Jan 23, 20233 min read

Punk Rocker And Libertarian Ron Lucker of 390

How long have you been writing music?

Ron Lucker: I started writing music back in the early 80s when we were playing in the early punk/new wave movement in the SoCal area. Our first band, The Hard, who played with such notables as The Dickies and The Descendants, broke up in the mid-80s. We went on to start families and careers. We picked things back up with The Hard in 08/09. We played support for such bands as Flock of Seagulls, Lemon Heads, and Smithereens. Due to a lack of progress and writing styles, we broke up as The Hard. Guitarist Eric Ferguson and I formed 390 in late 2015. I wrote much of our first album Punk Resurrection during the time between the break up of The Hard in 2012 and the formation of 390 in late 2015.

What are your influences? Who or what inspires you?

Ron: When it comes to my punk/alternative influences, I was heavily influenced by Paul Weller and The Jam. However, subconsciously, I believe I am influenced by who I listened to a lot as a kid. The Beatles, Neil Diamond, and Marty Robbins: I think that is where the melodic punk sound originates from.

What can you tell me about your most recent album Fight The Machine?

Ron: Fight The Machine is heavily inspired by our Libertarian mindset. For example, the song "Global Citizens' was inspired by a book titled "End of Doom" written by libertarian author Ronald Bailey. He wrote how things were looking good some time back (Fewer wars, the spread of "free markets" and the spread of democracy). However, I do think he has been proven wrong based on current events.

The title "Fight The Machine" has a double meaning for me. We not only need to stand up to the spread of The Administrative State in the US, but I was also taking a shot over the bow of many old-school and contemporary punkers who have embraced big authoritarian governments. I call them "Authoritarian Punks"

Do you create art with a specific message? Or do you prefer art for arts sake?

Ron: We create most of our songs with a specific message. What the culture lacks today is a popular anti-authoritarian punk movement. That's our message and that's our brand.

What is your creative process like? What tools and methods do you use to make your songs?

Ron: My creative process is pretty primitive. Songs either come to me (i.e, when I am driving to work, or when I wake up in the early morning, and a tune just comes to me). Or the other way I write is just messing around on the guitar and I accidentally stumble on something cool.

How long have you considered yourself a libertarian?

Ron: I have always had a pro-liberty streak. I left the Republican party back in the early 90s when Bush's boy Brent Scowcroft was toasting the CCP. In addition, I never appreciated how the Republican Party never really cared too much about black Americans.

I officially registered as a Libertarian in 2015 (I think). I hooked up with local libertarians, and we (390) did a couple of fundraisers with the Los Angeles and Orange County Libertarian parties. I was working with Angela McArdle (then the LA County Chair for the LP). Now Angela is the National Chair.

What do you think the role of art should be in the libertarian movement?

Ron: The role of art is huge. Culture can, and is, dramatically changed by art. How else did the left become so dominant in our culture? It controlled so many institutions driven by art. Music, comedy, and motion pictures. I have always argued that what is lacking in this culture today is a punk movement that pushes for liberty, anti-authoritarianism, limited government, etc. I don't know why our libertarian thinkers don't push this more. Tim Pool does, and he has started a music label.

Are you working on new music?

Ron: We are always working on new music. This is what motivates me the most. Hopefully, we will be back in the studio for our third album late this year.