Government Issue (often just GI) were an American straight edge hardcore punk band originating from the Washington DC scene, formed in 1980 and signed to Dischord Records. Many early songs were straightforward hardcore, clocking in at under the one minute mark, but they later progressed into a more melodic song-focused outfit (citing The Damned as key to gaining this catchy sound) and often with lyrics critical of the short-sighted behavior of the scene they aided in creating. For the drawing or cutting tool, see Straightedge. ... Hardcore punk (or hardcore) is a faster and heavier version of Punk Rock usually characterized by short, loud, and often passionate songs with exceptionally fast tempos and chord changes. ... ... 1980 (MCMLXXX in Roman) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Dischord founders Ian Mackaye and Jeff Nelson Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based record label specializing in D.C.-area independent punk, hardcore, and post-hardcore music. ... This article is about the music group. ...

Given the long running nature of the band, many participants in the DC hardcore scene had gone through G.I.'s membership. Government issue featured Brian Baker of Minor Threat, as well as Mike Fellows of The Faith and many others. Minor Threat was a short-lived hardcore punk band from Washington DC. They have been hugely influential: Critics have called them and their work iconic, [1] and noted their groundbreaking music has held up better than most of their contemporaries. ... The Faith is a musical group consisting of five members. ...

The G.I.s, as they were known, became one of the longest-running bands in the DC hardcore scene. After numerous line-up changes, the band broke up in 1988, vocalist John Stabb (aka: "Fruit Loops") and guitarist Tom Lyle formed an experimental outfit called Glee Club and made two records. Tom Lyle made two solo records that were more straight-ahead hard rock in 1990 and 1992. 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII in Roman) was a leap year starting on a Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Tom Lyle, as well as Bassist J. Robbins and drummer Peter Moffett, regrouped to record 2 unrecorded GI songs. This was released as the Rollkicker Laydown EP. J. Robbins is an influential rock artist. ...

Bassist Jay Robbins went on to form Jawbox. Robbins later formed Burning Airlines with GI drummer Peter Moffett. Jawbox was a punk rock/indie rock/post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C.. Its members were J. Robbins (vocals/guitar), Bill Barbot (guitar), Kim Coletta (bass guitar), and Adam Wade & Zach Barocas (drums). ... Burning Airlines was started by former Jawbox members Jay Robbins and Bill Barbot. ...

Stabb formed the DC quintet The Factory Incident in 2000.