Negative Approach (commonly called “NA”) were one of the first hardcore punk bands. They are considered one of the pioneers of this genre, along with bands like Minor Threat, Bad Brains and Black Flag. Like most hardcore bands, they were almost completely unknown in their day. They are now idolized in hardcore subculture, considered to be one of the elite bands of the “old school” era, and continue to be a very influential band. Hardcore punk—also known as hardcore in the punk rock and heavy metal scenes—is a faster, heavier version of punk rock, characterized by short, loud, and often passionate songs. ... Minor Threat was a short-lived but incredibly influential hardcore punk band from Washington DC, often credited with starting the straight edge movement. ... The Bad Brains are an extremely influential American all-black hardcore punk and reggae band, originally formed in Washington, DC in 1977. ... Black Flag can refer to: Black Flag is a brand of insecticide made by the Fountainhead Group. ...

Influences and style

NA's musical style was based on Detroit proto-punk icons The Stooges, British punk rock (especially Discharge) and Oi! music (Blitz, 4-Skins, et. al.), although from the start their sound and demeanor were considerably more aggressive and brutal than that of their influences. NA's brand of hardcore was savage and nihilistic, exuding frustration, alienation and rage. This was personified in the band's vocalist John Brannon, an intimidating and intense young man with a shaved head, piercing stare and belligerent attitude. His vocal style and stage presence set the standard for those that followed. The Stooges are an American rock band that was first active from about 1967 to 1974, and then reformed in 2003. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Discharge is an influential United Kingdom UK 82 hardcore band. ... Oi! is a sub-genre of punk rock that sought to align punk with a working-class street level following, originating in the United Kingdom. ... The 4-Skins were an Oi! band formed in the late 1970s at Waterloo, and disbanded in 1984. ...

History

Negative Approach was formed in August 1981 in Detroit, Michigan by Brannon, supposedly after seeing a Black Flag/Necros show. The first NA lineup consisted of Brannon on vocals, Rob McCullough on guitar, Pete Zelewski on bass and Zuheir on drums. Not long after, Zelewski was replaced by McCullough's brother Graham, and Zuheir was replaced by Chris “O.P.” Moore. The lineup of Brannon/McCullough/McCullough/Moore would remain unchanged until NA disbanded. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Motor City, Motown, D-Town, The D, The Renaissance City, Detroit Rock City Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates , Government Country State County United States Michigan Wayne County... Black Flag can refer to: Black Flag is a brand of insecticide made by the Fountainhead Group. ... The Necros were an early hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio. ...

NA's first gig was in the basement of Necros drummer Todd Swalla's mother's home. Soon after, they recorded a demo, and followed that up with an appearance on the Process of Elimination compilation 7” EP, released on Meatmen frontman Tesco Vee's fledgling Touch & Go label, named after his fanzine of the same name. The comp also featured the Necros and the Meatmen, among others. NA, the Necros and the Meatmen then embarked on the Process of Elimination tour. Though this “tour” consisted of a mere three shows (Boston, New York City and Washington, DC), it is cited as being a key event in the early spread of hardcore. The Meatmean were a Michigan band headed by Tesco Vee. ... Tesco Vee (b. ... Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, which began life in 1979 in East Lansing, Michigan as a magazine put out by Tesco Vee. ... A fanzine (see also: zine) is a nonprofessional publication produced by fans of a particular subject for the pleasure of others who share their interest. ... The Necros were an early hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio. ... The Meatmean were a Michigan band headed by Tesco Vee. ... Boston is a town and small port c. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Big Apple Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,214. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...

The first proper Negative Approach studio release came in 1982 with their self-titled 7” EP, also on Touch & Go. It contained some now-legendary songs such as “Can't Tell No One,” “Ready To Fight” and “Nothing,” which is considered by many to be the quintessential NA song. The quality of the recording is quite poor, but the performances themselves are powerful, and the record is now held in nearly universal high regard by hardcore fans. 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The following year saw the release of the Tied Down LP, also venerated as a hardcore classic. While it mostly contains more of the same ultra-fast, angry music as the 7”, the band also branched out somewhat and included a plodding dirge (“Evacuate”) and a (relatively) mid-tempo rocker (“Dead Stop”) on the album.

The band fell apart in 1983 during their tour in support of Tied Down, playing their last show in Memphis. John Brannon went on to front the proto-alternative band Laughing Hyenas (with ex-Necros Todd Swalla and Ron Sakowski), and currently sings for Easy Action. Chris "O.P." Moore moved out from behind the drums to front '80s/'90s alt-rock act Crossed Wire along with Rob McCulloch. Currently, Moore enjoys a respected solo career as an edgy roots-oriented singer and songwriter. His current band, Moore & Sons, features Lambchop member Dennis Cronin. Graham McCulloch moved to DC and was a member of the Meatmen before forming a band with John (Bubba) Dupree (of Void) named Earth 18. Earth 18 was signed to the Giant record label and released several CD's and toured the US opening for Nitzer Ebb. After Earth 18 disbanded Graham played for several years in the DC band Mother May I. After Crossed Wire Rob McCulloch went off to college and hasn't played out, although he has a recording studio setup at home and plays frequently with other local musicians from back in the day. Nickname The River City, The Bluff City Location Location in Shelby County and the state of Tennessee Government Country State Counties United States Tennessee Shelby County Mayor W. W. Herenton (D) Geographical characteristics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 294. ... The terms alternative rock and alternative music[1] were coined in the 1980s to describe punk rock-inspired bands which didnt fit into the mainstream genres of the time. ... Lambchop is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. ...

It was announced in May of 2006 that Brannon and Moore would play a Negative Approach reunion show, of sorts, for Touch & Go Records' 25th Anniversary show on September 9, 2006. Despite repeated efforts by Rob and Graham to be a part of the reunion show and have the real NA play the T&G benefit, John refused so Harold Richardson of Brannon's current band Easy Action, and Ron Sakowski (ex Easy Action, Laughing Hyenas, Necros) were announced to be filling out the lineup. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Discography

• 1981 Lost Cause demo
• 1981 "Lost Cause" on Process of Elimination compilation 7" EP (Touch & Go)
• 1982 Negative Approach 7" EP (Touch & Go)
• 1983 Tied Down demo
• 1983 Tied Down LP (Touch & Go)
• 1984 Rice City demo
• 1992 "Can't Tell No One" on Reagan Regime Review (Selfless) (a compilation of live tracks, released with the last issue of Touch & Go fanzine)
• 1992 Total Recall CD (Touch & Go) (discography)
• 2005 Ready to Fight: Demos, Live and Unreleased 1981-83 (Reptilian)

1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Negative Approach page on Kill From the Heart
• Negative Approach page on Motor City Rock