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Pg. 99

From Alfawiki
Pg. 99
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1997 in Sterling, Virginia, United States
Defunct2003 (hiatus)
FateHiatus and reunion periods
SuccessorPygmy Lush (formed by some members)
Headquarters
Sterling
,
United States
Area served
United States, Europe
Key people
Chris Taylor, Mike Taylor, Blake "Tiny Dancer" Midgette, George Crum, Jonathan Moore, Cory Stevenson, Brandon Evans, Johnny Ward
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, splits, live performances
Number of employees
8 (final lineup) (2003)
Websitepg99.fit

Pg. 99 (occasionally stylized as pageninetynine) is a hardcore punk group originating from Sterling, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the screamo movement. Established as a six-member ensemble in late 1997 and concluding as an eight-member lineup in 2003, the band consisted of two vocalists, three guitarists, two bassists, and a drummer, gaining fame for their powerful live shows.

1997–2002: Active Years

Throughout their five-year span, Pg. 99 embarked on extensive touring, performing over 300 concerts across nine separate tours throughout the United States and Europe. Their body of work comprises three full-length albums, seven split records, an EP, two compilation albums, and a demo tape.

In early 1999, guitarist Mike Taylor teamed up with Andy Low, bassist of Reactor No. 7, to establish Robodog Records (which later became Robotic Empire). The label’s earliest releases included the Document #3 split 7-inch featuring both Pg. 99 and Reactor No. 7, along with the Document #4 tour-exclusive 6" record distributed during Pg. 99’s inaugural summer tour in 1999.

2003–2010: Hiatus Period

Following numerous tours across the US and Europe and a prolific release schedule, Pg. 99 dissolved in May 2003. Prior to disbanding, they had arranged for Steve Albini of Shellac and Big Black to produce their next release after Document No. 8. Guitarist Mike Taylor cited challenges related to managing a large group amid conflicting schedules and substance issues as reasons for ending the band, describing the dynamic as a "dysfunctional family" that required distance. Subsequently, four members formed the band Pygmy Lush.

Two completed but unreleased projects remain: a live performance DVD and a split 10-inch record with City of Caterpillar containing final recordings from both groups.

2011–present: Reunion Activities

Pg. 99 reunited briefly in August 2011 to perform Document No. 8 in its entirety at Richmond’s Best Friend's Day festival. Due to the event selling out quickly, they added an additional show at The Black Cat in Washington, DC. Opinions on producing new material varied within the band; Chris Taylor favored concentrating on Pygmy Lush while Mike Taylor showed interest in revisiting older songs and engaging in smaller projects.

In 2017, they announced another reunion tour alongside Majority Rule. Mike Taylor disclosed intentions to release the previously shelved Document #15 through his Yr Screaming Youth label.

On August 6, 2023, Pg. 99 performed as the closing act at Toronto’s New Friends Fest. A European tour comprising 17 dates was scheduled for spring 2025.

Musical Style and Inspirations

While often categorized under screamo, Pg. 99 prefers being identified simply as punk rock. Their sound is also linked to emoviolence and occasionally grindcore, with roots firmly planted in hardcore punk. Early recordings exhibited a direct style influenced by hardcore punk and grindcore genres; later releases such as Document #7 demonstrated more experimental approaches featuring progressive elements and atmospheric textures.

The band labels their releases as "documents," reflecting their creative state during recording sessions. Influences cited include Born Against, Rorschach, Deadguy, Unwound, Jeromes Dream, Leonard Cohen (notably referenced in their track "The Lonesome Waltz of Leonard Cohen"), Orchid, and Sunny Day Real Estate. Vocalist Chris Taylor was chiefly responsible for the artwork associated with their releases. Members have remained active within Virginia’s music community through participation in bands like City of Caterpillar, Enemy Soil, and Pygmy Lush.

Members

Current lineup

  • Chris Taylor – lead vocals (1997–2003, 2011, 2017–present)
  • Blake "Tiny Dancer" Midgette – lead vocals (1997–2003, 2011, 2017–present)
  • Mike Taylor – guitar (1997–2003, 2011, 2017–present)
  • George Crum – guitar (1997–2001, 2002–2003, 2011, 2017–present)
  • Jonathan Moore – guitar (2002–2003, 2011, 2017–present)
  • Cory Stevenson – bass guitar (2000–2002, 2017–present)
  • Brandon Evans – bass guitar (2000–2003, 2011, 2017–present)
  • Johnny Ward – drums (1997–2003, 2011, 2017–present)

Past members

  • T.L. Smoot – bass guitar (1997–2000)
  • Mike Casto – guitar (1999–2001)
  • Jeff Kane – programming and noise elements (1999)
  • Jonathon Wildman – bass guitar (2001)
  • Kevin Longendyke – bass guitar (2002–2003)
Member timeline


Discography

  • Document #1 - Demo cassette (self-issued, 1999)
  • Document #2 - Split 7-inch release with Enemy Soil (Sacapuntas Records, 1999)
  • Document #3 - Split 7-inch with Reactor No. 7 (Robodog Records, 1999)
  • Document #4 - Tour-only 6" EP (Robodog Records, 1999)
  • Document #5 - Debut full-length LP/CD (Reptilian Records, 2000)
  • Document #6 - Split 7-inch with Process is Dead (Witching Hour Records, 2000)
  • Document #7 - LP/CD release (Magic Bullet Records/Happy Couples Never Last, 2001)
  • Document #8 - LP/CD/Tape formats (Robotic Empire/Electric Human Project/Scene Police/Old Skool Kids/SzSS, 2001)
  • Document #9: A Split Personality - Split 7-inch with City of Caterpillar (Level Plane Records, 2001)
  • Document #10: Do You Need A Play To Stay? - Live split LP/CD with Waifle (Magic Bullet Records, 2001)
  • Document #11 - Reissue of Documents #3 and #4 on 7-inch (Robotic Empire, 2002)
  • Document #12 - Split LP/CD collaboration with Majority Rule (Magic Bullet Records, 2002)
  • Document #13: Pyramids in Cloth - Split 7-inch featuring Circle Takes the Square (Perpetual Motion Machine Records, 2002)
  • Document #14: Singles - CD compilation of all vinyl tracks, compilations and demos (Reptilian Records, 2003), reissued on vinyl by Robotic Empire in 2011

External links

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