Bane (band)

Bane
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1995
Founder	Aaron Dalbec, Damon Bellorado
Headquarters	Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Products	Hardcore punk music
Number of employees	5 (members)

Bane is a hardcore punk group from the United States, established in 1995 as a secondary endeavor by Aaron Dalbec, who was then part of Converge, alongside Damon Bellorado. Originally named Gateway, they performed a handful of shows before Aaron Bedard, previously with Worcester's hardcore outfit Backbone, assumed the role of lead vocalist. Their initial studio effort was a five-track demo recorded in December 1995, succeeded by an EP in 1996 and numerous performances across central Massachusetts. The band released the Free to Think, Free to Be EP in 1997 and followed up with the Holding This Moment compilation in 1998, which facilitated their inaugural tour across the United States. Bane is widely acknowledged for advocating inclusivity and solidarity within the hardcore community.

In 2014, they issued their concluding album, Don't Wait Up, while expressing intentions to maintain touring activities.

History

Bane originated in 1994 under the name Gateway as a side project linked to Aaron Dalbec's primary band Converge. By 1995, Aaron Bedard had taken over as vocalist. The group swiftly recorded a five-song demo. The lineup expanded with Pete Chilton on bass and Zach Jordan on guitar, while Damon Bellorado handled drums.

The May 1996 release of the EP Forked Tongue was followed by Free to Think, Free to Be in 1997 via Life Records. Bellorado departed to dedicate himself fully to Converge; his position was temporarily filled by Ben Chused before Nick Branigan took over drumming duties in 1998. After unveiling Holding This Moment, a collection compiling earlier EPs, Bane embarked on a US tour alongside Saves the Day.

Their album It All Comes Down to This was tracked in June 1999 at Austin Enterprises in Massachusetts and released through Equal Vision Records. In 2000, they toured North America with Death by Stereo and Adamantium and also performed across Europe. That same year, they collaborated with producer Kurt Ballou to record two tracks for a split release with Adamantium on Indecision Records. Their sophomore album Give Blood, produced by Brian McTernan in Maryland, came out in 2001 and was supported by a US tour featuring Agnostic.

Following drummer Branigan's exit in 2003, Bob Mahoney joined as his replacement. The band toured both the US and Japan during 2004. In 2005, Bane recorded The Note at Salad Days Studios with McTernan for Equal Vision Records and proceeded with a US tour alongside Comeback Kid and With Honor.

After unveiling their final album Don't Wait Up in 2014, Bane performed their farewell concert on June 18, 2016, at the Worcester Palladium.

They unexpectedly reunited on July 2, 2021, for a benefit show commemorating late bassist Brendan "Stu" Maguire. The lineup included acts such as The Bouncing Souls, Sick of It All, H₂O, and Rebuilder.

In early February 2023, Bane hinted at a reunion through social media countdowns. On February 7, they confirmed a two-night reunion event scheduled at Roadrunner in Boston.

Influences

The band has acknowledged inspirations from groups such as Unbroken, YDI, Chain of Strength, Void, Hatebreed, Burn, Underdog, Youth of Today, Rites of Spring, Minor Threat, the Cro-Mags, Embrace, as well as Walter Schreifels’ contributions to Quicksand and Dave Smalley’s work with Dag Nasty, All, and Down by Law.

Straight edge

While Bane was originally recognized as a straight edge band, this theme was never the central focus of their lyrics. The founding members have maintained their straight edge lifestyle, whereas Bob Mahoney and Stu have not. Despite this, the group still performs early tracks containing straight edge allusions, including "Count Me Out," which features the line "Just like this X on the back of my hand, I'm not going nowhere." Conversely, the song "Wasted On The Young" from their album The Note offers a critique of premature or insincere declarations of straight edge.

Last line-up

Aaron Bedard – lead vocals (1995–2016, 2021, 2023), rhythm guitar (1994–1995)
Aaron Dalbec – lead guitar (1994–2016, 2021, 2023)
Zach Jordan – rhythm guitar (1995–2016, 2021, 2023)
James Siboni – bass guitar (2014–2016, 2021, 2023)
Bob Mahoney – drums (2003–2016, 2021, 2023)

Previous members

Pete Chilton – bass (1994–2007, 2015)
Brendan "Stu" Maguire – bass (2008–2012; deceased 2021)
Chris Linkovich – bass (2012–2014)
Damon Bellorado – drums (1995–1997)
Matt Firestones – vocals (1995–1996)
Ben Chused – drums (1997–1998)
Nick Branigan – drums (1998–2003)

Guest contributors

Kurt Ballou – guitar

Timeline

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 bar:Linkovich     text:"Chris Linkovich"
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bar Bellorado   from:start      till:end            color Drums except gaps in activity  
bar Chused     from:start      till:end            color Drums except gaps in activity  
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Studio albums

It All Comes Down to This (1999, released by Equal Vision)
Give Blood (2001, Equal Vision)
The Note (2005, Equal Vision)
Don't Wait Up (2014, Equal Vision)

Compilation albums

Holding This Moment (1998, Equal Vision)

Extended plays

Bane/Adamantium Split 7" (2001, Indecision)
Ten Years Plus E.P. (2006, Equal Vision)
Tokyo 7:58am (2009, Alliance) – also issued as Perth 7:58am and Curitiba 7:58pm, featuring selections from both Boston 6:58pm and Los Angeles 3:58pm
Boston 6:58pm (2009, Triple-B) – internationally distributed under the title Dublin 11:58pm
Los Angeles 3:58pm (2009, 6131) – released globally as Rome 12:58am

Compilation appearances

They Came From Massachusetts (1996, Big Wheel Recreation) – track: "Both Guns Blazing"
All Systems Go! (2000, Opened Handed Records/UnderEstimated Records) – track: "Just How Much" (cover of Chain of Strength)
Atticus: Dragging the Lake II (2003) – track: "Some Came Running"
Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of It All (2007, Abacus Recordings) – track: "We Stand Alone"
At Both Ends (2009, At Both Ends Hardcore Magazine) – tracks: "Non-Negotiated" and a re-recorded version of "Struck Down By Me"
America's Hardcore Volume 2 (2012, Triple-B Records) – track: "Satan's Son"

External links