Jonathan Anastas
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Anastas is a Los Angeles-based marketing & advertising executive, and a musician who cofounded a number of influential Boston hardcore
punk bands in the 1980s.
. He co-formed and played bass in the seminal Boston hardcore
bands DYS
and Slapshot
, writing and playing on the DYS records Brotherhood and DYS as well as Slapshot's debut record Back on the Map (all re-issued by Taang! Records
in various formats). DYS, with Anastas, reformed for the first time in over 20 years, headlining the "xxx All Ages xxx" Reunion festival and movie shoot in front of over 1,000 fans on August 29, 2010.
Anastas and his bands helped build and promote the straight edge
movement, made famous by Minor Threat
as a call for youth to live a clean, aware life, rejecting drugs, alcohol and smoking. DYS is also known for their early role in the crossover
movement where hardcore punk bands attempted a more commercial hard rock sound and looked toward recording deals within the mainstream major label system, recording possibly the first "hardcore power ballad" on their second, metal-influenced album.
Anastas also wrote and holds publishing rights to the song "Slam" on Modern Method Record's This Is Boston, Not L.A.
collection. He also played bass on the song. The track was subsequently used to score MTV
's Santa Claus, the man, the myth, the slam dancer holiday promo, which ran for over 15 years.
Anastas' contributions to hardcore punk were documented in the books American Hardcore: A Tribal History
by Steve Blush, All Ages, Reflections on Straight Edge by Beth Lahickey, and Radio Silence by Nathan Nedorostek and Anthony Pappalardo. Anastas is also featured in the film adaptation of American Hardcore (film)
, released by Sony Pictures in 2006 and was interviewed for the DVD retrospective Chip on My Shoulder: The History of Slapshot directed by acclaimed music video director Ian McFarland. The Slapshot movie is being released after a long distribution delay in Spring 2011 after being accepted into the 2009 Boston Film Festival where it was the first screening to sell out. Additionally, Anastas appears in Director Drew Stone and Executive Producer Duane Lucia's movie xxx All Ages xxx, a film set for 2011 release focusing on Boston's contribution to the hardcore genre.
, Omnicom's Think New Ideas and Tribal DDB holding Red Urban, where he was president. Additionally, Jonathan ran marketing at Atari
, the legendary video game publisher. He is now an executive at Activision. Anastas's work in the field has been recognized by the Silicon Alley Reporter
, The Industry Standard
, Adweek
and Ad Age, among others. He has also spoken at dozens of conferences such as OMMA Social and Mobile Summits (2009/2010/2011), the Mobile upfronts (2010), CTIA, CMJ, Digital Hollywood (2006, 2010), iMedia and Association of National Advertiser's (the ANA) events and panels (2010).
Anastas also restored several mid-century architectural homes in the Los Angeles area, included Richard Neutra
's 1941 Bonnet House, which has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Men's Vogue, California Home and Design, Remodel magazine, and the coffee table book
High Style.
Boston hardcore
Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. (Not to be confused with Boston metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore; itself an...
punk bands in the 1980s.
Punk rock musician
From his teen years (recording for the first time at age 15), Anastas was involved in the American musical movement known as 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...
. He co-formed and played bass in the seminal Boston hardcore
Boston hardcore
Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. (Not to be confused with Boston metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore; itself an...
bands DYS
DYS (band)
DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
and Slapshot
Slapshot (band)
-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
, writing and playing on the DYS records Brotherhood and DYS as well as Slapshot's debut record Back on the Map (all re-issued by Taang! Records
Taang! Records
Taang! Records is an American independent record label founded by Curtis Casella in Boston, Massachusetts which is currently based in San Diego...
in various formats). DYS, with Anastas, reformed for the first time in over 20 years, headlining the "xxx All Ages xxx" Reunion festival and movie shoot in front of over 1,000 fans on August 29, 2010.
Anastas and his bands helped build and promote the straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
movement, made famous by Minor Threat
Minor Threat
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. The band was relatively short-lived, but had a strong influence on the hardcore punk music scene, both stylistically and in establishing a "do it yourself" ethic for music distribution and...
as a call for youth to live a clean, aware life, rejecting drugs, alcohol and smoking. DYS is also known for their early role in the crossover
Crossover
-Fiction and media:* Fictional crossover, a storyline combining characters or settings from separate fictional properties** Fictional crossovers in video games* Crossover , a 2002 documentary by Justin Lin...
movement where hardcore punk bands attempted a more commercial hard rock sound and looked toward recording deals within the mainstream major label system, recording possibly the first "hardcore power ballad" on their second, metal-influenced album.
Anastas also wrote and holds publishing rights to the song "Slam" on Modern Method Record's This Is Boston, Not L.A.
This Is Boston, Not L.A.
This Is Boston, Not L.A.is a hardcore punk compilation album released in 1982. It is considered the definitive album from the Boston hardcore scene, as several of the bands that were prominent in that scene appear on the album...
collection. He also played bass on the song. The track was subsequently used to score MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Santa Claus, the man, the myth, the slam dancer holiday promo, which ran for over 15 years.
Anastas' contributions to hardcore punk were documented in the books American Hardcore: A Tribal History
American Hardcore: A Tribal History
American Hardcore: A Tribal History is a book by Steven Blush detailing the history of the early hardcore punk music scene.The book was the basis of the documentary American Hardcore directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush....
by Steve Blush, All Ages, Reflections on Straight Edge by Beth Lahickey, and Radio Silence by Nathan Nedorostek and Anthony Pappalardo. Anastas is also featured in the film adaptation of American Hardcore (film)
American Hardcore (film)
American Hardcore is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. It is based on the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis...
, released by Sony Pictures in 2006 and was interviewed for the DVD retrospective Chip on My Shoulder: The History of Slapshot directed by acclaimed music video director Ian McFarland. The Slapshot movie is being released after a long distribution delay in Spring 2011 after being accepted into the 2009 Boston Film Festival where it was the first screening to sell out. Additionally, Anastas appears in Director Drew Stone and Executive Producer Duane Lucia's movie xxx All Ages xxx, a film set for 2011 release focusing on Boston's contribution to the hardcore genre.
Discography
- 1982 - Decadence, "Slam" on the This Is Boston, Not L.A.This Is Boston, Not L.A.This Is Boston, Not L.A.is a hardcore punk compilation album released in 1982. It is considered the definitive album from the Boston hardcore scene, as several of the bands that were prominent in that scene appear on the album...
compilation LP (bass) - 1983 - DYS, Brotherhood (bass, back-up vocals)
- 1985 - DYS, DYS (bass)
- 1986 - Slapshot, Back on the Map (bass, back-up vocals)
- 1993 - DYS Fire and Ice - CD reissue of previous two albums (bass, back-up vocals)
- 1993 - DYS, "Wolfpack" on the Faster and Louder, Volume Two compilation
- 2005 - DYS "Wolfpack" - "Brotherhood," re-released with the band's original Wolfpack radio demo
- 2011 - DYS "More than Fashion: LIVE from the Gallery EastGallery EastGallery East is an art and performance network based in Boston, Massachusetts notable for being one of the first venues to host hardcore punk rock shows for an all ages audience. Founded in 1979 by Duane Lucia and Al Ford, it closed its location at 24 East St...
Reunion" - live tracks from the band's initial reunion show, featuring songs from both of their studio albums, Bridge 9 Records - 2011 - DYS "Wild Card" - Single on Bridge 9 Records
Advertising executive
Following his career in music, Anastas entered advertising and became an early leader and innovator in the field of digital marketing, holding executive positions at Mullen, Saatchi & SaatchiSaatchi & Saatchi
Saatchi & Saatchi is a global advertising agency network with 140 offices in 80 countries and over 6,500 staff. It was founded in London in 1970 but now headquartered in New York. The parent company of the agency group was known as Saatchi & Saatchi PLC from 1976 to 1994, was listed on the London...
, Omnicom's Think New Ideas and Tribal DDB holding Red Urban, where he was president. Additionally, Jonathan ran marketing at Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
, the legendary video game publisher. He is now an executive at Activision. Anastas's work in the field has been recognized by the Silicon Alley Reporter
Silicon Alley Reporter
Silicon Alley Reporter was an American trade publication focused on New York's Silicon Alley.Founded by Jason Calacanis in 1996, then was renamed the Venture Reporter in 2001 and was eventually sold to Dow Jones in 2003....
, The Industry Standard
The Industry Standard
The Industry Standard is a news web site dedicated to technology business news, part of InfoWorld, a news web site covering technology in general...
, Adweek
Adweek
Adweek is a weekly American advertising trade publication that was first published in 1978....
and Ad Age, among others. He has also spoken at dozens of conferences such as OMMA Social and Mobile Summits (2009/2010/2011), the Mobile upfronts (2010), CTIA, CMJ, Digital Hollywood (2006, 2010), iMedia and Association of National Advertiser's (the ANA) events and panels (2010).
Anastas also restored several mid-century architectural homes in the Los Angeles area, included Richard Neutra
Richard Neutra
Richard Joseph Neutra is considered one of modernism's most important architects.- Biography :Neutra was born in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Vienna, Austria Hungary, on April 8, 1892. He was born into both-Jewish wealthy family...
's 1941 Bonnet House, which has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Men's Vogue, California Home and Design, Remodel magazine, and the coffee table book
Coffee table book
A coffee table book is a hardcover book that is intended to sit on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests sit and are entertained, thus inspiring conversation or alleviating boredom. They tend to be oversized and of heavy construction, since there is no pressing need for...
High Style.