Defeater (band)
Encyclopedia
Defeater is a hardcore punk
band from Massachusetts
, USA. To date they have released two full length albums, an EP and a single. The band lineup consists of Derek Archambault (vocals
), Jay Maas (guitar
), Jake Woodruff (guitar
), Andy Reitz (drums
) and Mike Poulin (bass
). All of the band's works have been released via Bridge 9 Records, aside from the album Travels, which was initially released via Top Shelf Records, but was later reissued on Bridge 9 Records.
They have toured with the likes of La Dispute
, Carpathian
, Comeback Kid
, Bane
and Miles Away
.
They are due to play the second stage at Hevy Music Festival
2011.
band who like to take "creative liberties" when crafting songs. According to guitarist Jay Maas, "There's a prevalent thing in this genre where if you're not doing what hardcore bands have been doing for the last 25 years almost verbatim, you're fucking up." Defeater also showed their softer side with the four acoustic
tracks at the end of their second studio album Empty Days & Sleepless Nights.
Similar to the American progressive rock
band Coheed and Cambria
, Defeater is a concept band whose body of work features an overarching story-line told through multiple concept albums. The narrative highlights the hardships and internal conflicts faced by a working-class family living on the Jersey Shore during the post-WWII period. On why this era is of interest to the group, Maas said it's because, "it's seen as this period of great American prosperity but there was still a lot of racism, sexism and homophobia. We write about these prejudices and things like war and murder and how they affected real people. All these things definitely contradict those Norman Rockwell
-rosy images of that period."
EPs
Singles
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA. To date they have released two full length albums, an EP and a single. The band lineup consists of Derek Archambault (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
), Jay Maas (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Jake Woodruff (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Andy Reitz (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) and Mike Poulin (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
). All of the band's works have been released via Bridge 9 Records, aside from the album Travels, which was initially released via Top Shelf Records, but was later reissued on Bridge 9 Records.
They have toured with the likes of La Dispute
La Dispute (band)
La Dispute is a five piece band from Grand Rapids, Michigan that formed in 2004. As of 2011, they have released two albums and seven EPs. La Dispute consists of lead vocalist Jordan Dreyer, drummer Brad Vander Lugt, guitarists Chad Sterenberg and Kevin Whittemore and bass guitarist Adam Vass.The...
, Carpathian
Carpathian (band)
Carpathian was a hardcore punk band based in Australia. The band was formed in 2003, in Melbourne, Australia, and their final line-up comprised lead vocalist Martin Kirby, guitarists Josh Manitta and Lloyd Carroll, bass guitarist Ed Redclift and drummer David Bichard...
, Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 2002, the band is currently signed to Facedown Records. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy...
, Bane
Bane (band)
Bane, a hardcore punk band, began as a side project between Aaron Dalbec and Damon Bellardo. Aaron approached Matt Firestone to sing and they played under the moniker of Gateway for a few shows, before Firestone departed ways to focus on other projects...
and Miles Away
Miles Away (band)
Miles Away is an Australian hardcore punk band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 2002.-History:Miles Away was formed in mid 2002 by Andre and Monty who had a bunch of songs they wanted to use for an old school hardcore band...
.
They are due to play the second stage at Hevy Music Festival
Hevy Music Festival
Hevy Music Festival is a rock festival that takes place annually near Folkestone in the UK. It was originally held on 1 August 2009 on Folkestone seafront as a one-day festival with Feeder, Gary Numan and Ash as headliners. In 2010 it moved to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and grew to a weekend...
2011.
Musical style and lyrics
Defeater is a hardcore punkHardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band who like to take "creative liberties" when crafting songs. According to guitarist Jay Maas, "There's a prevalent thing in this genre where if you're not doing what hardcore bands have been doing for the last 25 years almost verbatim, you're fucking up." Defeater also showed their softer side with the four acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
tracks at the end of their second studio album Empty Days & Sleepless Nights.
Similar to the American progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Coheed and Cambria
Coheed and Cambria
Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York. Formed in 1995, the group incorporates aspects of progressive rock, punk rock, metal and post-hardcore....
, Defeater is a concept band whose body of work features an overarching story-line told through multiple concept albums. The narrative highlights the hardships and internal conflicts faced by a working-class family living on the Jersey Shore during the post-WWII period. On why this era is of interest to the group, Maas said it's because, "it's seen as this period of great American prosperity but there was still a lot of racism, sexism and homophobia. We write about these prejudices and things like war and murder and how they affected real people. All these things definitely contradict those Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell
Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
-rosy images of that period."
Discography
Studio albums- Travels (2008)
- Empty Days & Sleepless NightsEmpty Days & Sleepless NightsEmpty Days & Sleepless Nights is the second studio album by the American hardcore punk band Defeater. The album was released on March 8, 2011 through Bridge Nine Records.- Track listing :Empty Days# "Warm Blood Rush" – 2:28...
(2011)
EPs
- Lost GroundLost GroundLost Ground is an EP released by Defeater . It is a concept album following a man's story from his entrance to the army during WWII, to his return home and the hardships that he faces.-Track listing:-Personnel:Defeater...
(2009)
Singles
- "Dear FatherDear Father (song)"Dear Father" is a single released by the American hardcore punk band Defeater. The song, and its accompanying acoustic B-side "I Don't Mind", are from the group's second studio album Empty Days & Sleepless Nights...
" (2011)