Marginal Man
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Steve Polcari, Pete Murray, Mike Manos |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk music |
Marginal Man was a hardcore punk group originating from Washington, D.C., established in 1982. The band’s founders—Steve Polcari (vocals), Pete Murray (guitar), and Mike Manos (drums)—had previously been members of Bethesda’s hardcore outfit Artificial Peace, which appeared on Dischord Records' seminal compilation Flex Your Head. Following the dissolution of Artificial Peace, they teamed up with bassist Andre Lee and guitarist Kenny Inouye to form Marginal Man. Their inaugural performance took place on November 19, 1982, sharing the stage with bands such as Scream and Insurrection.[1] The band’s name symbolizes the idea of existing on the periphery of groups without fully integrating into any single one.[2]
Marginal Man stood out as one of the pioneering D.C. hardcore bands to feature two guitarists simultaneously, alongside peers like The Faith and Minor Threat. Jeff Nelson, co-founder of Dischord Records, commended them for their exceptional use of dual guitar arrangements within the local scene.[3] Before their initial farewell concert at the 9:30 Club on March 24, 1988, the band had a rigorous touring schedule and substantial recording output. They later reunited for shows at the same venue in 1991 and 1995, as well as a performance at the Black Cat nightclub in 2011.[4]
A notable member, guitarist Kenny Inouye, is the son of the late Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii, who was a Medal of Honor awardee and served as a U.S. Representative.[5]
Releases
- Identity 12" EP (Dischord Records, 1984) / CD EP (Dischord, 1997)
- Double Image LP (Gasatanka/Enigma Records, 1985) / CD (In Your Eye, 2000)
- Marginal Man LP/CS (Giant Records, 1988)
Appearances
- "Marginal Man" featured on the "Alive And Kicking" 7" compilation (WGNS Recordings, 1985)
- "Stones Of A Wall" included in the "State Of The Union" LP compilation (Dischord, 1989)
- "Friends" featured on the "Going Nowhere Slow" LP compilation (Double A Records, 1990)
- "Mainstream" and "Tell Me" appeared on the "...And The Fun Just Never Ends" CD compilation (Lost And Found Records, 1993)
- "Missing Rungs" and "Manipulator" contributed to the "20 Years Of Dischord" triple-CD compilation (Dischord, 2003)
Members
- Steve Polcari – Vocals
- Pete Murray – Guitar, Vocals
- Kenny Inouye – Guitar
- Andre Lee – Bass
- Mike Manos – Drums