American Nightmare (band)

Last updated

American Nightmare
Americannightmare.jpg
Background information
Also known asAN
American Nothing
Give Up the Ghost
Origin Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active1998–2004, 2011–present
Labels Rise, Bridge 9, Equal Vision, Burning Heart, Deathwish
Members Wesley Eisold
Joshua Holden
Brian Masek
Alex Garcia-Rivera
Jim Carroll
Past members Jarrod Alexander
Jesse Gustafson
Frank Iero [ citation needed ]
Nate Helm
Azy Relph
Jesse Van Diest
Zachary Wilson
Matt Woods
Tim Cossar
Colin Kimble
Website americannightmare.net

American Nightmare (briefly known as Give Up the Ghost) is an American hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. [1] They have released three albums, one EP and a compilation of earlier released material under the name American Nightmare. [2]

Contents

History

Formation (1998–2004)

American Nightmare was formed when Tim Cossar and Wesley Eisold (who was then a roadie for Ten Yard Fight) met up with Azy Relph and Jesse Van Diest in 1998. They recorded a demo tape in 1999, followed by their debut release, a self-titled EP on Bridge 9 Records in 2000. [3] After extensive touring and line-up changes, the band recorded their second EP, The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter. [4] This was later combined with their self-titled effort to form Year One, which was released by Reflections Records in 2001 and reissued posthumously by Bridge 9. [5]

Their debut full-length, Background Music , was recorded for Equal Vision Records and released in 2001. [6] In 2003, the band faced a legal battle with a similarly named band from Philadelphia. The band then changed their name briefly to the initials "A.N." then to American Nothing for a brief period. After the other American Nightmare threatened to file suit again, they changed their name to Give Up the Ghost (which was intended to be the name of their second album). [7] Their second full length, We're Down Til We're Underground released on Equal Vision, displayed the band experimenting with their sound, with longer songs that did not follow the typical hardcore songwriting formula they had adhered to in their previous releases.

Breakup and aftermath (2004–2010)

The band broke up suddenly in June 2004, a day after announcing the cancellation of a European tour. [8] The band issued a statement which cited "health and personal reasons" for the split. [9] Members went on to join/form other bands such as Cold Cave, Some Girls, [10] XO Skeletons, Ye Olde Maids, Head Automatica, [11] Bars, and the Hope Conspiracy. Give Up the Ghost came back into the headlines in 2007 under accusations that Fall Out Boy had taken lyrics from Wes Eisold, the band's lyricist, resulting in an out-of-court settlement and a credit in the liner notes of both the multi-platinum selling From Under the Cork Tree and Infinity on High . [12]

Reunion shows (2011–present)

After seven years of disbandment, the band reunited under their original name and performed two reunion shows in December 2011. The band performed in Revere, Massachusetts on December 29, and in Los Angeles on December 31. Deathwish Inc. reissued the albums Background Music (2001) and We're Down Til We're Underground (2003) to coincide with the reunion dates. [13] Since the original 2011 reunion shows, American Nightmare have played a small handful of shows almost every year. [14] [15] In November 2017 they announced a new album for release on February 16, 2018, through Rise Records. The first track from the self-titled album, The World Is Blue, was released December 19, 2017.

In January 2022, the band embarked on a Background Music 20th Anniversary tour, playing the album in its entirety. The tour was supported by Chemical Fix, as well as Gel on the east coast dates and Scowl on the west coast dates.

Musical style and legacy

American Nightmare have been categorised as hardcore punk, [16] melodic hardcore [17] and emo. [18] Their music was a reaction against the lyrical positivity of Youth Crew revival bands that had been popular in Boston at the time like In My Eyes, Floorpunch and Bane. The band pursued a more dark and nihilistic sound in comparison through the influence of the Smiths and Joy Division. [19] [20] Other influences include Black Flag, the Cro-Mags and Siouxsie and the Banshees. [21] Their music often makes use of high-tempos, breakdowns, gang vocals and singalongs. [20] They have been cited as an influence by the White Noise, [22] Frameworks, [23] Killing The Dream, Defeater, Touché Amoré and Dead Swans. [24]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

EPs

Compilation contributions

Related Research Articles

Youth crew is a music subculture of hardcore punk, which was particularly prominent during the New York hardcore scene of the late 1980s. Youth crew is distinguished from other punk styles by its optimism and moralistic outlook. The original youth crew bands and fans were predominantly straight edge.

DYS is an American straight edge hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, who were part of the "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX. The group later expanded their sound, becoming one of the first hardcore bands to veer into heavy metal.

Blacklisted was an American hardcore punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have toured North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrod Alexander</span> American drummer

Jarrod Fletcher Alexander is an American musician who has played with many hardcore punk bands. He has been a member of The Suicide File, A Static Lullaby, Dead Country, and more recently, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, Matt Skiba, Meg Myers, and Necessary Noise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equal Vision Records</span> American record label

Equal Vision Records is an independent record label based in Albany, New York. It was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo, singer for the punk bands Youth of Today, Shelter, and Better Than a Thousand.

Some Girls was an American hardcore punk band consisting of a collective of musicians who came from different backgrounds and all who had established hardcore bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelter (band)</span> American hardcore punk band

Shelter is an American Hare Krishna hardcore punk band formed by Youth of Today vocalist Ray Cappo in 1991. Because of the religious Hindu-oriented messages in its lyrics, Shelter's subgenre has been dubbed by some as Krishnacore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planes Mistaken for Stars</span> American rock band

Planes Mistaken for Stars was an American rock band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997. Working with several different labels, they released three studio albums and four EPs before breaking up in 2008. While rooted in the post-hardcore and emo scenes of the turn of the century, Planes Mistaken for Stars developed a distinctive musical style strongly influenced by heavy metal and rock and roll. Reuniting for live performances in 2010, they went on to release their fourth album Prey in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deathwish Inc.</span> American independent record label

Deathwish, Inc. is an American independent record label conceived by Jacob Bannon of Converge and Tre McCarthy in 2000. Their first release was Deeper the Wound, a split album between Converge and Japanese band Hellchild on April 23, 2001. Deathwish established itself quickly, working with a diverse group of bands and eventually becoming one of the most respected and innovative labels in contemporary hardcore punk and aggressive music in general.

Burn is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1989. After releasing four EPs across three decades, Burn released its first full-length album Do or Die through Deathwish Inc. in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern Life Is War</span> American hardcore punk band

Modern Life Is War is an American hardcore punk band formed in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 2002. During Modern Life Is War's six-year original run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7-inch EP. Despite a growing profile on the underground hardcore circuit, and garnering critical acclaim from numerous musical outlets, Modern Life Is War announced its dissolution in early 2008; however, the band reunited in 2012.

The Hope Conspiracy is an American hardcore punk band from Boston formed in late 1999. They were picked up by Equal Vision Records and Bridge 9 Records before signing a deal with Deathwish Records.

Vic DiCara is a krishnacore guitarist, vocalist and bass guitarist. He played in Beyond, Inside Out, Shelter, Burn, and later the Hare Krishna band 108. As part of the band 108, DiCara was instrumental in recording three albums considered influential in the hardcore punk scene of the 1990s. DiCara is also noted for the incorporation of Hindu spirituality into his music.

The Suicide File was an American hardcore punk band from Boston that formed in April 2001. The band wrote songs mostly about social and personal problems. Most of the band's output was released on the Southern California-based hardcore label Indecision Records. The band reunited in June 2006 to embark on their first European Tour. Members of the bands are or have been affiliated with The Hope Conspiracy, Death By Stereo, When Tigers Fight, Adamantium, American Nightmare, Clouds, Panic and many more. Most of these are bands with whom Alexander has drummed for short periods of time. Despite their short tenure, The Suicide File continues to be revered within the hardcore punk community for their musical output and lasting impression on the flourishing Boston hardcore scene. The band since 2006 has played a small number of successfully sized reunion sets.

108 is an American hardcore band founded in 1991. Their music reflects the Hare Krishna faith of the band members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wesley Eisold</span> American musician, poet and author

Wesley Eisold is an American musician, poet and author. He records music under the name Cold Cave, and runs the publishing house Heartworm Press.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Cave</span> American rock band

Cold Cave is the solo project for musician Wesley Eisold, described as a "collage of darkwave, noise, and synthpop." A number of reviewers note the affinity with early 1980s post-punk and early synthpop, in particular Joy Division and New Order.

<i>Background Music</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Give Up the Ghost

Background Music is the debut studio album by the American hardcore punk band Give Up the Ghost. The album was originally released on June 12, 2001 through Equal Vision Records under the name American Nightmare, but was later reissued in 2003 under the name Give Up the Ghost after another band named American Nightmare filed a cease and desist order. Background Music was also reissued in 2011 through Deathwish Inc. in celebration of the band's reunion shows.

<i>Were Down Til Were Underground</i> 2003 studio album by Give Up the Ghost

We're Down Til We're Underground is the second studio album by the American hardcore band Give Up the Ghost. The album was released on September 23, 2003 through Equal Vision Records. We're Down Til We're Underground was later reissued in 2011 through Deathwish Inc. to coincide with the band's reunion shows.

Alex Garcia-Rivera is an American rock drummer, drum-tech and recording engineer from Boston, Massachusetts. He has been the drummer for the bands Shelter, Piebald, Good Clean Fun, Bloodhorse, 454 Big Block, Saves The Day, Cold Cave, but is best known as the drummer for hardcore/punk band American Nightmare. He also performs all instruments in a solo band under the moniker Chrome Over Brass and owns and operates Mystic Valley Studio, an all-analog recording studio in Medford, Massachusetts.

References

  1. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Give Up the Ghost | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Give Up The Ghost". Discogs. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  3. ↑ "American Nightmare - American Nightmare". Discogs. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  4. ↑ "American Nightmare - The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter". Discogs. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  5. ↑ "American Nightmare - Year One". Discogs. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  6. ↑ "American Nightmare - Background Music". Discogs. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  7. ↑ "American Nightmare change their name". kerrang.com. March 17, 2003. Archived from the original on October 31, 2006. Retrieved April 1, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Give Up The Ghost Cancel UK Dates". Rock Sound magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Give Up The Ghost Give Up The Ghost!". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  10. ↑ "ARTISTdirect - Some Girls". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Head Automatica biography". Yahoo Music. Retrieved April 4, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ Dan Goss (2007). "Fall Out Boy's Local Lyricist". Philly.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  13. ↑ Battan, Carrie (October 27, 2011). "Give Up the Ghost (American Nightmare) Reunite for New Year's Shows". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  14. ↑ "American Nightmare aka Give Up The Ghost announce NYC Reunion Show July 22". blowthescene.com. May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  15. ↑ "American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost schedule 2015 dates". BrooklynVegan . Spin Media. October 2, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  16. ↑ Belis, Tito. "American Nightmare" . Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Give Up The Ghost". exclaim.ca. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  18. ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. New Wave of American Heavy Metal. p. 30. Boston Punk influenced Emo-Hardcore act American Nightmare was created by singer Wes Eisold and former Ten Yard Fight guitarist Tim Cossar, subsequently enrolling bassist Josh Holden and second guitarist Brian Masek. The band issued the 7" single "The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter" on Bridge Nine Records.
  19. ↑ Rettman, Tony. Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History.
  20. 1 2 "Wesley Eisold of American Nightmare Talks Legacy, Mental Health and Stripped Back Hardcore". Kerrang! . Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  21. ↑ Hughes, Josiah. "American Nightmare Announce New Album, Share "The World Is Blue"" . Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Getting Lost Within The White Noise & 'AM/PM'". Newnoisemagazine.com. August 11, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  23. ↑ Sacher, Andrew. "Five Notable Releases of the Week (2/16)" . Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Back on the Deck: American Nightmare – 'Background Music'" . Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  25. ↑ "American Nightmare Announce First Album in 15 Years, Share New Song: Listen - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. December 15, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.