Isocracy (band)
| Company type | Punk rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Berkeley, California , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, EPs, compilation appearances |
Isocracy was a punk rock group originating from the Berkeley, California region, established in 1986. Prominently involved in the MRR and Gilman Street punk community, the lineup included John Kiffmeyer (also known as Al Sobrante), who later became the drummer for Green Day. The band also consisted of Lenny Johnson on guitar, Martin Brohm handling bass duties, and vocalist Jason Beebout, who subsequently founded Samiam.
History
In 1988, Isocracy issued a 10-track 7″ EP titled Bedtime for Isocracy via Lookout! Records (catalog number L005). Their songs were additionally featured on Lookout!'s compilation The Thing That Ate Floyd and re-released on Punk Rock 7″s Volume 1 (L293).
Active between 1986 and 1988, Isocracy gained recognition for their unpredictable performances that blended hardcore punk with elements of performance art, such as staging shows in laundromats and covering audiences with debris like shredded paper. They played a significant role in introducing a constructive form of anarchy into the punk scene during an era largely dominated by hardcore punk styles. The connections John Kiffmeyer made while with Isocracy later supported Green Day during their formative years. The band is also highlighted in the 2017 documentary Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk, which was funded by Green Day.
Releases
- Bedtime for Isocracy (EP) – released by Lookout! Records in 1988
Compilation appearances
- "Fuck This" featured on Lethal Noise, Vol. 2 – a self-released cassette by David Hayes (1987)
- "Confederate Flags" and "Z.B.H.R." included on Turn It Around! – issued by Maximumrocknroll (1987)
- "Happy Now" appearing on The Thing That Ate Floyd – Lookout Records release (1988)