ROCK IN DETROIT’S

JULY 2026

BAND OF THE MONTH:

 

3 THE HARDWAY

 

Rock in Detroit recently spoke with Sloppy Joel, Bustin’ Brooklyn, and Dan–guitar, drums/vocals and bass respectively–of 3 the Hardway, the swamp-infested, proto-punk/riot grrrl band from Detroit, MI

ROCK IN DETROIT: 3 the Hardway have been a two-piece combo and a three-piece. Have you ever consider bringing in a second guitar or keys as well? 4 the Hardway, so to speak.

BROOKLYN: We’re just rock ‘n’ rolling how we are. That’s on someone to jump in like “Put me in coach!”

JOEL: We have dabbled with the idea of bringing in a saxophonist for a project, but there is nothing concrete in the works with that. I think synth would be sick. Frank plays keyboard too, so you never know.

ROCK IN DETROIT: Do you guys see yourselves as a “political band,” however you might want to define that term? Does the band have a political leaning? Or philosophy?

BROOKLYN: Fuck I.C.E. Fuck Data Centers. Fuck all that AI shit. It’s not in all the lyrics, but we have strong views against the system in place. But our philosophy is mainly “Don’t fucking worry ‘bout it.”

JOEL: We wanna bring people together. Some of our songs are very personal experiences, but even those can be politicized. I’d say we’re into anarchy. Against the current totalitarian government. We’re into disrupting the natural flow and being subversive through art.

ROCK IN DETROIT: If you could open for any band (past, present or future), who would it be?

BROOKLYN: The Cramps, of course

JOEL: The Cramps.

FRANK: The Doors.

ROCK IN DETROIT: You’ve played shows large and small, in-state and elsewhere. Any shows, or moments in shows, that are particularly memorable for you?

BROOKLYN: Getting to play with The Meteors! It was cool just like sharing the stage with them. That was iconic.

JOEL: We loved playing in Hamilton, Ontario. Everybody was very cool.

FRANK: Our Hamtramck Blowout set was cool. It was packed and I had never been there.

ROCK IN DETROIT: You released your first ep, “Cost of Living,” on vinyl and cassette. There probably aren’t a lot of cassette releases these days. What was your thinking there?

JOEL: I started collecting them when I started driving. My first car in highschool had a tape deck. I love that you can listen to an album through without any commercials. They’ve definitely made a comeback in recent years. People like them, they’re easy to produce.

ROCK IN DETROIT: Cost of Living has a definite no-wave feel to it. Do you feel that your music has moved away from that with songs like Oldest Friend and Zoned Out?

JOEL: All three of those came from our debut album, but we only still play Cost of Living. They are songs that Ary (our old guitarist) wrote. So if anything I think the music has moved away from songs like Zoned Out and Oldest Friend. They are more quick and punchy than Cost of Living, but still sound like us.

ROCK IN DETROIT: You’ve had TV and radio exposure, have toured the mid-West and Canada, played a ton of gigs–what do you consider the secret of your success?

BROOKLYN: Keep going–Don’t stop, won’t stop. You gotta put yourself out there.

JOEL: It’s nothing but a cup of coffee in the big time. Ya get up and get it. We love music and making music. Just do what you love–true rock and roll heart.

ROCK IN DETROIT: How would you define success when it comes to music?

BROOKLYN: Gold record yaaaa. Actually serving the art, not letting it die.

JOEL: Being able to keep it going, for sure. It’s fun to play, and I’d like to do it all over the world.

FRANK: Probably making money on tour.