Negative Approach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

1 Influences and style
2 History
3 After Negative Approach
4 2006 Reunion Show
5 Discography
6 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] History

Negative Approach was formed in August 1981 in Detroit, Michigan by John Brannon and Pete Zelewski, 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 left the band to form the Allied and was replaced by Rob McCullough's brother Graham. Zuheir was later replaced by Chris "O.P." Moore. The lineup of Brannon/McCullough/McCullough/Moore would remain unchanged until NA disbanded.

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 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.

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 classic line-up fell apart in 1983 during their tour in support of Tied Down, playing their last show in Memphis.

Afterwards, Brannon assembled a new line-up with members Dave (bass), Kelly (guitar) and Mike (drums), their last names unknown. This version of Negative Approach played a series of live shows throughout 1984 which featured some new songs, such as "Obsession," "Tunnel Vision," "Kiss Me Kill Me" and a cover of "I Got A Right" by the Stooges. This line-up can be heard on the Live at the Newtown Theater bootleg 7" and some live tracks recorded at Boston's Paradise club that appear on the Total Recall discography CD.

[edit] After Negative Approach

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.

O.P. Moore moved out from behind the drums to front '80s/'90s alt-rock act Crossed Wire along with Rob McCulloch. After Crossed Wire, Rob McCulloch attended college and has not pursued a career in music, although he maintains a home recording studio. 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 Washington, DC and joined the Meatmen before forming Earth 18 with John "Bubba" Dupree (formerly of Void). Earth 18 released several albums and toured the US, opening for Nitzer Ebb. After Earth 18 disbanded Graham played for several years in Mother May I.

[edit] 2006 Reunion Show

It was announced in May 2006 that Brannon and Moore would play a Negative Approach reunion show, of sorts, for Touch & Go's 25th Anniversary show on September 9, 2006, as well as two later shows in the UK - London on December 7 and at All Tomorrow's Parties on December 10. Despite repeated efforts by Rob and Graham McCulloch to be a part of the reunion and have the classic NA lineup play, John refused; it was instead announced that Harold Richardson (of Brannon's current band Easy Action) and Ron Sakowski (formerly of Easy Action, Laughing Hyenas, and Necros) would complete the lineup. Rob and Graham maintain that the appearance shouldn't be labeled as Negative Approach without the classic NA lineup. The whole affair has generated considerable controversy, and there is little agreement as to exactly who is in the right and for what reasons.

[edit] 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)