Dag Nasty
Encyclopedia
Dag Nasty was a Washington D.C. punk band formed in 1985 by guitarist Brian Baker
of Minor Threat
, drummer Colin Sears
and bassist Roger Marbury, both of Bloody Mannequin Orchestra
, and vocalist Shawn Brown
(later of Swiz
and Jesuseater). Their style of less aggressive, melodic hardcore
was influential to emocore, as well as post-hardcore
.
Shawn Brown was the first vocalist with whom the band recorded (until recently) unreleased versions of most of the material that later made up their first release Can I Say
, which featured former roadie and new singer Dave Smalley
of DYS
. Dave left the band to attend grad school at New York University before a summer tour with the Descendents. A new singer, Peter Cortner, was found after the band placed an ad in a local paper and the tour was kept. After touring half the US opening for the Descendents, the band went home and recorded new material that wasn't released until years later. After a few more local shows, the band broke up in the fall of 1986. Brian went to L.A. to start a new band with Doug Carrion and half of Doggie Style called Doggie Rock. After releasing one album under the Doggie Style name, Doggie Rock broke up and Brian reformed Dag Nasty in early 1987 with Peter, Colin and Doug replacing Roger Marbury, who declined to rejoin. Months later, the band recorded and released Wig Out at Denko's
, including rerecorded versions of the late 86' tape and new material.
1988 saw the release of their album Field Day on Giant Records which was distributed by Dutch East India. It was an ambitious album, often generating sharply polarised appraisals from fans: many hated it and many loved it. Field Day attempted to blend pop melodies with hardcore
and metal
riffs even further than previously attempted on Wig Out. The result was, at times, uneven but helped to usher in a new style of hardcore
with more controlled playing, guitar effects, acoustic elements and slower tempos – effectively planting the seeds for "emo
". The band split up shortly after touring for Field Day ended.
In 1992, Dag Nasty reformed with Smalley on vocals and released the album Four on the Floor
. In 1991, Selfless Records
had released 85-86
, a collection of early, pre-Can I Say
recordings.
In 2002 the band got back together, again with Smalley on the mic, returning the band to a hardcore sound. The result of this reunion was the album Minority of One
. To this day they still release records, though Dag Nasty remains more of a side project for its members than a full-time active band. Cortner, who has not been involved with the band directly for years, completed his education as a lawyer, practiced law and recently became a schoolteacher. While strictly as a personal hobby now, Cortner has continued to make music under the names GPFA and, more recently, in a collaboration with Philadelphia area musicians entitled The Gerunds. Sears went on to play in The Marshes
and later after moving to Portland, Oregon for Handgun Bravado and The Valley Floor. He also works as a city planner for the Portland Development Commission
. The other members of the band have remained involved in music.
Baker joined Bad Religion
after Brett Gurewitz
left to focus on his own record label (Epitaph Records
) and continued to play in the band when Gurewitz rejoined.
In 2009 Brian Baker said he wanted to make a new Dag Nasty record with Peter Cortner.
"We want to do another record with Peter singing at some point and that will be the next one we do. I've spoken with Colin and Roger and they want to do it with Peter next time. Maybe a year from now, who knows? Whenever people are available. The one thing about Peter is that he's a really good lyricist. That's always been his strong point"
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Brian Baker (musician)
Brian Baker is an American punk rock musician. He is best known as one of the founding members of the hardcore punk band Minor Threat, and as a guitarist in Bad Religion since 1994 alongside Greg Hetson...
of 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...
, drummer Colin Sears
Colin Sears
Colin Sears is a punk drummer who has performed in Bloody Mannequin Orchestra, Dag Nasty, The Marshes, and currently Handgun Bravado and The Valley Floor...
and bassist Roger Marbury, both of Bloody Mannequin Orchestra
Bloody Mannequin Orchestra
Bloody Mannequin Orchestra were an influential early 1980s punk band from Bethesda, MD. They formed around a small, but active, scene at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and were part of the larger D.C hardcore community. The band members were Colin Sears, Roger Marbury, Alex Mahoney, Sharon...
, and vocalist Shawn Brown
Shawn Brown
Shawn Brown is an American singer and songwriter from Washington D.C. Shawn sang for Dag Nasty from August 1985 until February 1986. After leaving Dag Nasty, Shawn went on to sing for Swiz. Shawn is currently living in Washington D.C. where he works as a tattoo artist. His last musical project...
(later of Swiz
Swiz
Swiz was a hardcore punk band formed in 1987 in Washington, DC. The founding members were Shawn Brown , Jason Farrell , Ramsey Metcalf , Nathan Larson , and Alex Daniels . Prior the formation of Swiz, Brown had been the original vocalist for Dag Nasty...
and Jesuseater). Their style of less aggressive, melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
was influential to emocore, as well as post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
.
Shawn Brown was the first vocalist with whom the band recorded (until recently) unreleased versions of most of the material that later made up their first release Can I Say
Can I Say
Can I Say is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1986 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:All tracks by Dag NastySide one#"Values Here" - 2:23#"One to Two" - 2:15#"Circles" - 2:46...
, which featured former roadie and new singer Dave Smalley
Dave Smalley
Not to be confused with Dave Smalley Dave Smalley is an American musician, best known as the punk bands DYS, Dag Nasty, All and singer/guitarist with Down By Law. He is known for his influence on pop punk music and his early contributions to the emo genre...
of 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...
. Dave left the band to attend grad school at New York University before a summer tour with the Descendents. A new singer, Peter Cortner, was found after the band placed an ad in a local paper and the tour was kept. After touring half the US opening for the Descendents, the band went home and recorded new material that wasn't released until years later. After a few more local shows, the band broke up in the fall of 1986. Brian went to L.A. to start a new band with Doug Carrion and half of Doggie Style called Doggie Rock. After releasing one album under the Doggie Style name, Doggie Rock broke up and Brian reformed Dag Nasty in early 1987 with Peter, Colin and Doug replacing Roger Marbury, who declined to rejoin. Months later, the band recorded and released Wig Out at Denko's
Wig Out at Denko's
Wig Out At Denkos is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1987 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:Side one#"The Godfather" - 3:21#"Trying" - 1:59#"Safe" - 3:07#"Fall" - 2:53...
, including rerecorded versions of the late 86' tape and new material.
1988 saw the release of their album Field Day on Giant Records which was distributed by Dutch East India. It was an ambitious album, often generating sharply polarised appraisals from fans: many hated it and many loved it. Field Day attempted to blend pop melodies with hardcore
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...
and metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
riffs even further than previously attempted on Wig Out. The result was, at times, uneven but helped to usher in a new style of hardcore
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...
with more controlled playing, guitar effects, acoustic elements and slower tempos – effectively planting the seeds for "emo
Emo
Emo is a style of rock music and its associated subcultureEmo may also refer to:- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario...
". The band split up shortly after touring for Field Day ended.
In 1992, Dag Nasty reformed with Smalley on vocals and released the album Four on the Floor
Four on the Floor
Four on the Floor was a sketch comedy series which aired on CBC Television in 1986. Consisting of only 13 episodes, the series was a showcase for The Frantics, a comedy troupe consisting of Paul Chato, Rick Green, Dan Redican and Peter Wildman...
. In 1991, Selfless Records
Selfless Records
Selfless Records is a record label that releases punk rock music. The label was notable for putting out a number of albums that were covers of entire Ramones albums, including Leave Home, Ramones and Rocket to Russia.-Artists:*Antischism*Big Boys*Dag Nasty...
had released 85-86
85-86
85-86 is a collection of unreleased and hard to find recordings including some of the 1985 demo, live material, and outtakes from 1986 by Dag Nasty....
, a collection of early, pre-Can I Say
Can I Say
Can I Say is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1986 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:All tracks by Dag NastySide one#"Values Here" - 2:23#"One to Two" - 2:15#"Circles" - 2:46...
recordings.
In 2002 the band got back together, again with Smalley on the mic, returning the band to a hardcore sound. The result of this reunion was the album Minority of One
Minority of One
Minority of One is the fifth full-length album released by the band Dag Nasty after their reunion in 2002.-Track listing:# "Ghosts" - 2:49# "Minority of One" - 2:18# "Bottle This" - 3:52# "Broken Days" - 3:54# "Your Words" - 2:02...
. To this day they still release records, though Dag Nasty remains more of a side project for its members than a full-time active band. Cortner, who has not been involved with the band directly for years, completed his education as a lawyer, practiced law and recently became a schoolteacher. While strictly as a personal hobby now, Cortner has continued to make music under the names GPFA and, more recently, in a collaboration with Philadelphia area musicians entitled The Gerunds. Sears went on to play in The Marshes
The Marshes
The Marshes are an American punk band, from Northampton, Massachusetts, that originally included Colin Sears , Emil Busi and Steven Wardlaw .-Career:...
and later after moving to Portland, Oregon for Handgun Bravado and The Valley Floor. He also works as a city planner for the Portland Development Commission
Portland Development Commission
The Portland Development Commission is the urban renewal agency created by the city of Portland, Oregon. It promotes development, housing projects and economic development within the city's eleven urban renewal districts....
. The other members of the band have remained involved in music.
Baker joined Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
after Brett Gurewitz
Brett 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...
left to focus on his own record label (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 continued to play in the band when Gurewitz rejoined.
In 2009 Brian Baker said he wanted to make a new Dag Nasty record with Peter Cortner.
"We want to do another record with Peter singing at some point and that will be the next one we do. I've spoken with Colin and Roger and they want to do it with Peter next time. Maybe a year from now, who knows? Whenever people are available. The one thing about Peter is that he's a really good lyricist. That's always been his strong point"
Members
VocalsSinging
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Shawn BrownShawn BrownShawn Brown is an American singer and songwriter from Washington D.C. Shawn sang for Dag Nasty from August 1985 until February 1986. After leaving Dag Nasty, Shawn went on to sing for Swiz. Shawn is currently living in Washington D.C. where he works as a tattoo artist. His last musical project...
(August 1985-February 1986) - Dave SmalleyDave SmalleyNot to be confused with Dave Smalley Dave Smalley is an American musician, best known as the punk bands DYS, Dag Nasty, All and singer/guitarist with Down By Law. He is known for his influence on pop punk music and his early contributions to the emo genre...
(February 1986-June 1986/1991/2002) - Peter Cortner (July 1986-July 1988)
Guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Brian BakerBrian Baker (musician)Brian Baker is an American punk rock musician. He is best known as one of the founding members of the hardcore punk band Minor Threat, and as a guitarist in Bad Religion since 1994 alongside Greg Hetson...
Bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Roger Marbury (August 1985-March 1987/1991/2002)
- Doug CarrionDoug CarrionFrom the moment Doug Carrions mom took him to the legendary Light House in Hermosa Beach, California to see Jazz for the first time at the age of 9, his passion became music. He taught himself to play guitar and began his career in music as a musician - playing in underground favorites such as...
(March 1987-July 1988)
Drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Colin SearsColin SearsColin Sears is a punk drummer who has performed in Bloody Mannequin Orchestra, Dag Nasty, The Marshes, and currently Handgun Bravado and The Valley Floor...
(August 1985-June 1987/1991/2002) - Scott Garrett (August 1987-July 1988)
- London MayLondon MayLondon May , is a rock musician best known for playing drums in Glenn Danzig's post-Misfits/pre-Danzig punk/goth band Samhain, which he joined in the summer of 1985...
("Wig Out at Denko'sWig Out at Denko'sWig Out At Denkos is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1987 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:Side one#"The Godfather" - 3:21#"Trying" - 1:59#"Safe" - 3:07#"Fall" - 2:53...
" tour, summer 1987)
Discography
- Can I SayCan I SayCan I Say is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1986 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:All tracks by Dag NastySide one#"Values Here" - 2:23#"One to Two" - 2:15#"Circles" - 2:46...
LP (Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
, 1986) - Wig Out at Denko'sWig Out at Denko'sWig Out At Denkos is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1987 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:Side one#"The Godfather" - 3:21#"Trying" - 1:59#"Safe" - 3:07#"Fall" - 2:53...
LP (Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
, 1987) - All Ages ShowAll Ages ShowAll Ages Show is a 7" EP by Dag Nasty released in 1987 through Giant Records. Released on black, clear blue and green vinyl. 5000 records pressed.-Personnel:*Dag Nasty**Peter Cortner - Vocals**Brian Baker - Guitars**Doug Carrion - Bass...
7" (Giant Records, 1987) - Field Day LP (Giant Records, 1988)
- Trouble IsTrouble IsTrouble Is is an 12" EP by Dag Nasty released in 1988 through Giant Records. PRESSING INFO: Black vinyl came in plain white cardboard sleeve with Giant Records one sheet. Clear green vinyl came in clear plastic sleeve.-Personnel:...
12" (Giant Records, 1988) - Can I Say/Wig Out at Denko'sCan I Say/Wig Out at Denko'sCan I Say/Wig Out at Denko's contained the first two Dag Nasty LP's on one CD. Now out of print.-Track listing:#"Values Here"#"One to Two"#"Circles"#"Thin Line"#"Justification"#"What Now?"#"I've Heard"#"Under Your Influence"#"Can I Say"...
CD (Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
, 1991) - 85-8685-8685-86 is a collection of unreleased and hard to find recordings including some of the 1985 demo, live material, and outtakes from 1986 by Dag Nasty....
LP/7" Box Set/CD (Selfless RecordsSelfless RecordsSelfless Records is a record label that releases punk rock music. The label was notable for putting out a number of albums that were covers of entire Ramones albums, including Leave Home, Ramones and Rocket to Russia.-Artists:*Antischism*Big Boys*Dag Nasty...
, 1991) - Four on the FloorFour on the Floor (Dag Nasty Album)Four On The Floor is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1992 through Epitaph Records. Four on the Floor was a one-shot reunion record recorded while all members were on vacation in Los Angeles in the summer of 1991. Guitar tracks are credited to one "Dale Nixon"...
LP/CD (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...
, 1992) - Minority of OneMinority of OneMinority of One is the fifth full-length album released by the band Dag Nasty after their reunion in 2002.-Track listing:# "Ghosts" - 2:49# "Minority of One" - 2:18# "Bottle This" - 3:52# "Broken Days" - 3:54# "Your Words" - 2:02...
LP/CD (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,...
, 2002) - Dag with Shawn LP/CD (Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
, 2010)
- Can I SayCan I SayCan I Say is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1986 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:All tracks by Dag NastySide one#"Values Here" - 2:23#"One to Two" - 2:15#"Circles" - 2:46...
and Wig Out at Denko'sWig Out at Denko'sWig Out At Denkos is an album by Dag Nasty released in 1987 through Dischord Records.Remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs in 2002.-Track listing:Side one#"The Godfather" - 3:21#"Trying" - 1:59#"Safe" - 3:07#"Fall" - 2:53...
were remastered and separately re-released by Dischord in 2002.