Dag Nasty

Dag Nasty
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1985
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., United States
Products	Albums, singles, EPs
Website	www.dagnasty.com

Dag Nasty is a hardcore punk group originating from Washington D.C. in the United States, established in 1985. The founding lineup featured guitarist Brian Baker, formerly of Minor Threat, drummer Colin Sears, and bassist Roger Marbury, both previously with Bloody Mannequin Orchestra, along with vocalist Shawn Brown, who later joined Swiz and Jesuseater. Their sound, characterized by melodic hardcore, played a significant role in shaping the post-hardcore genre. Their inspirations included bands such as U2, particularly their debut album Boy (1980), as well as the Damned, Descendents, Buzzcocks, and the Clash.

History

Shawn Brown initially served as the band's vocalist and recorded early versions of much of the material that would appear on their debut album Can I Say. This album eventually featured new frontman Dave Smalley from DYS. Prior to a summer tour supporting The Descendents, Dave departed to pursue graduate studies at New York University. To continue the tour, Peter Cortner was brought on board after responding to a local newspaper advertisement. After completing approximately half of their U.S. tour opening for The Descendents, Dag Nasty laid down new tracks that remained unreleased for several years. Following several local performances, the band dissolved in late 1986. Brian relocated to Los Angeles to form Doggie Rock alongside Doug Carrion and members of Doggy Style. After releasing a single album, Doggie Rock disbanded, prompting Brian to revive Dag Nasty in early 1987 with Peter Cortner, Colin Sears, and Doug Carrion replacing Roger Marbury, who opted not to return. This lineup produced Wig Out at Denko's, combining re-recorded songs from late 1986 with fresh material.

In 1988, Dag Nasty unveiled Field Day through Giant Records, distributed by Dutch East India Trading. This record incorporated more pop-oriented melodies alongside hardcore and metal-infused riffs than its predecessor Wig Out at Denko's, resulting in mixed reactions among fans. Despite some inconsistency, the album contributed to pioneering a novel hardcore approach distinguished by controlled instrumentation, use of guitar effects, acoustic passages, and reduced tempos. The band disbanded soon after completing the Field Day tour.

Reuniting in 1992 with Dave Smalley returning on vocals, Dag Nasty released Four on the Floor. Additionally, in 1991, Selfless Records issued 85-86, a compilation featuring early recordings predating their debut album.

The group came together once more in 2002 with Smalley, reverting to a hardcore style evident on their album Minority of One. Although they occasionally produce new records, Dag Nasty primarily operates as a side project. Peter Cortner pursued careers in law and education while continuing musical endeavors through GPFA and The Gerunds. Alongside Doug Carrion, he also performs material from his tenure with Dag Nasty under the project Field Day. Colin Sears joined bands such as The Marshes, Portland-based Handgun Bravado and The Valley Floor, and currently works as a city planner for the Portland Development Commission. Other members remain engaged in various musical activities.

Brian Baker became part of Bad Religion following Brett Gurewitz’s departure to concentrate on Epitaph Records, maintaining his position after Gurewitz’s return.

In 2009, Brian Baker expressed enthusiasm about recording a new Dag Nasty album featuring Peter Cortner, emphasizing Peter’s compelling lyricism as a major strength.

October 2012 saw Dag Nasty announce a reunion concert in Washington DC with original vocalist Shawn Brown. On December 28 that year, the founding lineup performed at the Black Cat venue in support of the documentary "Salad Days: The DC Punk Revolution," sharing the stage with other prominent Washington DC punk bands.

The band reunited again in 2015 and planned a European tour for spring 2016 alongside appearances at the Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival in Las Vegas and a June 11 show in Asbury Park, New Jersey. In May 2016, they released a new 7-inch single through Dischord Records.

Musical style

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic characterized Dag Nasty as having a sound that is "more melodic and approachable than Minor Threat" while still maintaining a "sharp, intense edge." He also highlighted the incorporation of greater pop influences during the era when Peter Cortner was the vocalist in 1986.

The group has served as an inspiration to bands like Leatherface.

Band members

Current lineup

Shawn Brown – lead vocals (1985–1986, 2012, 2015–present)
Brian Baker – guitar (1985–1986, 1987–1988, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2015–present)
Roger Marbury – bass and backing vocals (1985–1986, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2015–present)
Colin Sears – drums (1985–1986, 1987, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2015–present)

Previous members

Peter Cortner – lead vocals (1987–1988)
Dave Smalley – lead vocals (1986, 1992, 2002)
Doug Carrion – bass and backing vocals (1987–1988)
Scott Garrett – drums (1987–1988)
London May – drums (1987–1988)

Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:85 bottom:60 top:0 right:0 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1985 till:12/31/2018 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:01/01/1985 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:01/01/1985

Colors =

 id:v    value:red       legend:Vocals
 id:g    value:green     legend:Guitar
 id:b    value:blue      legend:Bass
 id:d    value:orange    legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:alb  value:black     legend:Studio_album

LineData =

 layer:back
 at:07/01/1986 color:alb
 at:07/01/1987 color:alb
 at:07/01/1988 color:alb
 at:07/01/1992 color:alb
 at:07/01/2002 color:alb

BackgroundColors = bars:white

PlotData =

 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(12,-4)
 bar:Shawn_Brown from:start till:02/14/1986 color:v
 bar:Shawn_Brown from:12/01/2012 till:12/30/2012 color:v
 bar:Shawn_Brown from:01/01/2015 till:end color:v
 bar:Dave_Smalley from:02/14/1986 till:06/30/1986 color:v
 bar:Dave_Smalley from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/2002 color:v
 bar:Peter_Cortner from:07/01/1986 till:07/31/1988 color:v
 bar:Brian_Baker from:start till:07/31/1988 color:g
 bar:Brian_Baker from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/2002 color:g
 bar:Brian_Baker from:12/01/2012 till:12/30/2012 color:g
 bar:Brian_Baker from:01/01/2015 till:end color:g
 bar:Roger_Marbury from:start till:03/15/1987 color:b
 bar:Roger_Marbury from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/2002 color:b
 bar:Roger_Marbury from:12/01/2012 till:12/30/2012 color:b
 bar:Roger_Marbury from:01/01/2015 till:end color:b
 bar:Doug_Carrion from:03/15/1987 till:07/31/1988 color:b
 bar:Colin_Sears from:start till:06/21/1987 color:d
 bar:Colin_Sears from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/2002 color:d
 bar:Colin_Sears from:12/01/2012 till:12/30/2012 color:d
 bar:Colin_Sears from:01/01/2015 till:end color:d
 bar:London_May from:06/21/1987 till:08/15/1987 color:d
 bar:Scott_Garret from:08/15/1987 till:07/31/1988 color:d

</timeline>

Studio Albums

Can I Say LP (Dischord Records, 1986)
Wig Out at Denko's LP (Dischord Records, 1987)
Field Day LP (Giant Records, 1988)
Four on the Floor LP/CD (Epitaph Records, 1992)
Minority of One LP/CD (Revelation Records, 2002)
Dag with Shawn LP/CD (Dischord Records, 2010) – recorded in 1985, featuring tracks from their debut album with Brown as vocalist

Reissues and Compilations

Can I Say/Wig Out at Denko's CD (Dischord Records, 1991)
85-86 LP/7" Box Set/CD (Selfless Records, 1991)
Separate remastered editions of Can I Say and Wig Out at Denko's released by Dischord in 2002

Singles and EPs

All Ages Show 7" (Giant Records, 1987)
Trouble Is 12" (Giant Records, 1988)
Cold Heart 7" (Dischord Records, 2016)

External links