Final Warning
Encyclopedia
Final Warning was an obscure yet influential Portland, Oregon
-based hardcore punk
band active from 1982 to 1986.
and vocalist Tim Paul. Between 1982 and 1983, the original line-up was rounded out by respective past and future Poison Idea
members Glenn Estes and Charlie Nims (aka Myrtle Tickner) on bass.
In early 1983 (after changing their name to Final Warning), Tim Paul switched to bass and Jeff Paul (no relation) joined the group on vocals. This would become the "classic" Final Warning line-up that would remain unchanged until Final Warning disbanded in 1986 (except for a brief period at the end of the band's career when Poison Idea
drummer Steve "Thee Slayer Hippie" Hanford played several shows with F.W. on second guitar).
Final Warning released one self-titled 7” E.P. on Poison Idea
guitarist Tom “Pig Champion” Robert's label, Fatal Erection Records in 1984. The following year Final Warning had a song ("I Quit") on the Drinking is Great Portland punk compilation E.P. (also released by Fatal Erection).
Final Warning would share the bill with many legendary bands during their career. Among them: Dead Kennedys
, Scream
, Dr. Know
, The Exploited
, Charged GBH
, Hüsker Dü
, Minutemen
, D.R.I.
and Mercyful Fate
, but they never played outside the Pacific Northwest.
Members of Final Warning would go on to play in various other Pacific Northwest bands, including: Napalm Beach
, Poison Idea
, The Obituaries
, Big House, Gruntruck
, Zipgun
, Kill Sybil and the Seattle based Nightcaps
.
In June, 2007, Southern Lord records released a 16 song compact disc that featured all the band’s studio material and 11 songs recorded live in 1985 at the Starry Night in Portland, Oregon (where Final Warning opened for Danish black metal
band Mercyful Fate
at their first U.S. concert).
, Dead Kennedys
and Circle Jerks
) and the second wave of English punk (Discharge
, Charged GBH
, Disorder and The Exploited
). What set Final Warning apart from other hardcore bands of the period was the merging of heavy metal
into their sound (bands like Metallica
, Motörhead, Venom
and early Mötley Crüe
.) Final Warning would combine these influences to become one of the early bands to break down the wall between punk
and metal
.
The most common lyrical focus of Final Warning's music was their stand against violence and war. Final Warning picked up on many of the anti-war themes that the U.K. band Discharge
used and expanded them to include their own take on the conformity, complacency and militarism in the United States during the Reagan
era.
). The first show was in Seattle, Washington on September 6, 2008 at the Funhouse, followed by a show in Portland, Oregon at Satyricon, on September 20, 2008.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
-based hardcore punk
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 active from 1982 to 1986.
History
The band first formed in 1982 as Broken Trust by childhood friends, guitarist Jeff "Simon" Simoncini, drummer Dan CunneenDan Cunneen
Dan Cunneen is a drummer, lyricist, songwriter, disc jockey and graphic designer originally from Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.. Cunneen is best known for his drum work with the 1980s Portland, Oregon band Final Warning and the 1990s Seattle, Washington based bands Zipgun and Nightcaps...
and vocalist Tim Paul. Between 1982 and 1983, the original line-up was rounded out by respective past and future Poison Idea
Poison Idea
Poison Idea was an American hardcore punk band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980. The band originally dissolved in 1993, but has been playing intermittently since 1998.-Formation, 1980's and 90's:...
members Glenn Estes and Charlie Nims (aka Myrtle Tickner) on bass.
In early 1983 (after changing their name to Final Warning), Tim Paul switched to bass and Jeff Paul (no relation) joined the group on vocals. This would become the "classic" Final Warning line-up that would remain unchanged until Final Warning disbanded in 1986 (except for a brief period at the end of the band's career when Poison Idea
Poison Idea
Poison Idea was an American hardcore punk band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980. The band originally dissolved in 1993, but has been playing intermittently since 1998.-Formation, 1980's and 90's:...
drummer Steve "Thee Slayer Hippie" Hanford played several shows with F.W. on second guitar).
Final Warning released one self-titled 7” E.P. on Poison Idea
Poison Idea
Poison Idea was an American hardcore punk band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980. The band originally dissolved in 1993, but has been playing intermittently since 1998.-Formation, 1980's and 90's:...
guitarist Tom “Pig Champion” Robert's label, Fatal Erection Records in 1984. The following year Final Warning had a song ("I Quit") on the Drinking is Great Portland punk compilation E.P. (also released by Fatal Erection).
Final Warning would share the bill with many legendary bands during their career. Among them: Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
, Scream
Scream (band)
Scream is a hardcore punk band from Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia active from 1981 to 1990. As of 2009, the band has reunited to play several shows.-Biography:...
, Dr. Know
Dr. Know (band)
Dr. Know is a punk band which began as a Nardcore band and now has roots in Los Angeles, CA.They are one of the founding figures of the "Nardcore" punk movement from Oxnard, CA. The band was started by Kyle Toucher, Ismael Hernandez, and Robin Cartwright in early 1981, and after auditioning a few...
, The Exploited
The Exploited
The Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
, Charged GBH
Charged GBH
Charged GBH are an English Street punk band, formed in 1978 by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin "Jock" Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy and Drummer Andy " Wilf" Williams. GBH were early pioneers of English street punk, often nicknamed "UK82", along with Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited...
, Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
, Minutemen
Minutemen (band)
Minutemen were an American hardcore punk band formed in San Pedro, California in 1980. Composed of guitarist D. Boon, bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley, Minutemen recorded four albums and eight EPs before Boon's death in an automobile accident in December 1985...
, D.R.I.
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles is a thrash metal/crossover thrash band from the United States that formed in Houston, in 1982. The band currently comprises founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Rob Rampy and bassist Harald Oimoen.D.R.I...
and Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
, but they never played outside the Pacific Northwest.
Members of Final Warning would go on to play in various other Pacific Northwest bands, including: Napalm Beach
Napalm Beach
Napalm Beach is an American punk rock band from Portland, Oregon. One of the longest-running punk bands in the U.S., they are credited by some as being early innovators of the grunge sound. Napalm Beach shared the stage with bands such as X, Public Image Ltd., Joan Jett, Johnny Thunders, Gun Club,...
, Poison Idea
Poison Idea
Poison Idea was an American hardcore punk band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980. The band originally dissolved in 1993, but has been playing intermittently since 1998.-Formation, 1980's and 90's:...
, The Obituaries
The Obituaries
The Obituaries were one of the most popular and groundbreakingbands in the Northwest USA from 1986-1990. Fronted by singer/wordsmith Monica Nelson who was known for her powerful stage presence and stunning vocals. She was an influence to many other later female rockers with roots in the area, and...
, Big House, Gruntruck
Gruntruck
Gruntruck was a grunge band formed in 1989 in Seattle, Washington by Ben McMillan and Scott McCullum, both previously from Skin Yard. Tommy Niemeyer from The Accüsed and Tim Paul, previously of Napalm Beach and Final Warning, rounded out the initial, classic line-up...
, Zipgun
Zipgun
Zipgun was a punk rock band from Seattle Washington active from 1991 to 1994.The original founding members were: guitarist Neil Rogers , singer Robb Clarke , bassist Mark Wooten and drummer Dan Cunneen .- History :Zipgun was formed and led by Neil Rogers, who had...
, Kill Sybil and the Seattle based Nightcaps
Nightcaps (band)
Nightcaps were an American Lounge music band from Seattle, Washington active from 1994 until 2002.Nightcaps were an integral part if the mid 1990s Lounge music resurgence that included bands such as Combustible Edison,...
.
In June, 2007, Southern Lord records released a 16 song compact disc that featured all the band’s studio material and 11 songs recorded live in 1985 at the Starry Night in Portland, Oregon (where Final Warning opened for Danish black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
at their first U.S. concert).
Influences
Final Warning was inspired by early 1980s U.S. West Coast hardcore (Germs, Black FlagBlack Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
and Circle Jerks
Circle Jerks
The Circle Jerks are an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1980 in Los Angeles, California. It was formed by Black Flag's original singer, Keith Morris, and future Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson. They were among the preeminent hardcore punk bands of the L.A. scene in the late 1970s.The band...
) and the second wave of English punk (Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
, Charged GBH
Charged GBH
Charged GBH are an English Street punk band, formed in 1978 by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin "Jock" Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy and Drummer Andy " Wilf" Williams. GBH were early pioneers of English street punk, often nicknamed "UK82", along with Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited...
, Disorder and The Exploited
The Exploited
The Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
). What set Final Warning apart from other hardcore bands of the period was the merging of heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
into their sound (bands like Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Motörhead, Venom
Venom
Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...
and early Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
.) Final Warning would combine these influences to become one of the early bands to break down the wall between punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
.
The most common lyrical focus of Final Warning's music was their stand against violence and war. Final Warning picked up on many of the anti-war themes that the U.K. band Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
used and expanded them to include their own take on the conformity, complacency and militarism in the United States during the Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
era.
Reformation
In September 2008, Final Warning played two shows with the "classic" line-up (Jeff Paul, Simon, Tim Paul and Dan CunneenDan Cunneen
Dan Cunneen is a drummer, lyricist, songwriter, disc jockey and graphic designer originally from Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.. Cunneen is best known for his drum work with the 1980s Portland, Oregon band Final Warning and the 1990s Seattle, Washington based bands Zipgun and Nightcaps...
). The first show was in Seattle, Washington on September 6, 2008 at the Funhouse, followed by a show in Portland, Oregon at Satyricon, on September 20, 2008.
Discography
- 1983 Final Warning demo (self released)
- 1984 Final Warning 7” EP (Fatal Erection)
- 1985 Track on Drinking Is Great 7” EP (“I Quit”) (Fatal Erection)
- 2007 PDX CD (Southern Lord)
- 2008 Final Warning 7" EP (reissue) (Black Water)
External links
- Article on the Final Warning reunion in The Portland Mercury
- Feature on the Final Warning reunion in Willamette Week
- Official website
- http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/mrrissue27-4FinalWarningInterview.pdf 1984 Maximum Rock 'n Roll interview with PusheadPusheadPushead is an artist, record label owner, and writer within the hardcore punk and heavy metal field. He has created artwork for many bands, artists, and athletes including Metallica, the The Misfits, Dr. Dre, Travis Barker, and Craig Johnson. He has designed many record covers, T-shirts,...
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