A Global Threat
Encyclopedia
A Global Threat was an American street punk
band, formed in Bangor, ME in 1997. They released four full-length LPs as well as many 7" EPs and have toured extensively throughout the United States.
in 1997, the band relocated to Boston
, Massachusetts
in 1998, where it was based until their breakup. The original band members were Bryan Lothian, Brett Threat, Westie, and Tubby Tim. In 1998, the band recorded and self-released their first EP, The Kids Will Revolt Against All Authority, on Crack Rock Records. Soon after, Mike Graves and Petrov Curtis joined the band (on drums and guitar respectively) and AGT began playing live shows in Boston
and New York. During this period, the band met Mark Civitarese (a member of Boston punk group The Unseen), who would become a major supporter of the band before later joining it himself. Mark re-released The Kids will revolt EP on his ADD Records label in late 1998. Subsequently, Mark became a member of AGT in 1999, when, during a weekend of gigs in New York, the band's van broke down and Mark offered them transportation on the condition that he be allowed to join the band. The group accepted and Mark took up dual vocal duties, with both he and founding member Bryan singing during live shows.
In 1999, they released the What the Fuck Will Change? EP as well as a split 7" EP with Broken. Both these releases saw the band progressing towards the more frantic and relentless streetpunk style for which they would later become well-known. What the Fuck Will Change? was later re-released as the band's first full length LP on Step-1 Music, including new material as well as re-recorded songs from The Kids EP. During this time Johnny joined the band on rhythm guitar and AGT embarked on a tour of the U.S. East Coast and South. Unfortunately, the band was involved in a three-car accident in Austin, Texas
, forcing them to cancel the remaining dates of the tour. 1999 also saw the release of the Who's to Blame? split 7" EP with now defunct Rochester, New York
band The End on Anarchist Records/ADD records.
Shortly thereafter, AGT secured a record deal with GMM records because Mark Noah had seen them play with in Chapel Hill,NC with Patriot. That winter, after a weekend of shows, original member Brett Threat was fired from the band and would subsequently move back to Maine and form the punk band USA Waste. The band then played a few shows with Johnny on bass, before he too was released from the band and went on to form USA Waste with Brett. AGT then recruited long-time friend and previous musical collaborator Gabe Crate
(a.k.a Gabe Asturd) to join the group on bass. Having now secured a more musically solid lineup they hit the studio to record their second full length "Until We Die". In November, Mark Civitarese, also known as Mark Unseen, played his last show with AGT, having decided that being in two bands was too taxing.
-based hardcore band The Statistics. However, The Statistics left the tour after only two shows, leaving AGT to finish the remaining dates on their own. The band also recorded the In The Red EP this year, and Until We Die was released on GMM Records. The band also set out on its first national tour with Awkward Thought
. This tour was also joined, at points, by The Krays, Truents, Toxic Narcotic
, and The Flatliners
.
Shortly after the tour, Gabe was fired from the band. In 2001, AGT carried on as a three-piece with Pete on bass, Mike on drums, and Bryan on guitar and vocals, playing a handful of shows in Massachusetts and New York City. The band also recorded a split 7" with Toxic Narcotic
before touring with The Casualties
. For this tour, John Curran, who went on to form the L.A. 'shitgaze' band Kiss Me Deadly in 2009, joined the band as the new bassist and Pete returned to guitar. In December, AGT recorded their 3rd full-length LP Here We Are, which was released on Punkcore Records. During this time, Bryan began playing guitar as Pete Curtis prepared to leave the band and move to L.A. Around this time, Pete Curtis and former member Gabe Crate
, coincidentally also about to leave the Boston area, became involved in a violent altercation with one another at a party, during which Gabe called into question Pete's punk rock
credibility
, allegedly inspiring the lyrics for a future bonus track entitled "D.F." written by Pete about Gabe's own shortcomings.
In 2001, Pete played his last show as a full time member with the band before leaving for L.A., apparently becoming emotionally overwhelmed during the show and openly weeping. Pete, however, would rejoin the band several times in the future, rendering his tears on this occasion entirely superfluous. What the Fuck Will Change? was also re-released this year on Punkcore Records. 2002 also saw the band embark on another U.S. tour with The Casualties
, as well as a U.S. tour with Defiance
, for which Pete rejoined the band.
In winter and spring of 2003, the band toured the west coast and north east with Clit 45
. Also that spring the "Earache/Pass the time" EP was released. For the summer AGT would tour the U.S. with F-minus.
In 2004–2005 AGT continued to play shows, toured the US with Casualties and then the Unseen and Career Soldiers, began work on new musical material and also searched for a new record label. They eventually landed with BYO Records
.
In 2006, the band recorded what would become their final record, Where the Sun Never Sets on BYO Records. Many consider this album to be the band's most musically complex and innovative achievement, while also maintaining the original political and musical aggressiveness for which the band has always been known and respected.
In support of the release A Global Threat would tour southern California, then the east coast with Strike Anywhere
, the Subhumans across the midwest US followed by their first full Canadian tour joined in part by the Wednesday Night Heroes
. They would then tour the US again with Strike Anywhere, Bane, This is Hell, Ignite and Modern Life is War for the remainder of the summer and then returned to Canada for another tour with the Wednesday Night Heroes.
In winter 2007 they would tour southern California and Arizona with LCB, Monster Squad and Career Soldiers. Then A Global Threat completed a U.S. tour with The Casualties
before headlining another US tour with Wednesday Night Heroes
and Monster Squad. Mike O'Brien of Clit 45
played guitar on the first tour of the summer, while another replacement, Ben, took over the guitar on the second tour.
That summer tour, however would be their last, taking the stage for the final time at Welfare records in Haverhill MA. On November 19, 2007, the band officially folded and announced their break-up. In an interview with punkplanet.com conducted shortly after the band's dissolution Bryan stated that, among other things, creative differences, car theft, and crippling Arthritis
were the main factors leading to the breakup of the band.
album via the Jailhouse/Sixty Nine Apple label on cd format, as well as on vinyl format for the first time.
Street punk
Street punk is a working class-based genre of punk rock which took shape in the early 1980s, partly as a rebellion against the perceived artistic pretensions of the first wave of British punk. Street punk emerged from the Oi! style, performed by bands such as Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, Cockney...
band, formed in Bangor, ME in 1997. They released four full-length LPs as well as many 7" EPs and have toured extensively throughout the United States.
History 1997–2000
Originally formed in MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
in 1997, the band relocated to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in 1998, where it was based until their breakup. The original band members were Bryan Lothian, Brett Threat, Westie, and Tubby Tim. In 1998, the band recorded and self-released their first EP, The Kids Will Revolt Against All Authority, on Crack Rock Records. Soon after, Mike Graves and Petrov Curtis joined the band (on drums and guitar respectively) and AGT began playing live shows in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and New York. During this period, the band met Mark Civitarese (a member of Boston punk group The Unseen), who would become a major supporter of the band before later joining it himself. Mark re-released The Kids will revolt EP on his ADD Records label in late 1998. Subsequently, Mark became a member of AGT in 1999, when, during a weekend of gigs in New York, the band's van broke down and Mark offered them transportation on the condition that he be allowed to join the band. The group accepted and Mark took up dual vocal duties, with both he and founding member Bryan singing during live shows.
In 1999, they released the What the Fuck Will Change? EP as well as a split 7" EP with Broken. Both these releases saw the band progressing towards the more frantic and relentless streetpunk style for which they would later become well-known. What the Fuck Will Change? was later re-released as the band's first full length LP on Step-1 Music, including new material as well as re-recorded songs from The Kids EP. During this time Johnny joined the band on rhythm guitar and AGT embarked on a tour of the U.S. East Coast and South. Unfortunately, the band was involved in a three-car accident in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, forcing them to cancel the remaining dates of the tour. 1999 also saw the release of the Who's to Blame? split 7" EP with now defunct Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
band The End on Anarchist Records/ADD records.
Shortly thereafter, AGT secured a record deal with GMM records because Mark Noah had seen them play with in Chapel Hill,NC with Patriot. That winter, after a weekend of shows, original member Brett Threat was fired from the band and would subsequently move back to Maine and form the punk band USA Waste. The band then played a few shows with Johnny on bass, before he too was released from the band and went on to form USA Waste with Brett. AGT then recruited long-time friend and previous musical collaborator Gabe Crate
Gabe Crate
Gabe Crate is a professional cartoonist, writer, and storyboard artist currently living and working in Santa Monica, California. He is most known for his work on the print comic version of The Tick during the late 1990s and for his participation in several Boston-based punk rock bands during the...
(a.k.a Gabe Asturd) to join the group on bass. Having now secured a more musically solid lineup they hit the studio to record their second full length "Until We Die". In November, Mark Civitarese, also known as Mark Unseen, played his last show with AGT, having decided that being in two bands was too taxing.
History 2000–2007
In 2000, the band set out on an East Coast tour with the short-lived BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-based hardcore band The Statistics. However, The Statistics left the tour after only two shows, leaving AGT to finish the remaining dates on their own. The band also recorded the In The Red EP this year, and Until We Die was released on GMM Records. The band also set out on its first national tour with Awkward Thought
Awkward Thought
Awkward Thought is a New York hardcore punk band that formed in the 1990s.After numerous compilation appearances and two demo tapes, Awkward Thought released their first full length CD/LP titled Mayday on a US label, Blackout Records, in 2000. It also came out the same year on CD only on I Scream...
. This tour was also joined, at points, by The Krays, Truents, Toxic Narcotic
Toxic Narcotic
Toxic Narcotic is an American crust punk band from Boston, Massachusetts who formed in 1989. Though many label them crust or hardcore, they do not self-identify with any one specific subgenre of DIY punk. Their songs typically include anti war, violence, and green peace lyrics...
, and The Flatliners
The Flatliners
The Flatliners are a punk rock/ska punk band from Richmond Hill and Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Since their formation in 2002, The Flatliners have been a growing influence in the Toronto punk/ska scene as well as other areas of the Greater Toronto Area. They are currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords...
.
Shortly after the tour, Gabe was fired from the band. In 2001, AGT carried on as a three-piece with Pete on bass, Mike on drums, and Bryan on guitar and vocals, playing a handful of shows in Massachusetts and New York City. The band also recorded a split 7" with Toxic Narcotic
Toxic Narcotic
Toxic Narcotic is an American crust punk band from Boston, Massachusetts who formed in 1989. Though many label them crust or hardcore, they do not self-identify with any one specific subgenre of DIY punk. Their songs typically include anti war, violence, and green peace lyrics...
before touring with The Casualties
The Casualties
The Casualties are an American street punk band from New York City, New York, formed in 1990.-Biography:The Casualties members aimed to return to what they viewed as the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited, Charged GBH , which they believed had disappeared by...
. For this tour, John Curran, who went on to form the L.A. 'shitgaze' band Kiss Me Deadly in 2009, joined the band as the new bassist and Pete returned to guitar. In December, AGT recorded their 3rd full-length LP Here We Are, which was released on Punkcore Records. During this time, Bryan began playing guitar as Pete Curtis prepared to leave the band and move to L.A. Around this time, Pete Curtis and former member Gabe Crate
Gabe Crate
Gabe Crate is a professional cartoonist, writer, and storyboard artist currently living and working in Santa Monica, California. He is most known for his work on the print comic version of The Tick during the late 1990s and for his participation in several Boston-based punk rock bands during the...
, coincidentally also about to leave the Boston area, became involved in a violent altercation with one another at a party, during which Gabe called into question Pete's punk rock
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...
credibility
Credibility
Credibility refers to the objective and subjective components of the believability of a source or message.Traditionally, modern, credibility has two key components: trustworthiness and expertise, which both have objective and subjective components. Trustworthiness is based more on subjective...
, allegedly inspiring the lyrics for a future bonus track entitled "D.F." written by Pete about Gabe's own shortcomings.
In 2001, Pete played his last show as a full time member with the band before leaving for L.A., apparently becoming emotionally overwhelmed during the show and openly weeping. Pete, however, would rejoin the band several times in the future, rendering his tears on this occasion entirely superfluous. What the Fuck Will Change? was also re-released this year on Punkcore Records. 2002 also saw the band embark on another U.S. tour with The Casualties
The Casualties
The Casualties are an American street punk band from New York City, New York, formed in 1990.-Biography:The Casualties members aimed to return to what they viewed as the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited, Charged GBH , which they believed had disappeared by...
, as well as a U.S. tour with Defiance
Defiance (punk band)
Defiance are an anarcho street punk band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1993. Their discography includes five E.P.s, four full-lengths, and one album of out of print and rare songs...
, for which Pete rejoined the band.
In winter and spring of 2003, the band toured the west coast and north east with Clit 45
Clit 45
Clit 45 was a Streetpunk/Hardcore-band from Long Beach, California that formed in 1996. The band played traditional, fast punk, influenced by The Adolescents, Poison Idea and Bad Religion. Their second and third albums were published by BYO Records and distributed by Cargo Records in Europe...
. Also that spring the "Earache/Pass the time" EP was released. For the summer AGT would tour the U.S. with F-minus.
In 2004–2005 AGT continued to play shows, toured the US with Casualties and then the Unseen and Career Soldiers, began work on new musical material and also searched for a new record label. They eventually landed with BYO Records
BYO Records
BYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
.
In 2006, the band recorded what would become their final record, Where the Sun Never Sets on BYO Records. Many consider this album to be the band's most musically complex and innovative achievement, while also maintaining the original political and musical aggressiveness for which the band has always been known and respected.
In support of the release A Global Threat would tour southern California, then the east coast with Strike Anywhere
Strike Anywhere
Strike Anywhere is a punk rock/melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and...
, the Subhumans across the midwest US followed by their first full Canadian tour joined in part by the Wednesday Night Heroes
Wednesday Night Heroes
Wednesday Night Heroes are a punk band from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.They released their first demo in September, 1997, which included six songs. In July, 2001, they released their first full length album, which was self-titled....
. They would then tour the US again with Strike Anywhere, Bane, This is Hell, Ignite and Modern Life is War for the remainder of the summer and then returned to Canada for another tour with the Wednesday Night Heroes.
In winter 2007 they would tour southern California and Arizona with LCB, Monster Squad and Career Soldiers. Then A Global Threat completed a U.S. tour with The Casualties
The Casualties
The Casualties are an American street punk band from New York City, New York, formed in 1990.-Biography:The Casualties members aimed to return to what they viewed as the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited, Charged GBH , which they believed had disappeared by...
before headlining another US tour with Wednesday Night Heroes
Wednesday Night Heroes
Wednesday Night Heroes are a punk band from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.They released their first demo in September, 1997, which included six songs. In July, 2001, they released their first full length album, which was self-titled....
and Monster Squad. Mike O'Brien of Clit 45
Clit 45
Clit 45 was a Streetpunk/Hardcore-band from Long Beach, California that formed in 1996. The band played traditional, fast punk, influenced by The Adolescents, Poison Idea and Bad Religion. Their second and third albums were published by BYO Records and distributed by Cargo Records in Europe...
played guitar on the first tour of the summer, while another replacement, Ben, took over the guitar on the second tour.
That summer tour, however would be their last, taking the stage for the final time at Welfare records in Haverhill MA. On November 19, 2007, the band officially folded and announced their break-up. In an interview with punkplanet.com conducted shortly after the band's dissolution Bryan stated that, among other things, creative differences, car theft, and crippling Arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
were the main factors leading to the breakup of the band.
April 2011
It was announced via the Jailhouse Records website that A Global Threat would be re-issuing the long out of print Until We DieUntil We Die
Until We Die is the second studio album by A Global Threat. It was released in summer 2000 on GMM Records. The album is out of print and difficult to find...
album via the Jailhouse/Sixty Nine Apple label on cd format, as well as on vinyl format for the first time.
Band members
A Global Threat was somewhat notorious for its constantly changing line-up and numerous incarnations, with singer Bryan Lothian being the only founding member to remain in the band for its duration. The following is a partial list of its members since inception:- Bryan Lothian: vocals, guitar (Founding Member, 1997–2007)
- "Tubby" Tim Webber : drums (Founding Member, 1997–1998)
- Scott "Westie" Webber: guitar, drums (Founding Member, 1997–1998)
- Brett Threat: bass (Founding Member, 1997–1999)
- Mike Graves: drums (1998–2007)
- Pete Curtis: guitar, bass (1998–2006)
- Mark Civitarese (Mark Unseen): vocals (1998–1999)
- Gabe CrateGabe CrateGabe Crate is a professional cartoonist, writer, and storyboard artist currently living and working in Santa Monica, California. He is most known for his work on the print comic version of The Tick during the late 1990s and for his participation in several Boston-based punk rock bands during the...
: bass (1999–2000) - Johnny Thayer : guitar, bass (1999)
- John Curran: bass (2001–2007)
- Mike "Rufio" Kadomiya: guitar, various tours (2002–2006)
- Cody: guitar, tours in (2003–2004)
EPs
- The Kids Will RevoltThe Kids Will Revolt"The Kids Will Revolt" is the first release from A Global Threat. It was first released on 7" vinyl by Crack Rock Records in 1997. It was later re-pressed on Mark Unseen's label A.D.D. Records...
(1997) Crack Rock Records - What The Fuck Will Change?What The Fuck Will Change? EPWhat The Fuck Will Change? is the second release by A Global Threat. It was released as a CD EP in 1998 on Mark Unseen's label ADD Records.- Track listing :# "Religious Scam"# "Idle Threats"# "All We Really Own"# "False Patriot"# "Stop The Violence"...
(1998) ADD Records - In The RedIn The Red (A Global Threat album)In The Red is an EP by A Global Threat. It was released in 2000 on Rodent Popsicle Records. The sound is similar to their first two full-lengths albums, although Bryan now does not split the vocals...
(2000) Rodent Popsicle RecordsRodent Popsicle RecordsRodent Popsicle is an American record label, founded by Bill Damon, best known as the singer of the band Toxic Narcotic with the help of his bandmates. Following the D.I.Y. ethic, the purpose of the label is to not pursue profits from the releases, instead, help bands to get heard... - Earache / Pass the TimeEarache / Pass the Time"Earache/Pass The Time" is an EP by A Global Threat. It was released on March 13, 2003, on CD and 7" vinyl on Rodent Popsicle Records. Their sound has changed again since 2002's Here We Are, this release being closer to the style of their following album Where The Sun Never Sets.- Track listing...
(2003) Rodent Popsicle RecordsRodent Popsicle RecordsRodent Popsicle is an American record label, founded by Bill Damon, best known as the singer of the band Toxic Narcotic with the help of his bandmates. Following the D.I.Y. ethic, the purpose of the label is to not pursue profits from the releases, instead, help bands to get heard...
Studio Albums
- What The Fuck Will Change?What The Fuck Will Change?What The Fuck Will Change? is the first studio album by A Global Threat. It was originally released in 1999 by Step 1 Records and was re-released in 2002 by Punk Core Records with two more tracks.- Track listing :# "Religious Scam"# "Idle Threats"...
(1999) Step 1 Records - Until We DieUntil We DieUntil We Die is the second studio album by A Global Threat. It was released in summer 2000 on GMM Records. The album is out of print and difficult to find...
(2000) GMM Records - Here We AreHere We Are (A Global Threat album)"Here We Are" is the third studio album by A Global Threat. It was released on April 16, 2002, on Punk Core Records. This album shows the band departing slightly from the sound of Until We Die and What The Fuck Will Change?, incorporating complicated times and music.- Track listing :# "Here We...
(2002) Punk Core RecordsPunk Core RecordsPunk Core Records is an inactive record label founded in 1989 by Dave Amcher, alias Dave Punk Core. The label is based on Long Island, New York.Punk Core originally started out a punk zine/distro in the late 80's, but became a record label in the mid 90's... - Where The Sun Never SetsWhere the Sun Never Sets"Where The Sun Never Sets" is the fourth and final studio album by A Global Threat. It was released in 2006 on BYO Records. It is the most musically innovative of all their albums, moving even farther from the street punk sound of their first two....
(2006) BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
Split Albums
- A Global Threat / Broken (1999) Controlled Conscience
- A Global Threat / The End (1999) Anarchrist Records
- A Global Threat / Toxic NarcoticA Global Threat / Toxic NarcoticThis release is a split EP featuring the Boston bands Toxic Narcotic and A Global Threat. It was released in 2001 on Rodent Popsicle Records.- Track listing :Side A # "Asshole"# "Shut The Fuck Up"Side B # "Better Than You"...
(2001) Rodent Popsicle RecordsRodent Popsicle RecordsRodent Popsicle is an American record label, founded by Bill Damon, best known as the singer of the band Toxic Narcotic with the help of his bandmates. Following the D.I.Y. ethic, the purpose of the label is to not pursue profits from the releases, instead, help bands to get heard... - A Global Threat / General Strike (2007) CRR the Early Years CD: Contains both bands 1st 7"s