While sitting down with a few of the members from Bremerton’s strong willed fast-core band YIA and listening to its latest CD “Heroes Come Home in Boxes,” bassist Greg Rivers enters the room with a six-pack.

“It’s some of the worst beer I’ve ever tasted … it’s got four different aftertastes,” four of the worst kinds you can imagine, Rivers said. “Anybody want one?”

Even with that description, there’s a resounding “yes” and a round for the room follows.

Then to Rivers — who just joined the band in December, 2006 — the question is posed, “What made you want to be a part of YIA?”

“It’s punk rock,” he said.

The potent message behind that simple statement is the crux which created the band and has sustained its music and message for more than five years.

“We aren’t looking to break down no barriers, we’re just looking to play the same crappy punk rock that we grew up on,” said lead singer, Greg’s brother Donny Rivers. “There’s a lot of substance to that when all of your friends are together and singing all the words … it’s more true to life.”

The true life, according to YIA, is relayed on their newest CD which will be available March 24 at a six-band release party presented by Artists for Freedom and Unity at the Silverdale Community Center — 9729 Silverdale way. Port Orchard punk rock from Dead, White and Blue will open the show at 5 p.m.

“It’s about damn time we put out a new CD,” said YIA guitarist Andy More “We have an assortment (of songs) … it’s the best of what we’ve had over the past five years.”

“Heroes” is YIA’s second full-length release. Its debut “Disagree” was recorded in 2003 by a friend of the band at the Art Institute of Seattle. The newest compilation of self-professed “loud abrasive noise” was recorded and produced by the band over the past year at drummer John Dias’ Warren Avenue studio.

While reveling mainly in punk’s three-chord, fast core format, “Heroes” exhibits YIA’s evolution through its lyrical content and diversity.

“We’re anti-war, anti-establishment … just basically trying to bring back the thought that people can run things themselves,” Donny Rivers said. “We don’t have to conform to a certain mold to survive.”

The message of the album’s title track “Heroes Come Home in Boxes” and “One Quart of Oil” speak to the band’s discontent with the state of the U.S. war on terrorism, while songs like “Socially Inept” and “Drunk” are blunt memoirs of growing up in Bremerton.

“Our message is always kind of sarcastic in a way,” Rivers said. “(But) to see us play live or to hear us on the album, you can tell we enjoy what we do.”

The bill for Friday night’s live show also includes a bevy of younger bands which are growing up in a scene markedly different from that in which YIA was forged. But, it’s refreshing More said, to see that there are kids carrying not only the music but more importantly the ideals of true punk rock.

The Extinct, a high school band from Bremerton, are a testament to that end with their high-speed, lo-tech abrasive cadence, chock full of passion.

“A big part of everything we do, we just want everyone to get a sense of community,” Rivers said. “Anyone can come and have a good time.”