Alan Barile 1961 – 2025
Alan Scott Barile, 63, originally of Lynn, MA, passed away peacefully at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, with his wife, Nancy, at his side, on April 6, 2025. Born on October 4, 1961, Al was the much-loved and spoiled child of his parents, Aldo and Betty Barile, whom he adored. As a child, Al enjoyed performing daredevil stunts on his bike with his friends, making Dracula movies, and wreaking havoc. He loved playing sports, especially hockey, and he was fiercely devoted to his Boston sports teams. In high school, Al was on the ice hockey and golf teams and was a member of the Audio-Visual Club and National Honor Society.
A huge music fan, Al grew up listening to AC/DC, Van Halen, and Cheap Trick. Rick Nielsen was Al’s guitar hero. After hearing the Ramones, Al decided to put down his hockey stick and pick up a guitar. With Jaime Sciarappa, Chris Foley, and Springa, he created Society System Decontrol (SSD). After learning about “straight edge,” a term coined in a song by Ian MacKaye of the band Minor Threat, Al became a strong proponent of straight edge, embracing the no drinking/no drugs coda that provided kids with a CHOICE from the typical ‘70s suburban party lifestyle. Al worked to build a hardcore scene in Boston, one that featured all ages shows. The loyal supporters of SSD, called the Boston Crew, remained Al’s lifelong friends. SSD played throughout the U.S., and in Montreal and Quebec City. The band made its mark on music history, with bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Fu Manchu wearing SSD tees on stage and citing the band as an influence. Al and SSD were thrilled when Trust Records re-issued the SSD catalogue beginning in 2023.
In the 1990s, Al decided to create another band, and Gage was born. Al played bass in Gage, and the band’s strong songwriting quickly helped them develop a dedicated following, especially in the greater Boston area, where they played the Warped Tour several times and nearly every Boston music venue.
After high school, Al began working as a machinist at General Electric. Within a few years, he decided to become an engineer and attended Northeastern University, where he received his bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. Al’s brilliant mind and way of approaching issues, made him an innovative and highly successful engineer. Al worked for G.E. for 35 years, until back issues, which the company would not accommodate, forced him to retire on disability.
Through SSD, Al met the love of his life, Nancy, when she bought the SS Decontrol record in Philadelphia, and called Al, hoping to book the band into a show she was promoting in Philly. Nancy and Al were together 43 years, and their support of each other was legendary.
The friendships Al made in his life were so important to him, especially the ones he had with his band mates, Jaime Sciarappa and Chris Foley. It was Al’s almost lifelong friendship with his childhood friend, Scott Brown, that truly sustained Al when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022. Scott’s devotion to Al, taking Al to chemotherapy appointments, and never leaving his side when he was hospitalized, was remarkable and so appreciated by both Al and Nancy. Al chronicled his journey with colon cancer on social media, urging his followers to get colonoscopies and to be proactive about their health.
Al was predeceased by his father, Aldo, his mother Pearl (Betty), and his beagle, Flippy. Nancy takes comfort in knowing that Flippy and Al are now reunited.
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What an amazing life. So many wonderful articles, written about his music! Our sincere condolences to Nancy and the family. So sorry about the loss of Al 🙁
Dear Nancy
An amazing life Al lead along with you for 43 years. Always will be your angel in heaven watching over you. Love never dies I so believe this . Please know my sincere condolences are with you
Sincerely
Lois Diamond
A life well lived. RIP Al.
My heart truly goes out to you and your family and friends ❤️ Crystal
on angles wings 😞
An amazing human! I first met Al at GE in the late 80s, but I already knew his music and reputation. As a 20-something “kid”, that was a thrill for me to cross paths with this legend. We wouldn’t meet again until the SSD book launch in 2023 at which point I was well aware of his health struggles. Nancy and Al have been an inspiration to everyone they’ve crossed paths with…including myself. Rest in peace Al. You deserve it! Steve.
Rest in Peace and Hardcore. Thanks for the uncompromising honesty and energy.
Nancy, I’ve been following your story and vividly remember SS Decontrol in a very early show at Emerson. They were hypnotic and I learned right away to watch from a DISTANCE — if I didn’t want to lose my pen and reporter notebook. He got to live a ferocious and peaceful life full of love and music — as well as finding sounds that frankly didn’t exist before HC and that band. No regrets. Much love and admiration / Sally
Al gave so much to so many; music, a place to be, a place to belong, choices to kids who hadn’t realized there were any. Sleep with the Angels, rest in peace, no more pain now, dear Al.
Our hearts go out to Nancy and Al. I finally had the unexpected opportunity to meet Al a few weeks ago. Been following Al for years via Nancy, a high school friend. The world looses amazing people like Al everyday. This guy was amazing.
RIP big guy!
Al was a larger than life guy that positively affected so many. His reach was beyond here in the Boston area, with many globally revering his music. I hope Al is in a better place now and give my sincere condolences to his wife Nancy.
Ill never forget the feeling I had when I first listened to SSD. Al has been a great inspiration and influence for me. Rest in peace Al.
One of my biggest influences. So down to earth, tell it like it is. His life and music will continue to inspire and remain a pillar in the hardcore community for eternity. R.I.P. Al Barile, you will be forever loved and missed. My condolences to you Nancy…💛🖤👊
Rest in Power, Al! Your legacy will forever live on 🪽❤️you made this world a better place
Am sending you heartfelt condolences.
I never met Al in person, but his music and outlook had a huge impact on me. Seeing those powerful images of him playing live I just knew I needed to hear his band, and boy, did SSD blow me away with their intensity and power. One of the true OGs of hardcore.
Al left a deep mark on me personally, we never met in person…but his influence reached me, even the fact we live super far away from each other. His music and message is one that will live forever in many hearts and minds all across the globe, that’s such a beautiful and inspiring thing. We got to know better during covid, where we worked on SSD covid masks…we talked on-line about politics, hardcore and sadly about the illness and health issues…everyday I followed his and Nancy’s stories….I keep on doing what I do for the last 40 years, at least spinning once a week a SSD record/track.
Rest in POWER Al.
PS: Nancy, you are an incredible great and caring person…my love and wishes of courage go out to you!!!! Let’s keep in touch.
You will forever be an inspiration to many generations of Punks and Skins, your music has been a profound influence on me and many of my friends.
Boston Crew Forever, Rest In Power
My deepest condolences.
Rest in power Al and thanks for all your music!
My heart goes out to everyone who knew Al personally, to his wife Nancy and to his family.
Thank you for the all the music and for giving a new meaning to sXe.
Beautiful. What a force. Thanks for everything Al.
My life could have gone in a very different way was it not for people like Al. When i was on the verge of developing drinking problem at 16, i made the decision to become straight edge. As a teenage straight edge (antiracist) skinhead, Al was the one figure i looked up to and aspired to be like. What he’s done with SSD saved lives. It kept so many people like me from going the wrong direction, from wasting our life away in self-destruction and addiction. That is no small accomplishment. In that sense, he’s become immortal, as i’m sure many generations to come will too discover his music and his message.
I never knew him, but it did hurt when i woke up to the news of him passing away. That 16 years old kid in my heart is mourning his hero.
To the friends and family who knew him as a person, i cant imagine what you are going through. Especially Nancy. You and Al looked so in love, inseparable and dedicated to each other, this is the love story i aspire to. I offer my deepest condolences to you.
Every time i will drive by the CEGEP Sainte-Foy in Québec city, i’ll think of how i wish i could have been there at that SSD show in the 80’s.
Rest in peace Al, thank you for everything.
A life well lived, a true inspiration to strive for achieve MORE and the SOUL of Boston Hardcore. The hardcore scene thanks you. Like Glue, Like Crew. FOREVER.
R.I.P and salutes from Mar del Plata, Argentina
Incredible words about an incredible man. A man who left a lasting legacy both by his music and by his strength and humbleness during his illness. Even though I didnt personally know Al it feels like I did as I often checked his post on social media. His story is of bravery and uniqueness and a true love story that transcends others. My sincerest condolences to Nancy and everyone connected to Al. RIP LethAL, the kids had their say, always and forever!
RIP Al, although I didn’t know you personally, SSD meant so much to me growing up in terms of choosing to be straight-edge and to not succumb to peer pressure. God bless
Al was one of the smartest engineers that I’ve worked with and was key to the successful testing of major component development vehicles.
My deepest sympathies!
Rest in peace Al!
I am proud to be a part of the birth of Hardcore with so many amazing musicians and artists , it’s a community . Al will always be known as one of the best at his craft , a brutal guitar riff master , a wise guy a jokester with a big heart . I did not know you but I know you thru your music . Love and respect