Articles of Faith (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Defunct | 1985 (initial breakup) |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk music, EPs, LPs |
Articles of Faith was a hardcore punk ensemble originating from Chicago, active mainly between 1981 and 1985. Their later releases are recognized for their advanced songwriting craftsmanship and their pioneering role in shaping the early emo movement.
History
The band began as a cover group named Direct Drive, performing songs by Springsteen and Clash. This changed after lead vocalist Vic Bondi attended a Bad Brains concert in Washington, D.C., in 1981, which motivated a stylistic evolution and a new band name. Articles of Faith blended elements of funk, reggae, and jazz into their sound while delivering lyrics that critically examined the pursuit of freedom and fulfillment within consumer culture. Although rooted in Chicago, they maintained significant connections to the Washington DC scene and Dischord Records. Drummer Bill Richman, also known as "Virus X" and associated with the Revolutionary Communist Party, briefly departed in 1984 due to the band's diminishing political emphasis but rejoined to record the In This Life album, released after the band's initial breakup in 1987. The founding members reunited for a European tour in 1991, which resulted in a live recording featured in the Your Choice Live series.
Following Articles of Faith's dissolution, Bondi—who had been deeply engaged in politically motivated protest music—formed the bands Alloy and Jones Very. At that time, he was teaching history at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Subsequently, Bondi served as managing editor for Microsoft's Encarta Interactive English Learning edition. He later resumed his musical career with Report Suspicious Activity starting in 2006 and appeared prominently in the documentaries American Hardcore and You Weren't There.
In 2010, Articles of Faith reunited to perform at Chicago's Riot Fest and released a new EP, reaffirming their lasting impact on the punk genre.
Legacy
Numerous bands have acknowledged Articles of Faith as a major influence, including NOFX, Heroin, and Disfear.
Line-up
- Vic Bondi – vocals, guitar
- Dave Shield – bass guitar, vocals
- Bill Richman (Virus X) – drums
- Dorian Tajbakhsh – guitar
- Joe Scuderi – guitar
Discography
- What We Want Is Free (EP 1982) – Version Sound; later reissued by DIY label Wasteland Records
- Wait (EP 1983) – Wasteland (3-track EP)
- Give Thanks (LP 1984) – Reflex Records, produced by Bob Mould
- In This Life (LP 1987) – Lone Wolf Records, produced by Bob Mould
- Fortunate Son (EP 2003) – Alternative Tentacles (split release with Vic Bondi)
- New Normal Catastrophe (EP 2010) – Alternative Tentacles
Anthologies and posthumous collections
- Core (CD 1991) – Bitzcore (compilation of EPs, compilation appearances, and unreleased material from 1981–1983)
- Give Thanks (CD 1992) – Bitzcore
- Your Choice Live Series 022 (1994) – Tobby Holzinger / Your Choice Records (recorded during final night of 1992 European reunion tour)
- AoF Complete Vol. 1 and AoF Complete Vol. 2 (2002) – Alternative Tentacles, comprehensive vinyl box sets covering recordings from 1981–1985
Compilation contributions
- "Buried Alive" and "False Security" featured on Master Tape compilation LP (Affirmation Records, 1982)
- "Five O'Clock" included on The Middle of America compilation LP (H.I.D. Productions, 1984)
- "Up Against The Wall" appeared on P.E.A.C.E. compilation LP (R Radical Records, 1985)
- "Buy this War" and "American Dreams" featured on Fortunate Son split EP (Alternative Tentacles, 2003)
- "Bad Attitude" included on the soundtrack for American Hardcore - The History Of American Punk Rock 1980-1986 documentary (Rhino Records, 2006)
- "I Got Mine" appeared on the soundtrack for You Weren't There: A History Of Chicago Punk 1977-1984 documentary (Factory 25, 2009)