Dischord Records: A Profile

Yes, it's best known as the record label of Fugazi and Minor Threat, but Dischord has also played host to a whole stable of related bands, some obscure, some well-known. In fact, looking back over the Dischord back catalogue provides a sort of chronology of the Washington DC post-hardcore scene. Along with labels such as Touch & Go, Art Monk Construction and Crank!, Dischord continues to define post-hardcore noise.

Background
Dischord Records was formed in 1979 by two members of the Teen Idles, Ian Mackaye (bass) and Jeff Nelson (drums), originally as a one-off to release their own EP. They then released singles by SOA, Minor Threat (their new band) and Government Issue, and began to gain a reputation as the cutting-edge DC hardcore label. Mackaye and Nelson continue to run the label to this day, and although the musical image of Dischord has changed somewhat, their reputation still precedes them. Their work ethic has always been independence, and they have kept to it over 20 years.

Some Dischord bands of repute
BLUETIP: This critically acclaimed band was formed by Jason Farrell (who designs many Dischord sleeves) and Dave Stern, formerly of Swiz/Sweetbelly Freakdown. Bluetip's music is fast, soulful and rhythmic, with a funky edge to it. In a word, post-hardcore! MJR's pick: Dischord No. 101 (1996)
THE CROWNHATE RUIN: Formed from the ashes of Hoover in 1994, split two years later. Musically similar to Hoover but more stripped-down, and featuring the same two vocalists, they produced bleak, apocalyptic soundscapes. MJR's pick: Until The Eagle Grins (1996)
DAG NASTY: '80s punk band who have had three different vocalists, and featured Minor Threat's Brian Baker on guitar and Descendents' Doug Carrion on bass. Recorded two albums for Dischord and went on to other things. MJR's pick: Wig Out At Denko's (1987)
THE DUSTERS: Full name: The Capitol City Dusters. Formed by members of Severin (Alec Bourgeois & Mark Haggerty), the Dusters play punk-lite, with a happy-go-lucky sort of feeling to it. Have released one full-length to date & a couple of singles. MJR's pick: Simplicity (1998)
EMBRACE: Ian Mackaye's third band on Dischord were one of the first 'emo-core' bands of the '80s, cutting down on the savage ranting of Minor Threat, but only lasted two years, and released one LP.
FUGAZI: Formed in 1987 from the ashes of Rites Of Spring/Happy Go Licky (Guy Picciotto & Brendan Canty) and Embrace (Ian Mackaye) + bassist Joe Lally. Have made six albums covering diverse styles, rarely sticking to traditional punk. By far the longest-serving and most popular Dischord band, Fugazi continue to be a defining force. MJR's pick: End Hits (1998)
HAPPY GO LICKY:A second incarnation of Rites of Spring, this quartet released one record before its members went their separate ways.
HOOVER: Existed for three years in the early '90s, and featured dubby and inventive basslines, the most abrasive vocals you'll hear from a Dischord band (and that's quite a title), and alternately heavy and light parts. One of my favourite Dischord bands. MJR's pick: The Lurid Traversal Of Route 7 (1993)
JAWBOX: Melodic hardcore merchants who lasted eight years before splitting in 1997. Featured Government Issue bassist J. Robbins on vocals & guitar, who, along with guitarist W.C. Barbot, went on to form Burning Airlines. Jawbox released two albums on Dischord before moving to Atlantic. Often hailed as '90s emo-core champions, and rightly so. MJR's pick: For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1994 on Atlantic)
KEROSENE 454: Post-hardcore kings K454 released a couple of LPs on Slowdime in conjunction with Dischord. Often compared to Jawbox, Drive Like Jehu and Fugazi, they had their own distinct, angry sound, but (sadly) split after the release of their 'At Zero' LP. MJR's pick: At Zero (1998)
LUNGFISH: Formed in 1988 by bearded Dan Higgs, Lungfish have released several albums of chiming guitar-work and poetic lyrics. Never straying into ultra-aggressive territory, they continue to be a reliable Dischord band. MJR's pick: Sound In Time (1996)
MINOR THREAT: Often namechecked by today's more straight-ahead punk bands, Minor Threat started the straight-edge movement, Ian Mackaye's vocal rants providing a script for a new generation (I think). And to think I wasn't even born when they formed in 1980...MJR's pick: Complete Discography (1989)
RITES OF SPRING: Perhaps the most intense Dischord band of the mid-'80s, releasing a single LP in 1985. ROS's 'selling' points were Guy Picciotto's throat-scraping vocal outpourings and the quasi-melodic guitar lines of Eddie Janney. Are often credited with inventing 'emo-core' (whatever that is). MJR's pick: Rites Of Spring (1985)
SCREAM: One of the original breed of DC hardcore bands, Scream are perhaps most famous for their one-time drummer Dave Grohl, who went on to join Nirvana and then form Foo Fighters. They lasted throughout the '80s, finally splitting in 1993, leaving a clutch of albums. Pete Stahl went on to form Wool and then Earthlings?; Franz Stahl later joined Foo Fighters.
SHUDDER TO THINK: Now more of a poppy band on Epic Records, Shudder To Think's roots lie in the DC scene. They released a couple of albums on Dischord records at the turn of the decade. MJR's pick: Ten-Spot (1990)
SOUL SIDE: Best-known for providing three-quarters of Girls Against Boys. Produced two albums of inventive punk, led by dreadlocked Bobby Sullivan, who went on to record with Sevens. MJR's pick: Hot Bodi-Gram (1989)

And if you like Dischord bands, perhaps you should check out records by the following:

Bob Tilton (Subjugation)
Boilermaker (Wrenched)
Boy's Life (Crank!)
Braid (Polyvinyl)
Cable (Infectious)
The Farewell Bend (Slowdime)
June Of 44 (Quarterstick)
Most Secret Method (Slowdime)
Shellac (Touch & Go)
Slint (Touch & Go)
The Van Pelt (Gern Blandsten)