Whereas once there was a clear division between hardcore and punk shows, Dress Code has been working to bridge that gap and bring a more diverse crowd. Each member's roots in scenes such as metal or punk have helped the band bring people out who wouldn't normally be friends with each other, and their ability to blend into different groups has already helped them.

On Dress Code's first tour last month, they would be on all straight-edge bills that were over by 10 p.m. only to play a punk show the next night that didn't even begin until after midnight. The band feels that ability to appeal to different crowds has helped bring out people who wouldn't normally talk to each other and help break down divisions within the city to a degree.

"There's always going to be a division, but it's a healthy division," says Rubio. "It's not sectarian. It's unity within diversity. Every hardcore band is about positivity and unity, but for us it's a diverse unity. There's always going to be people from different walks of life. That tension is cool I think."

With a growing scene, the band is now among many like-minded hardcore and punk groups in the city, along with bands like Paranoid Chant, Sex Pill, United Races, Common Ignorance and Back to Back. At venues like Walters, Black Barbie, and Mango's, which is unfortunately shutting down, Dress Code has been able to foster a growing hardcore scene in the city.

Having just put out their first EP physically, the band has hopes of recording a 7", but has no definite plans. Tonight, they open a show at Walters with one Texas' bigger hardcore bands, Power Trip, which Dress Code is excited about.

"I've seen Power Trip what feels like a thousands times, and I'll never get tired of seeing them," Duarte says.

Note: this article was altered after publication to correct the label to Schizoid Unit Records.

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