No Bragging Rights Vocalist Mike Perez: 5 Albums That Changed My Life

No Bragging Rights don't wear eyeliner. They also don't spend hours and a ton of money on their hair. Yep, instead of worrying about the way their jeans look, the Riverside, Calif. hardcore merchants focus their energy on writing the most energetic, impactful songs they can.

The band's hard work is evident in Cycles, No Bragging Rights' brand new album. Songs like "Repeater" and "Hope Theory" jump out at you with impassioned vocals, driving rhythms and infectious melodies. Fans of Rise Against, Sick of it All and Strike Anywhere will definitely dig the tuneage.

In honor of Cycles hitting stores this week, Noisecreep asked No Bragging Rights vocalist Mike Perez to take part in our ongoing 'Five Albums That Changed My Life' series.

A Place Called Home, Ignite (2000)

"Being a singer who does both singing/screaming. I reached a point where I felt I needed to drop the singing side of my vocals and focus more on screaming. A Place Called Home was the first "hardcore" album I owned where the singing was all clean vocals. Zoli's voice is so aggressive, passionate, and powerful, it felt like is voice and words blew right through your face. I wanted to model my voice after him. It was life changing. Their later album, Our Darkest Days, was what solidified my decision to always pursue singing the best I can over heavy/fast music."

Dookie, Green Day (1994)

"I didn't realize I liked punk rock until my best friends brother pointed out that all the bands I liked from the radio (The Offspring, Rancid, Face to Face) weren't just rock bands, but punk rock bands. I heard "Basket Case" and was immediately hooked. Dookie was the first album I owned. I bought it with the birthday money I got for my 11th birthday. I played it religiously."

Evil Empire, Rage Against the Machine (1996)

"The first time I heard RATM, I had a hard time trying to understand what I was hearing. It was it was rock, rap, hardcore with a punk rock message. It was perfect. Evil Empire is an album I played from start to finish more times than I can count. Zack's lyrics were fun dissecting because at the time I felt like I understood only about 10% of the words or topics he was talking about. Even though I may have not understood the full extent of his message, I felt the conviction in his voice and how he delivered it."

Punk In Drublic, NOFX (1994)

"Still an album I'll play in its entirety. This album transitioned me from the radio rock punk bands to more underground punk. For a band with super crude album covers and lyrics, they wrote good songs. Cool harmonies, riffs, and clever lyrics. And for a punk rock recording, especially for its time, Punk In Drublic is pretty solid."

Comes from the Heart, Stick to Your Guns (2008)

"In time when I was becoming numb to the state of music and the music scene. STYG was a refreshing wake up call. A band with a message and who played with so much passion. I felt they were really genuine and the songs off Comes from the Heart were the right songs I needed to hear at that point in my in my life. We've had the awesome opportunity to play shows with them throughout the years and my respect for them and their music hasn't changed. Great band and great album."

Watch No Bragging Rights' 'Hope Theory' Lyric Video

Cycles hits stores tomorrow, Oct. 16, via Good Fight/eOne. Pick up your copy on iTunes!

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