punk outfit Struggle in 1994, ensuing projects such as Swing Kids, The Locust, Dead Cross and Retox. He has collaborated with Kool Keith, Gabe Serbian, Karen O, Nick Zinner, Adam Gnade, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Asia Argento, The Bloody Beetroots, Silent, among many others. Pearson has been cited as an influence for his work in Swing Kids and The Locust on the genres of noise rock and powerviolence. Early life Justin Pearson was born on August 20, 1975, and initially raised in Phoenix, Arizona by his parents. He was an only child and went by the nickname J.P. Pearson has stated he liked music and the aesthetics of rock music since he was little. Around ten his mother's cousin let him borrow a guitar, and he eventually moved onto bass. He also began skateboarding and listening to the Thrasher skate/rock compilation tapes with bands like Septic Death, the Sex Pistols, The Misfits, and Suicidal Tendencies. He has stated he was especially drawn towards the music that touched on social politics. Pearson also got into break dancing and early rap like Run DMC and the Beastie Boys, as well as developing an interest in metal. In Phoenix he lived a couple blocks away from some of the members of Slayer. When Pearson was twelve years old his father was murdered. Later that year in 1987, Pearson and his mother moved to San Diego, California, specifically Clairemont. His mother's new boyfriend moved with them, and Pearson has stated that the man was physically and emotionally abusive towards both of them. At his new middle school he also faced death threats and attacks from skinhead students. Pearson continued to play guitar, taking a few lessons before teaching himself how to play the instrument with friends. At age 13 he met future collaborator Eric Allen. He met and befriended Matt Anderson of End of the Line at the age of 14. Pearson was soon exposed to the distinctive San Diego hardcore punk scene and began attending all the all-ages shows he could, discovering influential local bands such as Amenity, Heroin, Forced Down, Drive Like Jehu, and Crash Worship.