American Nightmare (they later changed their name to Give Up The Ghost due to legal issues with another band of the same name) were a hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts that formed in 1998. They put out one full-length and numerous EP's under their original name, and in 2003 changed their name and put out another full-length among other things, all on various great labels (Bridge 9, Equal Vision). They broke up in 2004, though have since done reunion shows in 2011 and 2012, and are scheduled to play more in 2013 (one of which is in Toronto, fuck yes). There's a very well-written and detailed biography of the band on Deathwish's site, written by Jacob Bannon himself. I'd suggest checking that out here.
AN/GUTG are one of the most noteable and influential hardcore bands ever, I'd go as far as to say. A particularly interesting thing I find about them is that they don't fall victim to any of hardcore's pigeonholes. They don't sound like they're replicating anything, but are still obviously rooted in punk. Early hardcore influence is certainly prominent, but instead of sounding like a throwback band, they manage to push it forward by taking everything that characterised it (speed, passion, intensity) and raise the bar to a whole new level. All the while they manage to incorporate some melodic tendencies, and perhaps some post-hardcore leanings. They are a sheer pummelling force, but with an emotional underbelly which prevents them from ever coming off as contrived. I don't know what else needs to be said. Enjoy what these legends have given us.
A few notes on their discography: Everything they released under "American Nightmare" is titled as such, with the original artwork to match (a few things have been re-issued to fit their new name). Everything they did as "Give Up The Ghost" is left as that, except for Year One, which was released after the name change, though is a compilation of material they did under the original name (the self-titled, The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter, and other miscellaneous tracks). I'm missing a live 7" they did in London, so if anyone has that, you know what to do and how much I'll love you.
1. The Ice Age Is Coming
2. Please Die
3. Sore Throat Syndrome
4. The Day The Music Died
1. Protest Song #00
2. Sore Throat Syndrome
3. Fuck What Fireworks Stand For
4. The Ice Age Is Coming
5. Please Die
6. The Day The Music Died
7. Farewell
1. There's A Black Hole In The Shadow Of The Pru
2. I've Shared Your Lips So Now They Sicken Me
3. Hearts
4. Dead And Gone (The Trouble cover)
5. It's The Limit (Cro-Mags cover)
1. (We Are)
2. There's A Black Hole In The Shadows Of The Pru
3. AM/PM
4. Shoplifting In A Ghost Town
5. I Saved Latin
6. Postmark My Compass
7. I.C. You Are Feeling Drake
8. Hearts
9. God Save The Queen
10. Your Arsonist
11. Farewell
7. Depression (Black Flag cover)
Love American Demo 2002-2003
1. Love American
2. Since Always
3. Calculation-Nation
4. Kick Out The Jams (MC5 cover)
5. Depression (Black Flag cover)
1. Love American
2. Hell We've Been Living In
3. You And Me (Archers Of Loaf cover)
1. (It's Sometimes Like It Never Started)
2. Love American
3. Young Hearts Be Free Tonight
4. Since Always
5. Calculation-Nation
6. The Last Supper After Party
7. Crimescene
8. Bluem
9. Aeiou
10. Crush Of The Year
11. No Lotions Gonna Unclog These Pores
12. We Killed It
13. (And It's Sometimes Like It Will Never End)
1. Protest Song #00
2. Sore Throat Syndrome
3. Fuck What Fireworks Stand For
4. The Ice Age Is Coming
5. Please Die
6. The Day The Music Died
7. Farewell
8. There's A Black Hole In The Shadow Of Pru
9. I've Shared Your Lips Now They Sicken Me
10. Hearts
11. Dead And Gone (The Trouble cover)
12. It's The Limit (Cro-Mags cover)
13. Kick Out The Jams (MC5 cover)
14. Shoplifting In A Ghost Town (Live)
1. The World Is Blue
2. Flowers Under Siege
3. American Death
4. War
5. Gloom Forever
6. Lower Than Life
7. Colder Than Death
8. Dream
9. Crisis Of Faith
1. Life Support
2. Left For Dead
1. How I Got Away
2. Self Check-Out
3. Real Love
4. Praying Hands On Fire
good recopilation, tnx for share !
ReplyDeletesick disco! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnybody have a copy of the documentary by any chance?
ReplyDeletebest band ever. thanks for share
ReplyDeletethese guys made it acceptable to have emo lyrics in hardcore, i call bullshit. the 2000's were garbage for HC.
ReplyDeleteYeah, because hardcore bands like Rites of Spring weren't doing in 15 years before AN ever came around.
DeleteThanks for these! do you happen to have the Live in London 7"? I have it on white vinyl, but don't have the necessary equipment to rip to mp3/wav/flac/etc.
ReplyDeleteWould be great if you could re-upload these thanks :)
ReplyDelete