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Born Against

From Alfawiki
Born Against
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1989
Defunct1993
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
ProductsHardcore punk music

Born Against was a hardcore punk group originating from New York that operated between 1989 and 1993.[1] Although their presence in mainstream media was limited during their active years, they have later been hailed as "legendary" by publications such as the Chicago Reader and the LA Weekly.[2][3]

History

The band was established in early 1989 by guitarist Adam Nathanson, bassist Neil Burke, vocalist Sam McPheeters, and drummer John Guzman,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name who was quickly succeeded by George and subsequently Nigel Schreiber in July 1989.[4] This initial lineup produced a demo tape and contributed a track to the Murders Among Us 7-inch compilation released on McPheeters' own Vermiform Records. Later that year, both Burke and Schreiber exited the group.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Throughout its lifespan, Born Against experienced frequent changes in its rhythm section.

In March 1990, the band reformed with Javier Villegas on bass and Darryl Kahan on drums, marking the start of their first vinyl releases: the Eulogy single, a self-titled 7-inch EP, along with several compilation contributions. Kahan was replaced by John Hiltz later that same year, creating the band's most stable lineup. They embarked on extensive tours and issued their debut full-length album, Nine Patriotic Hymns for Children, through Vermiform in 1991. Villegas departed towards the end of that year and was succeeded by bassist Bret Blue.

With Hiltz and Blue onboard, Born Against continued touring, including trips to Europe. Their confrontational political themes garnered media attention,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name yet also provoked opposition both locally in New York City and elsewhere.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Progress on a new album halted in July 1992 following Hiltz's departure. The concluding recording sessions for Battle Hymns of the Race War featured Melissa York as drummer, although she did not participate in live performances.

By early 1993, Nathanson and McPheeters had moved to Jersey City, New Jersey and assembled a new formation with bassist Tonie Joy (known from Moss Icon and Universal Order of Armageddon) and drummer Brooks Headley (also from Universal Order of Armageddon). This lineup lasted seven months during which they toured extensively and released split 7-inch records with Screeching Weasel—notably involving mutual lyric exchanges—and Universal Order of Armageddon. Their increasingly radical left-wing ideology took on a more cynical tone, reflected in experimental songs like "Lillian." The band's final release was a split 8" with Man is the Bastard. Born Against performed their last concert in July 1993.[4]

Following their disbandment, two comprehensive CDs compiling nearly all of Born Against's recordings (excluding their demo tape) were issued: Patriotic Battle HymnsCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name—which includes Nine Patriotic Hymns for Children and Battle Hymns of the Race War—and The Rebel Sound of Shit and FailureCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name, which features all other tracks.[5][6] Initially released by Vermiform Records, these collections have since been reissued by Kill Rock Stars and Prank Records.[7]

Members

  • Sam McPheeters – vocals (1989–1993)
  • Adam Nathanson – guitar, vocals (1989–1993)
  • Neil Burke – bass, vocals (1989)
  • John Guzman – drums (1989)
  • George – drums (1989)
  • Nigel Schreiber – drums (1989)
  • Javier Villegas – bass, vocals (1990–1991)
  • Daryl Kahan – drums (1990)
  • Jon Hiltz – drums (1990–1992)
  • Bret Blue – bass, vocals (1991–1992)
  • Melissa York – drums (1992)
  • Tonie Joy – bass, vocals (1993)
  • Brooks Headley – drums (1993)

Studio albums

  • Nine Patriotic Hymns for Children LP (1991, initially released by Vermiform Records, subsequently reissued through Prank Records and Kill Rock Stars)
  • Battle Hymns of the Race War 10-inch (1993, originally issued by Vermiform Records, later re-released by Prank Records and Kill Rock Stars)

EPs and splits

  • Eulogy/Riding With Mary 7-inch (1990)
  • Born Against 7-inch (1990)
  • Born Against/Suckerpunch 8" flexi-disc split with Suckerpunch (1992, Ebullition Records)
  • Born Against/Screeching Weasel split 7-inch/CD alongside Screeching Weasel (1993, Lookout! Records)
  • Born Against/Universal Order of Armageddon split 7-inch (1993, Gravity Records)
  • Born Against/Man Is the Bastard split 8" (1994)

Compilation albums

  • Patriotic Battle Hymns compilation CD/LP (1994, released by Vermiform Records, later reissued via Kill Rock Stars)
  • The Rebel Sound of Shit and Failure compilation CD/LP (1995, initially distributed by Vermiform Records, subsequently reissued by Kill Rock Stars)

Compilation appearances

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named St.Louis News
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ChicagoReader
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LAWeekly
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sammcpheeters.com
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named StylusMagazine
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AllMusic-TheRebelSound
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AllMusic-Biography
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