Great punk rock is all about breaking down the barriers of a restricting society. During Hate For State''s show this Thursday night, Nov. 20, at Club Octane, the band will set out to destroy the line drawn between the band and its audience.

I got a preview of what to expect in the Lava Lounge at Club Octane last week. While guitarist Tyee Miles focuses on a lengthy solo during an original called "Go the Fuck Away," members of opening acts Liquid 8 and F.S.U. jumped on stage and started dancing behind drummer Sean Brady.

Though most contemporary punk rock sounds like sped-up pop music, Hate For State sounds like the sort of angry hardcore music made in the early ''80s. Before Saturday''s show, singer Shannon Golden and Brady admitted that they are more into bands like The Descendents and Minor Threat than the current crop of punk rock bands.

"I am into that louder, faster punk rock," Brady says.

When Blink 182 is mentioned, Golden clears his throat and spits on the ground. A few minutes later, he admits that he does watch the group''s videos as long as the television''s sound is muted.

"It looks good," he says.

The Salinas group formed four years ago after longtime friends Brady and bassist Randy Dowdy started jamming together. After Miles and Golden joined the group, Hate For State played their first gig at a party at the guitarist''s house.

Now, after playing at local venues like Chippers, Viva and Jim Dandy''s, the band is able to almost fill the Lava Lounge. In addition to gaining a sizeable local fanbase, the band has recorded a six-song demo CD that the band sells at some of their shows.

After playing an original song called "Ease the Pain," the group ends a raucous Saturday night by covering two of the best punk rock bands of the past couple of decades: The Vandals and Minor Threat.

Hate For State will be performing at the Pabst Blue Ball in Club Octane''s main room, 321 Alvarado St., Monterey, Thursday, 9pm. No cover. 646-9244.