Union 13
Encyclopedia
Union 13 is a hardcore punk
band from Boyle Heights, California, USA who have, to date, released four full length albums – three on Epitaph Records
and one on Disaster Records.
Their music is fast and furious – incorporating elements of their Mexican-Central-American upbringing into the music as well as occasionally singing the odd song on all their albums in Spanish.
, owner of the Epitaph Records
label, turned up at one of their performances and persuaded them to record a demo at his Westbeach Recorders
studio in Hollywood.
Rancid
duo, Tim Armstrong
and Lars Frederiksen
, were suitably impressed with the demo and were keen to produce the band's first album. They duly entered the studio and officially signed to Epitaph Records
. http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/82
, and was by Epitaph Records
released in July, 1997.
At that time, the band consisted of Edward Escoto on vocals, José Mercado and Ben Sandoval on guitars, Jerry Navarro on bass, and Louie Villareal on drums.
This line-up remained the same when they entered the G-Son studio in June 1998 and recorded the album Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?
. This was released in October, 1998.
By the time the band came to record their third album, Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening
, the line-up had been cut in half. Sandoval and Navarro left the band and it was down to José Mercado to do the job of two guitarists and bass player. They returned to the Westbeach Recorders
studio with Donnell Cameron in the producer's chair. The album was released in September, 2000.
The band immediately set about writing new material after touring, but another problem struck. This time Edward Escoto exited the band, effectively leaving the band with only two founding members – Mercado and Villareal.
, was released on Disaster Records. Mercado and Villareal shared vocal duties, and they were joined by Rudy Ramos on bass.
They toured extensively with the likes of The Bouncing Souls
, U.S. Bombs
, H2O
, Voodoo Glow Skulls
, Subhumans
, Dead Kennedys
, Pennywise
, Maldita Vecindad
, 2 Minutos
and NOFX
.
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 Boyle Heights, California, USA who have, to date, released four full length albums – three on Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
and one on Disaster Records.
Their music is fast and furious – incorporating elements of their Mexican-Central-American upbringing into the music as well as occasionally singing the odd song on all their albums in Spanish.
Pre-recording history
The band had made a name for themselves by playing backyard parties in their East Los Angeles locality until one day, Brett GurewitzBrett Gurewitz
Brett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
, owner of the Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
label, turned up at one of their performances and persuaded them to record a demo at his Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders is a recording studio in Hollywood, California famous for recording punk rock groups, such as Bad Religion, NOFX, Rancid, The Offspring and Pennywise. It was established in 1985 by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz and re-located to Hollywood, California in February 1987 and...
studio in Hollywood.
Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
duo, Tim Armstrong
Tim Armstrong
Timothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
and Lars Frederiksen
Lars Frederiksen
Lars Erik Frederiksen is an American guitarist and vocalist, most notably for the punk rock band Rancid, and as the frontman of Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards and The Old Firm Casuals. He was also briefly a member of the UK Subs in 1991...
, were suitably impressed with the demo and were keen to produce the band's first album. They duly entered the studio and officially signed to Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
. http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/82
The Epitaph Years
The first album was entitled East Los Presents...East Los Presents...
East Los Presents... is the first album from East Los Angeles, California hardcore punk band, Union 13.It was released in July, 1997 on Epitaph Records. Legend has it that Brett Gurewitz heard about the band playing to large numbers of people in L.A...
, and was by Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
released in July, 1997.
At that time, the band consisted of Edward Escoto on vocals, José Mercado and Ben Sandoval on guitars, Jerry Navarro on bass, and Louie Villareal on drums.
This line-up remained the same when they entered the G-Son studio in June 1998 and recorded the album Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?
Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?
Why Are We Destroying Ourselves? is the second album from East Los Angeles, California band, Union 13.It was released in October, 1998 on Epitaph Records, and follows their debut on the same label in 1997, East Los Presents......
. This was released in October, 1998.
By the time the band came to record their third album, Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening
Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening
Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening is the third album from East Los Angeles, California hardcore punk band, Union 13.It was released in September, 2000 on Epitaph Records, and follows 1998's Why Are We Destroying Ourselves? – also released on Epitaph Records.The band had lost two members in the...
, the line-up had been cut in half. Sandoval and Navarro left the band and it was down to José Mercado to do the job of two guitarists and bass player. They returned to the Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders is a recording studio in Hollywood, California famous for recording punk rock groups, such as Bad Religion, NOFX, Rancid, The Offspring and Pennywise. It was established in 1985 by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz and re-located to Hollywood, California in February 1987 and...
studio with Donnell Cameron in the producer's chair. The album was released in September, 2000.
The band immediately set about writing new material after touring, but another problem struck. This time Edward Escoto exited the band, effectively leaving the band with only two founding members – Mercado and Villareal.
Disaster Records
Finally, in 2003, their next album, Symptoms of HumanitySymptoms of Humanity
Symptoms of Humanity is the fourth album from East Los Angeles, California hardcore punk band, Union 13.It was released in November 2003 on Disaster Records and follows the 2000 album, Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening....
, was released on Disaster Records. Mercado and Villareal shared vocal duties, and they were joined by Rudy Ramos on bass.
They toured extensively with the likes of The Bouncing Souls
The Bouncing Souls
The Bouncing Souls are a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 1987. By the time of their acknowledgment by the national punk rock scene, they had reignited a "pogo" element to New Jersey punk rock by playing fast light-hearted songs, a model followed by various other local...
, U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs are an American punk rock band, formed in 1993 in Orange County, CA. U.S. Bombs consist of vocalist Duane Peters, guitarists Kerry Martinez and Jonny "Two Bags" Wickersham, bass guitarist Wade Walston and drummer Chip Hanna. Vocalist Duane Peters is a legendary professional...
, H2O
H2O
H2O is the chemical formula for water and is also used as an abbreviation for the word "water". H2O or H2O It may also refer to:* H2O , a punk band**H2O , their self-titled debut album...
, Voodoo Glow Skulls
Voodoo Glow Skulls
Voodoo Glow Skulls are an American ska punk band formed in 1988 in Riverside, California by brothers Frank, Eddie and Jorge Casillas and their longtime friend Jerry O'Neill...
, Subhumans
Subhumans
Subhumans may refer to:* Subhumans , featuring singer Dick Lucas*Subhumans , featuring singer Wimpy Roy and bass player Gerry Hannah...
, 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....
, Pennywise
Pennywise (band)
Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from the Stephen King novel of the same title....
, Maldita Vecindad
Maldita Vecindad
La Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio are a band formed in Mexico City in 1985. They are pioneers in rock en Español and are one of the most influential rock bands in Latin America....
, 2 Minutos
2 Minutos
2 Minutos or Dos Minutos are a punk rock band from Argentina. They are one of the most important bands of the genre to emerge in argentine rock in the 1990s, highly influential across the Spanish-speaking world, and also popular in the punk scene of the United States.-Biography:The band can trace...
and NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
.
Discography
- East Los Presents...East Los Presents...East Los Presents... is the first album from East Los Angeles, California hardcore punk band, Union 13.It was released in July, 1997 on Epitaph Records. Legend has it that Brett Gurewitz heard about the band playing to large numbers of people in L.A...
(July, 1997) Epitaph RecordsEpitaph RecordsEpitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record... - Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?Why Are We Destroying Ourselves? is the second album from East Los Angeles, California band, Union 13.It was released in October, 1998 on Epitaph Records, and follows their debut on the same label in 1997, East Los Presents......
(October, 1998) Epitaph RecordsEpitaph RecordsEpitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record... - Youth, Betrayal and the AwakeningYouth, Betrayal and the AwakeningYouth, Betrayal and the Awakening is the third album from East Los Angeles, California hardcore punk band, Union 13.It was released in September, 2000 on Epitaph Records, and follows 1998's Why Are We Destroying Ourselves? – also released on Epitaph Records.The band had lost two members in the...
(September, 2000) Epitaph RecordsEpitaph RecordsEpitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record... - Symptoms of HumanitySymptoms of HumanitySymptoms of Humanity is the fourth album from East Los Angeles, California hardcore punk band, Union 13.It was released in November 2003 on Disaster Records and follows the 2000 album, Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening....
(November, 2003) Disaster Records