The Nerve Agents
Encyclopedia
The Nerve Agents were an American hardcore punk
band formed by Andy Outbreak
and Eric Ozenne (ex-Redemption 87
).
Their angry brand of music juxtaposed yelled, sometimes ranting vocals with distorted and often chorus
laden chords, complex bass lines and fast-paced percussion. Their darkened style is reminiscent of Black Flag & The Damned.
The Nerve Agents were noted for their frenzied, chaotic, often violent live performances. It was not unusual for a fan or band member to require medical attention. Often on such occasions Eric Ozenne would halt performances, sometimes escorting the injured fan to the hospital. Other theatrical elements, such as costumes and the trademark eyeliner, were commonplace. On rare occasions a guest performer known only as the 'White Owl
', (taking its name from the theme of the first full length), would run across the stage in a white mummy-like robe.
There are many rumors surrounding the band's demise. Andy Outbreak
's involvement in The Distillers
became a source of scheduling tension, as was the pending birth of Eric Ozenne's daughter. The band played their last two shows on Sunday, December 30, at the Pound in San Francisco, sharing the bill with Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards
.
Members of The Nerve Agents are now/or used to be in the bands Said Radio, Darker My Love
, The Fall, The Frisk
, Hudson Criminal, Model American, Fury 66
, The Distillers
, Redemption 87
, Pitch Black, Unit Pride, Shadowboxer, and FIVE.
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 formed by Andy Outbreak
Andy Granelli
Andy Granelli is an American drummer. Initially drumming for a band known as Model American in 1997 on their self titled album. The same album later surfaced again in 2002 under the moniker MAPS, which stood for Model American Playing Secretly having been forced to change the name by a court of law...
and Eric Ozenne (ex-Redemption 87
Redemption 87
Redemption 87 was a short-lived East Bay hardcore punk band containing ex-members of Unit Pride, Skankin' Pickle, and Token Entry, and contained future members of AFI and the Nerve Agents....
).
Their angry brand of music juxtaposed yelled, sometimes ranting vocals with distorted and often chorus
Chorus effect
In music, a chorus effect occurs when individual sounds with roughly the same timbre and nearly the same pitch converge and are perceived as one...
laden chords, complex bass lines and fast-paced percussion. Their darkened style is reminiscent of Black Flag & The Damned.
The Nerve Agents were noted for their frenzied, chaotic, often violent live performances. It was not unusual for a fan or band member to require medical attention. Often on such occasions Eric Ozenne would halt performances, sometimes escorting the injured fan to the hospital. Other theatrical elements, such as costumes and the trademark eyeliner, were commonplace. On rare occasions a guest performer known only as the 'White Owl
White Owl
White Owls are American-made, machine produced cigars. White Owl cigars are inexpensive, costing around an average of $1.50. The logo consists of a Snowy owl perched on a cigar.-History:...
', (taking its name from the theme of the first full length), would run across the stage in a white mummy-like robe.
There are many rumors surrounding the band's demise. Andy Outbreak
Andy Granelli
Andy Granelli is an American drummer. Initially drumming for a band known as Model American in 1997 on their self titled album. The same album later surfaced again in 2002 under the moniker MAPS, which stood for Model American Playing Secretly having been forced to change the name by a court of law...
's involvement in The Distillers
The Distillers
The Distillers were an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1998. They released their first two albums on Hellcat Records/Epitaph Records before moving to Sire, part of the Warner Music Group. The Distillers were originally formed by Australian-born Brody Armstrong , a woman with a...
became a source of scheduling tension, as was the pending birth of Eric Ozenne's daughter. The band played their last two shows on Sunday, December 30, at the Pound in San Francisco, sharing the bill with Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards
Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards
Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards were an American street punk band formed to release the songs that Lars had written. Their songs include subject matter consisting of drinking, fighting, drugs, sex, prostitutes, gangs, and street life...
.
Members of The Nerve Agents are now/or used to be in the bands Said Radio, Darker My Love
Darker My Love
Darker My Love is an indie psychedelic rock band based in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of 5 members. Tim Presley, a former member of the band The Nerve Agents and also a visual artist responsible for much of the band's imagery, formed the band in 2004 and contributes vocals and guitar...
, The Fall, The Frisk
The Frisk
The Frisk was a punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed by Jesse Luscious, Mike Sexxx and Zach Attack, all former members of The Criminals, along with AFI member Hunter Burgan, following The Criminals 2000 breakup...
, Hudson Criminal, Model American, Fury 66
Fury 66
Fury 66 was an American melodic punk rock/hardcore band from Santa Cruz, California that existed from 1993 to 1999. They released 3 full-length records, 3 seven inches, and appeared on multiple compilation CDs...
, The Distillers
The Distillers
The Distillers were an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1998. They released their first two albums on Hellcat Records/Epitaph Records before moving to Sire, part of the Warner Music Group. The Distillers were originally formed by Australian-born Brody Armstrong , a woman with a...
, Redemption 87
Redemption 87
Redemption 87 was a short-lived East Bay hardcore punk band containing ex-members of Unit Pride, Skankin' Pickle, and Token Entry, and contained future members of AFI and the Nerve Agents....
, Pitch Black, Unit Pride, Shadowboxer, and FIVE.
Line-up
- Sheric D. (Eric Ozenne)- vocals (currently lead vocals for Said Radio)
- Timmy Stardust (Tim Presley) - guitar (currently lead vocals and guitar for Darker My LoveDarker My LoveDarker My Love is an indie psychedelic rock band based in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of 5 members. Tim Presley, a former member of the band The Nerve Agents and also a visual artist responsible for much of the band's imagery, formed the band in 2004 and contributes vocals and guitar...
) - Zac "The Butcher" Hunter - guitar (from 2000–2002) (currently guitar for Hudson Criminal)
- Dante Sigona - bass, piano (currently guitar for Said Radio)
- Andy Outbreak (Andy GranelliAndy GranelliAndy Granelli is an American drummer. Initially drumming for a band known as Model American in 1997 on their self titled album. The same album later surfaced again in 2002 under the moniker MAPS, which stood for Model American Playing Secretly having been forced to change the name by a court of law...
)- drums - Kevin Cross - guitar & bass (from 1998–2000))(currently guitar for Pitch BlackPitch BlackPitch Black is a 2000 science fiction thriller film directed by David Twohy and starring Vin Diesel. The film costars Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser and Keith David....
)
Discography
- The Nerve Agents (EP)The Nerve Agents (EP)The Nerve Agents EP is the self-titled debut release from Californian hardcore punk band, The Nerve Agents. It was released in November, 1998 on Revelation Records....
(1998, eponymous 8-song EP) Revelation RecordsRevelation RecordsRevelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,... - The Nerve Agents/Kill Your Idols split (2000, 3 songs by each band) Mankind Records
- The Way It Should Be... compilation (2000, featured song "Bitter Seed") Sessions Records
- Days Of The White OwlDays Of The White OwlDays of the White Owl is the first full-length album from Californian hardcore punk band, The Nerve Agents. It was released in July, 2000 on Revelation Records and it follows their self-titled EP from 1998.- Overview :...
(2000, 16-song LP) Revelation RecordsRevelation RecordsRevelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,... - The Butterfly CollectionThe Butterfly CollectionThe Butterfly Collection is the second full-length – and last – album from Californian hardcore punk band, The Nerve Agents.It was released by Hellcat Records and distributed by Epitaph Records in July, 2001.- Overview :...
(2001, 14-songs, final LP) Hellcat RecordsHellcat RecordsHellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
DVD
- Give 'Em The BootGive 'Em the BootGive 'Em the Boot is a series of compilation albums released by Hellcat Records. The first release came out July 29, 1997, and there has been a new release every other year, except for the gap between the second and third releases, which had three years in between...
features a live performance of the song EvilEvilEvil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
, by the Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Death Rock band- 45 Grave45 Grave45 Grave are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as...
.
Future Releases
Mankind Records will release a rare/unreleased songs album in the near future, as well as a DVD with live footage of the band.See also
- Redemption 87Redemption 87Redemption 87 was a short-lived East Bay hardcore punk band containing ex-members of Unit Pride, Skankin' Pickle, and Token Entry, and contained future members of AFI and the Nerve Agents....
– Eric Ozenne's previous band - All Guns PoolsideAll Guns PoolsideAll Guns Poolside is an album by the now defunct hardcore punk band, Redemption 87.It was released in 1998 and subsequently re-released in 2002 by Blackout Records – with added bonus tracks which were the bands original demo from 1995....
– Redemption 87Redemption 87Redemption 87 was a short-lived East Bay hardcore punk band containing ex-members of Unit Pride, Skankin' Pickle, and Token Entry, and contained future members of AFI and the Nerve Agents....
album page