Negative Approach

Negative Approach are a seminal four-piece hardcore punk band from Detroit, Michigan that initially existed from 1981 to 1984, though reunited in 2006 and have been playing shows ever since. This band is one of the undisputed best and most important hardcore bands ever. They were defined by their anger, aggression, and vocalist John Brannon's distinct bark and less-than-positive lyricism, all of which hold up for years after their incarnation, and have continued to be influential even to this day.

In their original few years as a band, their main recorded output consisted of a self-titled 7" and one LP, Tied Down, both on Touch And Go Records. Their legacy would really be solidified years after, with the release of Total Recall, which compiled both their EP and LP, in addition to demos and live tracks, all from their initial three years as a band. This compilation is absolutely essential, and I would rank it among certain other hardcore bests (Minor Threat's Complete Discography, Black Flag's The First Four Years, etc.) This is classic hardcore punk 101.

Post-Negative Approach, Brannon formed another incredible band, Laughing Hyenas, which played a blues-punk hybrid. I'd also highly recommend giving them a listen (there's a post on them from a few months ago). He was also in another band called Easy Action. In 2006, Negative Approach was reformed by Brannon and drummer Chris "Opie" Moore, both who were a part of the original NA line-up. Since then, they've played a few sporadic shows, tours, and festivals. This band has got a strong legacy, and some timeless songs that don't age easily. Highly, highly recommended. Enjoy.

Tied Down (1983)

1. Tied Down

2. Hypocrite

3. Evacuate

4. Said And Done

5. Nothing

6. Your Mistake

7. Live Your Life

8. Friend or Foe

9. Dead Stop

10. I'll Survive

Total Recall (1992)

1. Lost Cause

2. Can't Tell No One

3. Sick Of Talk

4. Pressure

5. Why Be Something That You're Not

6. Nothing

7. Fair Warning

8. Ready To Fight

9. Lead Song

10. Whatever I Do

11. Negative Approach

12. Tied Down

13. Hypocrite

14. Evacuate

15. Said And Done

16. Nothing

17. Your Mistake

18. Live Your Life

19. Friend Or Foe

20. Dead Stop

21. I'll Survive

22. Can't Tell No One

23. Whatever I Do

24. Ready To Fight

25. Chaos

26. Pressure + Fair Warning

27. Lost Cause

28. Genocide + Lost Cause

29. Never Surrender

30. D.A.B.F.

31. Said And Done

32. Sick Of Talk + N.A.

33. Your Mistake

34. Tied Down

35. I'll Survive

36. Kiss Me Kill Me

37. I Got A Right

38. Tunnel Vision

Ready To Fight (2005)

1. Pressure

2. No Doubt About It

3. Don't Calle Me Up

4. I Don't Want It

5. Sick Of Talk

6. Ready To Fight

7. Lost Cause

8. Chaos

9. Fashionable Idiots

10. Negative Approach

11. Your Mistake

12. Friend Or Foe

13. Live Your Life

14. Tied Down

15. Hypocrite

16. I'll Survive

17. Nothing

18. Said And Done

19. Can't Tell No One

20. Sick Of Talk

21. Whatever I Do

22. Shit For Brains

23. Ready To Fight

24. Friend Or Foe

25. Live Your Life

26. Said And Done

27. Lead Song

28. Nothing

29. Fair Warning

30. Never Surrender

31. Negative Approach

32. Tied Down

33. Ready To Fight

34. Fair Warning

35. Hypocrite

36. Why Be Something That You're Not

37. Friend Or Foe

38. Dead Stop

39. Whatever I Do

40. Sick Of Talk

41. Can't Tell No One

42. Your Mistake

43. Live Your Life

44. Nothing

45. Negative Approach

46. Evacuate

47. Chaos

48. DABF

49. Pressure

50. Genocide

Note: Tracks 1-18 are demos, tracks 19-50 are live

Friends Of No One (2010)

1. Friends Of No One

2. Obsession

3. I Got A Right (The Stooges cover)

4. Cargo Cult

5. Kiss Me Kill Me

6. Genocide

Note: Recorded in 1984