Violent Reaction
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Tom Pimlott |
| Headquarters | Liverpool, Leeds , England |
| Products | Hardcore punk music |
Violent Reaction was a straight edge hardcore punk ensemble from England, originally conceived as a solo endeavor by Tom Pimlott in Liverpool. Following Pimlott's move to Leeds, the project evolved into a full band for live appearances. Highlighted by Mike Clark in Straight Edge: A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History as a prominent contemporary straight edge group, they were integral to the New Wave of British Hardcore movement.
History
The origins of Violent Reaction trace back to 2011 when Tom Pimlott launched it as a solo venture, issuing the demos Violent Reaction and Session One through Mind Rot Records that same year. Their 2012 EP titled Violent Reaction was released via Quality Control HQ, 6131 Records, and Mind Rot Records, succeeded by the 2013 LP City Streets on Painkiller Records. Upon relocating to Leeds, Pimlott assembled additional musicians to perform live. The band embarked on a U.S. tour in 2013 supporting Hounds of Hate, followed by another American tour in 2014 with backing from the Flex. In 2015, they shared co-headlining duties on a U.S. tour alongside Arms Race. Their sophomore album, Marching On, was issued on 31 March 2015 through Revelation Records, making them the first non-U.S. act signed to that label. In June 2016, Violent Reaction declared their disbandment effective at the end of that year after completing a European tour with Arms Race.
Musical style
Their sound merges American-style hardcore punk with influences drawn from UK82 and Oi! genres. The band cites inspirations such as Poison Idea, Out Cold, Negative Approach, State of Alert, Agnostic Front, Minor Threat, SSD, the 4 Skins, Blitz, 86 Mentality, and Straight Ahead. They are widely regarded within the hardcore punk scene. Peter Freyer of Slug Magazine characterized their music as "a blend of Negative Approach and U.K. street punk infused with substantial elements of NYHC."
Band members
- Tom Pimlott – vocals (2011–2015)
- Tom "Razor" Hardwick – guitar (2013–2015)
- Charlie "Chubby Charles" Fresh – guitar, bass (2013–2015)
- Jimmy "J–Town" Wizard – bass, guitar (2013–2014)
- Callum Baird – bass (2014–2015)
- Nick "Skins" Sarnella – drums (2013–2015)
Discography
- Albums
- City Streets (2013)
- Marching On (2015)
- EPs
- Violent Reaction (2012)
- Dead End (2014)
- Demos
- Violent Reaction (2011)
- Session One (2011)