(Young) Pioneers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Richmond, Virginia , United States |
| Products | Albums, EPs, Singles |
(Young) Pioneers—occasionally presented as Young Pioneers or The (Young) Pioneers—was a folk punk group originating from Richmond, Virginia in the United States, active between 1993 and 1999. The band included former members of Born Against, Avail, and Universal Order of Armageddon, producing two full-length albums alongside several singles released through Vermiform and Lookout! Records. Their songwriting was notable for politically charged content, invoking figures such as George Jackson and Carlos the Jackal, often exploring themes centered on personal resistance to oppressive political systems.
History
The ensemble was established by ex-Born Against musicians—vocalist and guitarist Adam Nathanson (previously with Life's Blood), drummer Brooks Headley (formerly of Universal Order of Armageddon), and harmonica player Neil Burke (also from Life's Blood). After the release of their initial EP on Vermiform, Burke exited the group. In 1994, bassist Tim Barry of Avail joined, but he departed the following year and was replaced by Marty Key (also known as Marty Violence). This lineup change occurred shortly before the band signed with the California-based punk label Lookout! Records. Drummer Headley left in 1997, succeeded briefly by Jonathan Fuller (of Sleepytime Trio), then by Fred LaPier, who remained through the band's concluding period. Throughout their career, they toured alongside bands such as At the Drive-In, Avail, Peechees, Karp, and The Locust. The group officially disbanded in February 1999.
Following the breakup, Nathanson and Key collaborated to form Teargas Rock with drummer Randy Davis (The Great Unraveling). Though this project produced no significant releases and is currently inactive, Key continued performing with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and manages Steady Sounds, a record store located in Richmond. Headley went on to play with Wrangler Brutes and Skull Control; Fuller became a member of Denali and Engine Down; Burke contributed to Men's Recovery Project; while Barry maintained his involvement with Avail and launched a solo career.
Members
- Adam Nathanson – vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
- Tim Barry – bass, vocals (1994–1995)
- Marty Key – bass, guitar, drums, vocals, keyboards (1995–1999)
- Neil Burke – harmonica (1993–1994)
- Brooks Headley – drums, vocals (1993–1997)
- Jonathan Fuller – drums (1997)
- Fred LaPier – drums (1997–1999)
Albums
- First Virginia Volunteers (1995, Vermiform Records)
- Free the Young Pioneers Now! (1998, Lookout! Records)
Compilations
- Crimewave E.P. And More (1996, Vermiform Records)
- Write In The (Young) Pioneers (2019, Tiger Force Ultra)
EPs and Singles
- Young Pioneers (1993, Vermiform Records)
- Food Stamps (1994, Vermiform Records)
- We March! (1995, Vermiform Records)
- Split with The Van Pelt (1995, Whirled Records)
- Employer's Blacklist (1995, Whirled Records/Irony Recordings)
- Crimewave E.P. (1996, Vermiform Records)
- V.M.Live Series Presents.. (1996, V.M.Live Recordings)
- The Fall of Richmond split with Avail (1997, Lookout! Records)
- On Trial (1997, Lookout! Records)
- Split with Drunk (1997, What Else? Records)
Compilation Contributions
- ABCs of Punk (1996, Whirled Records)
- (You're Only As Good As) The Last Great Thing You Did (1997, Lookout! Records)
- Shreds Volume 4: American Underground '96 (1997, Shredder)
- Double Exposure (1998, Go-Kart/Black Rat Recordings)
- Richmond, VA - Hooray! (1998)
- Under Your Influence (1998, Tralla Records)
- Mordam 1999 (1999, Mordam Records)
- 1999: Forward Till Death (1999, Lookout! Records)
- U.S. Indies Punx Collection (2000, Two Children Records)
- W.E. 20.0: A What Else? Sampler (2002, What Else? Records)
- Join The Resistance Against War and N.A.T.O! (2008)