Man Is the Bastard
| Company type | Ensemble / Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Claremont, California , United States |
| Products | Albums, EPs, vinyl splits |
Man Is the Bastard was a hardcore punk ensemble originating from Claremont, California, active between 1990 and 1997. Their discography mainly comprises vinyl splits, EPs, and albums released through specialized labels internationally. Following their dissolution, the members embarked on separate ventures, most notably the noise project Bastard Noise, which initially emerged as a side endeavor linked to Man Is the Bastard. They are acknowledged as pivotal contributors to the 1990s powerviolence genre.
After the group disbanded, Eric Wood continued performing under the name Bastard Noise in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Kenyon and Connel have been involved in various progressive rock outfits such as Frank Booth Youth, Bastard Lounge, ControllingHand, Lux Nova Umbra Est, and Umbra Vita. Andy Beattie remains engaged in hardcore and powerviolence scenes through bands including Controlling Hand, Low Threat Profile, Infest, Dead Language (which features members of Iron Lung), and Cave State. His current endeavor, Dead Mans Life (established in 2018), performs locally; his solo work is released under Institute of Infinite Sorrow.
Musical
Man Is the Bastard (also referred to as Charred Remains) is categorized within powerviolence—a term introduced by Matt Domino from Eric Wood’s previous band Neanderthal—alongside hardcore punk, noise rock, and sludge metal. Their instrumentation included two bass guitars complemented by vocal contributions from both Wood and Kenyon. The band is distinguished for incorporating significant elements of noise, which led to the inception of the enduring noise project Bastard Noise. This profound noise component was largely influenced by Henry Barnes, who integrated custom-made electronic devices into their sound palette. Their recordings are characterized by a sparse, raw low-fidelity production style.
Lyrical
The lyrical content predominantly addresses politically charged and somber subjects such as animal rights, violence, misanthropy, torture, police brutality, starvation, and depression. Despite their intense themes, their lyrics also strongly promote progressive values, exemplified by their most broadly circulated release—the 1997 split LP with death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Artwork
The majority of their releases maintained a consistent visual identity: a signature skull emblem positioned between the words Man Is The Bastard, with the album or EP title placed beneath in quotation marks. This skull design was inspired by an illustration found in a medical text Eric Wood was studying. Their records commonly included straightforward liner notes that explained song meanings, while the artwork generally adhered to a stark and minimalist aesthetic. In 2012, the band Akron/Family utilized the skull logo for a t-shirt design, which led to accusations of plagiarism from Eric Wood; this issue was subsequently resolved.
Influence
Man Is the Bastard holds a significant place within California’s powerviolence movement. Chris Dodge—bassist for Spazz (band) and founder of Slap-a-Ham Records—described them as "the most unique band of their day." Additionally, the folk punk group AJJ (band) paid homage to Man Is the Bastard in their song "Do Re and Me" from the 2014 album Christmas Island.
Initial lineup
- Eric Wood – bass, vocals
- Joel Connell – drums
- Henry Barnes – guitars, electronics
- Aaron Kenyon – bass, vocals
- Shawn Connell – guitar featured on Charred Remains / Pink Turds in Space Split EP
Subsequent members
- Bill Nelson – electronics
- Andrew Beattie – vocals
- Isreal Lawrence – vocals, electronics
Full-length albums
| Year | Album Information | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Sum of the Men: "The Brutality Continues..."
|
Originally launched as an LP in 1991; subsequently re-released on compact disc featuring bonus tracks from various 7-inch records |
| 1995 | Thoughtless...
|
Issued in two LP variants: white vinyl and picture disc. Gravity Records released a CD edition in 1996 and remastered LP editions in 2012 on orange, purple, and black vinyl. |
| 2016 | The Honesty Shop
|
Limited edition of 400 copies pressed on clear candy-pink vinyl, accompanied by a screenprinted jacket and double-sided lyrics insert. |
EPs
| Year | Release Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Abundance of Guns
|
Issued in Italy on black and red vinyl; US release followed in 1993 with alternate artwork on clear and black vinyl. Deep Six Records reissued a 10" version in 2014 on clear and green vinyl including the additional track "Regression of Birth". The original S.O.A. version appeared on the 2003 compilation Old Days Nostalgia. |
| 1992 | Backwards Species
|
Initially released in Germany; later repressings by Deep Six Records (2014) in the US on purple, tan, and orange vinyl. |
| 1993 | Our Earth's Blood
|
Distributed in the US through Vermiform Records. |
| 1993 | Uncivilized Live
|
Live recordings captured at multiple venues during 1992; pressed on green, clear, purple, and pink vinyl variants. |
| 2015 | The Lost MITB Sessions
|
Previously unreleased tracks from 1997; issued in limited runs on black, assorted solid colors, and sunburst mixes. |
Split releases
| Year | Release Information | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Pink Turds In Space/Charred Remains AKA Man Is the Bastard
|
Initial pressing included 1500 green copies with black-and-white sleeves; second pressing consisted of 500 black copies with red-and-white sleeves. This was a split with Pink Turds In Space. |
| 1992 | Dis-Corporation/The Power of Hash
|
Multiple pressings featuring photocopied sleeves and colored vinyl; later reissued by Deep Six with various colors including a limited translucent pink edition. Split with Aunt Mary. |
| 1992 | "The Brutality Continues..."
|
Pressed on black, clear, and translucent yellow vinyl variants. Split with UND. |
| 1992 | Crossed Out/Man Is the Bastard
|
First pressing consisted of 2000 black copies with blue and red sleeves; second pressing featured alternate artwork along with colored vinyl editions. Split release with Crossed Out. |
| 1993 | Bleeding Rectum/Man Is the Bastard
|
Split LP later repressed by Deep Six in marbled black and blue vinyl editions (2013). Split with Bleeding Rectum. |
| 1993 | >>Under the Surface: Smashed Visions<<
|
Limited to a run of 2000 copies available in black and pink versions. Split with Pink Flamingos. |
| 1993 | Sanctity of Oil
|
Pressed on both black and orange vinyl; reissued as a 10" by Deep Six with multiple color variants (2013). Split with Bizarre Uproar. |
| 1994 | Sources Of Power From Another World
|
Limited edition silver cover alongside standard release; split album with Bizarre Uproar. |
| 1994 | Throne of Apprehension/Provoked Behavior
|
1200 copies pressed featuring black-and-white cover art; additional variants include red-and-white and purple-and-white covers. Split release with Agathocles. |
| 1994 | Capitalist Casualties/Man Is the Bastard
|
Originally released by Six Weeks; represses issued in 2009 on standard black and limited grey vinyl editions. Split with Capitalist Casualties. |
| 1994 | A Call For Consciousness
|
'Split release with Born Against; test pressings were produced on 10" vinyl format. |
| 1995 | 'Man Is the Bastard/Sinking Body'
|
'Split release featuring Sinking Body.' |
| '95' | 'Our Earth's Blood Pt.2' | 'Pressed across multiple colored vinyl versions including a limited yellow edition; split with The Locust.' |
| '97' | 'Mumia Abu-Jamal Spoken Word With Music By Man Is The Bastard' | 'Split release featuring contributions from prominent figures such as Assata Shakur, Allen Ginsberg, Jello Biafra, and Bob Dole. Available on both LP and CD formats.' |
| '97' | 'Nazi Drunks Fuck Off/Native American Life' | 'Split LP compiling live performances from ’94 to ’96 issued exclusively in Japan (limited to 500 copies).' |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album Information | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | D.I.Y.C.D.
|
A collection of initial 7" releases; reissued in 2006 by Deep Six. |
| 2000 | Mancruel
|
Features songs from split records with Bleeding Rectum and Capitalist Casualties, along with previously unreleased Bastard Noise tracks. |
| 2013 | First Music/First Noise
|
Comprises tracks from splits alongside Pink Turds In Space and UND; available on black and blue vinyl. |
| 2015 | A Call For Consciousness/Our Earth's Blood
|
Includes the split with Born Against and the full Our Earth's Blood 7"; pressed on black and green vinyl. |
| 2016 | Under the Surface/Smashed Visions/Anger And English/De-Programming The Bigot
|
Produced on purple vinyl. |
Compilation appearances
| Year | Album Information | Tracks Featured |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Son Of Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh!
|
"Autopsy of Authority" |
| 1992 | In the Spirit of Total Resistance
|
"Homo Afflictus" |
| 1993 | Fear of Smell
|
"Combat Weed" |
| 1993 | Revive Us Again: The Voices of Inspiration of a Machination World
|
"Funeral For Fargo" "Goodbye" |
| 1994 | Cataclastic Fracture (A Noise Collection)
|
"Human Plecostomus" |
| 1994 | No Desire To Continue Living
|
"Chubby" "Military Prayer" |
| 1995 | Golden Shower of 72 Hits
|
"…Telephone Call To Lost And Found" |
| 1995 | Cry Now, Cry Later Volume 3
|
"Faces of the Men" |
| 1995 | Anger And English
|
"Tomb Ride" "Mr. Wilson" "Flying Limbs" |
| 1995 | KXLU 88.9FM Los Angeles Live Volume 1
|
"Slay or Slander" |
| 1996 | Reality
|
"Tomb Ride" |
| 1997 | Reality Part 2
|
"Untitled" |
| 1998 | Reproach (8 Modern Hardcore Bands Cover Negative Approach)
|
"Dead Stop" |
| 1998 | Cry Now, Cry Later Volumes 3 & 4'
|
"Faces of the Men" |
| 1998 | Under Your Influence'
* Issued :1998 * Record Label :Tralla Records * Medium :CD |
"Man Is the Bastard" |
| 1998 | Ham Slappin' Hits!'
* Issued :1998 * Record Label :Slap-A-Ham * Medium :CS |
"Stocks" "Autopsy of Authority" |
| 2003 | Old Days Nostalgia'
* Issued :2003 * Record Label:S.O.A. Records * Medium :3xCD |
'Abundance of Guns' single track from the Abundance of Guns7". |
| 2009 | A Product of Six Cents II'
* Issued : April25 ,2009 * Record Label : A Product of Six Cents , To Live A Lie * Medium : CD |
"No Concern For the Inhuman" |