Negative Approach
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Founder | John Brannon, Pete Zelewski |
| Defunct | 1984 (initial breakup) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2006, active intermittently |
| Headquarters | Detroit , United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk music, albums, EPs |
Negative Approach is a hardcore punk group originating from Detroit, Michigan, established in 1981. As trailblazers of the Midwest hardcore scene, the band initially remained relatively unknown outside their local area but gradually gained recognition within the Detroit rock underground and the wider punk subculture. Celebrated as one of the foremost "old school" hardcore bands, Negative Approach dissolved in 1984 when frontman John Brannon pursued other musical ventures such as the Laughing Hyenas and Easy Action. The band reunited in 2006 and continues to perform intermittently, retaining their influence in the hardcore punk community.
Primary era (1981–1983)
Negative Approach came together in August 1981 in Detroit, founded by Brannon and Pete Zelewski following their attendance at a show featuring Black Flag and Necros. The original roster included Brannon on vocals, Rob McCulloch handling guitar duties, Pete Zelewski on bass, and Zuheir Fakhoury behind the drums. Shortly after, Zelewski departed to establish Allied and was replaced by guitarist Rob McCulloch’s brother, Graham McCulloch. Later, Chris "Opie" Moore took over drumming responsibilities from Fakhoury. This lineup—Brannon, Rob McCulloch, Graham McCulloch, and Moore—persisted until the group’s initial breakup.
Their debut show occurred in the basement of Necros drummer Todd Swalla’s mother’s house. Soon after, they recorded a demo and contributed to the Process of Elimination compilation 7-inch EP released via Meatmen frontman Tesco Vee’s Touch and Go label. This compilation also featured tracks by the Meatmen and Necros. Subsequently, Negative Approach joined forces with these bands on the Process of Elimination tour—a brief three-show run through Boston, New York City, and Washington—which played a pivotal role in expanding hardcore punk’s reach.
The band’s first official studio release was their self-titled 7-inch EP in 1982 on Touch and Go Records, including songs such as "Can't Tell No One," "Ready to Fight," and "Nothing," which has become emblematic of their sound.
In 1983, they issued Tied Down, an album now considered a seminal hardcore punk record.
The classic ensemble disbanded later that year. Rob McCulloch cited exhaustion from the band’s consistently negative lyrical themes, while Brannon was unwilling to alter his artistic direction. Additionally, interpersonal tensions arose partly due to Brannon’s relationship with Larissa Stolarchuk of L-Seven. The group briefly reunited to complete recording Tied Down before ultimately splitting.
Following this, Brannon assembled a new lineup featuring Kelly Dermody on guitar, Dave on bass, and Mike McCabe on drums. This incarnation performed live throughout 1984 with fresh material including "Obsession," "Tunnel Vision," "Kiss Me Kill Me," alongside a cover of The Stooges’ "I Got a Right." These shows were documented on the bootleg 7-inch Live at the Newtown Theater, while live recordings from Boston's Paradise Rock Club appeared on the Total Recall compilation. This formation dissolved during the first week of their Tied Down tour, concluding with a final performance in Memphis.
Activities following disbandment (1983–2006)
Brannon went on to lead Laughing Hyenas, a punk blues outfit featuring Stolarchuk (then known as "Larissa Strickland"), and also provided vocals for Easy Action. In 2008, he lent his voice to two tracks on Vitamin X's album Full Scale Assault, recorded by Steve Albini.
Chris Moore transitioned from drumming to fronting the alternative rock band Crossed Wire alongside Rob McCulloch. Afterward, McCulloch shifted focus toward academia and home studio work but ceased professional music endeavors. Moore developed a notable solo career as a roots-influenced singer-songwriter; his band Moore & Sons—including Lambchop member Dennis Cronin—secured a deal with UK label Triumphant Sounds/Drawing Room.
Graham McCulloch moved to Washington, DC, where he joined the Meatmen before forming Earth 18 with Jon "Bubba" Dupree (formerly of Void). Earth 18 released multiple albums and toured nationally, supporting Nitzer Ebb. Following Earth 18's dissolution, McCulloch spent several years performing with Mother May I.
Reunion (2006–present)
In May 2006, Brannon and Moore revealed plans for Negative Approach to reunite in celebration of Touch and Go Records' 25th anniversary, with a performance scheduled for September 9, 2006, followed by two shows in the UK during December. Although Rob and Graham McCulloch expressed interest in rejoining, Brannon opted not to include them; instead, Harold Richardson (Easy Action) and Ron Sakowski (Easy Action, Laughing Hyenas, Necros) filled out the lineup.
On May 20, 2007, Negative Approach concluded No Fun Fest in Brooklyn, featuring a guest appearance by Thurston Moore on guitar for two tracks.
The band embarked on a short northeastern US tour in April 2008, performing in Brooklyn and Providence, as well as playing at the wedding of Seth Putnam, founder of Anal Cunt. In June 2008, they toured Europe and later that year appeared in Los Angeles. Their US performances continued throughout 2009.
On July 31, 2010, Negative Approach performed at a Detroit event marking the release of Tony Rettman's book Why Be Something That You're Not. The show included influential Midwest hardcore bands such as Tesco Vee's Hate Police and Violent Apathy. Additionally, the event hosted a signing for Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine '79–'83 by Vee and Dave Stimson.
In 2010, Brannon discovered previously unreleased recordings from Negative Approach's lost 1984 studio sessions. Curtis Casella of Taang! Records agreed to issue these tracks—among them "Friends of No One," "Cargo Cult," "Kiss Me Kill Me," "Obsession," "Genocide," and a studio version of "I Got a Right." The tapes were restored by Jim Diamond. Taang! released this material as Nothing Will Stand in Our Way in November 2011. Around this period, the band appeared at Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest with Anthony DeLuca (formerly of Swirlies) substituting for Moore on drums. This formation toured extensively during 2012, including US dates alongside Off! and European shows supporting Punch.
Influences and style
Negative Approach’s sound was profoundly influenced by Detroit’s proto-punk innovators, the Stooges. Vocalist John Brannon acknowledged guitarist Ron Asheton as a key inspiration shaping both their sonic identity and lyrical themes. The band also drew from British hardcore punk groups like Discharge and Oi! acts including Blitz and Sham 69. Nevertheless, Negative Approach developed a distinctly harsher and more ferocious style—marked by raw, nihilistic hardcore that channeled anger and frustration. Brannon’s commanding vocal delivery and stage presence set a standard that influenced many later hardcore performers.
Band members
- Current
- John Brannon – vocals (1981–1984, 2006–present)
- Harry Richardson – guitars (2006–present)
- Ron Sakowski – bass (2006–present)
- John Lehl – drums (2006–present)
- Former
- Rob McCulloch – guitars (1981–1983)
- Graham McCulloch – bass (1981–1983)
- Pete Zelewski – bass (1981)
- Zuheir – drums (1981)
- Chris "Opie" Moore – drums (1981–1983, 2006)
- Touring
- Kelly Dermody – guitars (1984)
- Dave – bass (1984)
- Mike McCabe – drums (1984)
- Anthony DeLuca – drums (2011/2012)
- Chuck Burns – drums (2013)
Studio albums
- Tied Down (1983, Touch and Go Records)
EPs
- Negative Approach 7-inch/CD EP (1982, Touch and Go Records)
- Friends of No One 7-inch/CD EP (recorded in 1984; released 2010, Taang! Records)
Demos
- 1st Demo (May 1981)
- Lost Cause Demo (August 1981)
- EP Demo First Version (late 1981 to early 1982)
- Tied Down Demo (also known as Rice City Demo) (June 1983)
Compilation albums
- Total Recall (1992, Touch and Go)
- Ready to Fight: Demos, Live and Unreleased 1981-83 (2005, Reptilian)
- Nothing Will Stand in Our Way (2011, Taang! Records)
Videos
- Fair Warning, Vol. 1 (2006)
- Fair Warning, Vol. 2 (2007)
- Can't Tell No One (2008)
Other appearances
- "Lost Cause" featured on the Process of Elimination 7-inch EP (1981, Touch and Go Records)
- "Can't Tell No One" included in Reagan Regime Review (1992, Selfless)
- "Sick of Talk" contributed to Sugar Daddy Live Split Series Vol. 5, a split 12-inch alongside Melvins, Die Kreuzen, and Necros (2012, Amphetamine Reptile)
- "Borstal Breakout" appeared on the Bash 13 10-inch split EP (2013, Amphetamine Reptile)
- "Friend or Foe" featured on the soundtrack for American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986 (2006, Rhino Entertainment)