Government Issue

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the band Government Issue. For the term, see GI (term).

Government Issue (often just GI) was an American hardcore punk band (although some people consider them straight edge due to singer John Stabb's abstinance from drugs and alcohol during his time with the band) originating from the Washington, D.C. 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.

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 Rites of Spring and many others.

The G.I.s became one of the longest-running bands in the DC hardcore scene. After numerous line-up changes, the band broke up in 1989. Vocalist John Stabb was the only member to stay the whole time. He later went on to form Betty Blue in the mid 90's. Guitarist Tom Lyle formed an experimental outfit called Glee Club which released two albums. Lyle also recorded two hard rock solo records in 1990 and 1992 respectively.

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.

Bassist Jay Robbins went on to form Jawbox. Robbins later formed Burning Airlines with GI drummer Peter Moffett.

Stabb formed the DC quintet The Factory Incident in 2000.

Stabb has remarked that "...there is much to be said about watching g.i. when you're not barely legal."