Portraits of Past
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Robert Pettersen, Jonah Buffa, Rex John Shelverton, Matthew Martin Bajda, Jeremy Bringetto |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 2008 and announced reunion in 2025 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco Bay Area , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
| Website | www |
Portraits of Past is a post-hardcore ensemble originating from the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States, with their main period of activity spanning 1994 to 1995. They are recognized as pioneers in shaping the musical style that would eventually be identified as "screamo," although this label was not applied during their original tenure. Their acclaim grew significantly following their dissolution in 1995.
Members who previously played in the group later contributed to various other musical endeavors such as Nexus Six, Seventeen Queen, The Audience, Funeral Diner, Vue, Bellavista, and …Who Calls So Loud.
In 2008, Portraits of Past reassembled for a series of performances across California and New York, where they introduced a new composition. Vocalist Rob Pettersen expressed ambivalence regarding future recordings but remained open to possibilities. This new work was subsequently issued on the EP Cypress Dust Witch through Excursions Into The Abyss in October 2009.
The band announced a reunion in 2025, scheduling shows in California with potential dates on the East Coast, accompanied by a reissue of their self-titled album shortly thereafter.
Members
Robert Pettersen (vocals) Jonah Buffa (guitar) Rex John Shelverton (guitar, vocals) Matthew Martin Bajda (drums) Jeremy Bringetto (bass)
Discography
- Studio albums
- Portraits Of Past (1996, Ebullition)
- EPs
- Demo Tape (1993, Self-released)
- Portraits of Past/Bleed split 7-inch (1994, Ebullition)
- Cypress Dust Witch CD/12" (2009, Excursions Into The Abyss)
- Compilation albums
- Portraits of Past discography CD (2008, Ebullition)
- Compilation appearances
- XXX: Some Ideas Are Poisonous (1995, Ebullition) – "Sticks Together"
- Stealing The Pocket (1995, Positively Punk) – "The Song With The Slow Part"