A Dirty Dozen with SABRINA WORTHINGTON from THE APPLICATORS – May 2026

Photo credit: Brian Nixon

According to a recent press release: “Cellofame Records and Austin punk legends The Applicators have officially launched pre-orders for the 20th anniversary edition of My Weapon — the band’s landmark 2006 album finally making its long-awaited vinyl debut on June 15, 2026. Originally released on CD during the band’s relentless international touring years, My Weapon captured The Applicators at their creative peak — blending gritty melodic punk, street-punk urgency, riot grrrl attitude, and undeniable hooks into a record that has quietly influenced generations of punk fans over the last two decades. More than just a reissue, the anniversary edition serves as both a time capsule and reclamation project — a second life for a record whose themes of resilience, friendship, heartbreak, and independence feel just as vital now as they did in 2006.” We get singer Sabrina to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

My Weapon is actually turning 20 and we are releasing it for the first time on Vinyl. What makes this really special for us as a band is the fact that we now own our music and can release and re package it in our own way looking back on it two decades later. I feel like what people may miss the first time through is that it tells a story, from the first song to the last, starting with devastation through all the stages of evolving into a better place.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I can’t speak for the band but for me music was an escape from reality and I continue to use songwriting to process things in real life. I think seeing Madonna walk down the cake on the VMAs in 1985 was the moment I was like 7 years old and I was like whatever this is, I want to do that. Haha.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There’s  too many to list, but I still love the Ramones and Joan Jett and bands like the Gits and Sleater Kinney so much even if I don’t listen to them all the time anymore I can’t deny their major impact on me as a young songwriter.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

DAN ANDRIANO. Because he thought up and  wrote all the songs I wish I did before I had the chance to.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I love to read and listen to podcasts. I still go to a lot of shows and started a record label to put out bands I love and support artists in my community.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I like to say we are a poppy punk band but we lean more punk? Its hard to describe but I kind love that we don’t directly sound like anyone but us. I had a reviewer say the vocalist was obviously obsessed with Courtney Love, which couldn’t be less true, I am more of a Kathleen Hannah fan truth be told.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Cooking probably me or Katy? But Erica and Kristina are definitely getting the drinks and Erica F would bring out the acoustic.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

It’s so funny how I can meet someone actually really popular and not bat an eye, its the less known artists that have a huge impact on me from my early years. I went to the Fillmore a couple years ago in San Francisco and saw Jawbreaker with Jawbox and Team Dresch, my partner was doing sound so I was all set to meet Team Dresch but completely freaked out and ran away.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part to me is getting to see an idea for a song come to fruition and become a physical thing like on vinyl, or to play it live. Like wow I had this thought or feeling and now people can sing long to it, I love the journey of that process. My dream job would be to have a community space/ venue to support artists in my community, with a store for my very DIY label.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I don’t really know? Haha.. I like to talk about the stories behind the lyrics I suppose. I guess I am happy that people don’t focus on the all female aspect of the band the way they used to, like to me it’s still very cool to be all femme band but not the most important thing about us.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I used to, but now I’m actually happy with how it all turned out. If any one thing was different we wouldn’t be doing what we are the way we are now. Hindsight is 20/20.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Oh! Sinead o Connor – The Lion and the Cobra. I cannot even hear that record without getting chills, I can’t imagine being there in person, what a gift she was to me and the world.

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Category: Interviews