.gif)
Birthright (band)
Encyclopedia
Birthright was a vegan straight-edge band in existence during the mid to late 1990s. It was based in Indianapolis
, Indiana
, United States
.
on that band's first US tour. His goal was to start a band with the intentions of promoting the straight edge
lifestyle, animal liberation
, and D.I.Y. hardcore
in general.
Though the band originally had a strong vegetarian slant to their lyrics, after a number of members quit the band in the early stages of development, Birthright eventually evolved into a vegan straight edge band. The band was outspoken in support of living a drug free lifestyle, of earth, human and animal liberation, as well as the practice of direct action
to achieve these goals. The lyrics also centered around these issues, though near the end of the band's life songs became more political in their focus, while the music developed a more metal-influenced sound.
During the height of the band's popularity Birthright was a mainstay of the Indianapolis
punk hardcore scene, and commonly played shows at the local punk collective space, The Sitcom. Birthright also played numerous shows around the Midwest, toured once to California in 1998 and once in Europe in the winter of 1998/1999.
The band broke up shortly after their European tour, primarily due to personal conflict between members.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Band history
Birthright was founded by Kurt Catalyst, after he left his previous band Jackhammer, and his short stint as bass player for Earth CrisisEarth Crisis
Earth Crisis is an American metalcore band from Syracuse, New York, active from 1989 until 2001, reuniting in 2007. Their most recent record, To the Death, was released in May 2009 through Century Media....
on that band's first US tour. His goal was to start a band with the intentions of promoting the straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
lifestyle, animal liberation
Animal Liberation
Animal liberation may refer to:*Animal rights, animals being considered as legal persons**Animal-liberation movement**Abolitionism , an abolitionist approach to animal rights**Veganarchism, a combined theory of animal liberation and anarchism...
, and D.I.Y. 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...
in general.
Though the band originally had a strong vegetarian slant to their lyrics, after a number of members quit the band in the early stages of development, Birthright eventually evolved into a vegan straight edge band. The band was outspoken in support of living a drug free lifestyle, of earth, human and animal liberation, as well as the practice of direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
to achieve these goals. The lyrics also centered around these issues, though near the end of the band's life songs became more political in their focus, while the music developed a more metal-influenced sound.
During the height of the band's popularity Birthright was a mainstay of the Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
punk hardcore scene, and commonly played shows at the local punk collective space, The Sitcom. Birthright also played numerous shows around the Midwest, toured once to California in 1998 and once in Europe in the winter of 1998/1999.
The band broke up shortly after their European tour, primarily due to personal conflict between members.
Members
At the time of their last show Birthright was:- Kurt Schroeder - vocals
- Ian Phillips - guitar
- Brett Bunting - drums
- Neal Taflinger - bass
- Jeff Dawes - guitar
Former members
Birthright had a great number of member changes over the course of the bands existence (especially the second guitar player position) many of whom played only a few appearances with the band. An incomplete list of former members includes:- Jon Harmon - bass (founding member)
- Beckett Weir - drums (founding member)
- Tony Reitz - guitar (founding member)
- Pete Wentz - bass
- Bryan Grimes - guitar
- Jason McCash - guitar
- Nathan Stambro - guitar
- Drew Grimes - drums
- Bob Peele - bass
Media
- Birthright recently appeared in an APAlternative Press (music magazine)Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....
article concerning the band Coalesce. - The band also appeared in an earlier AP article featuring former member Pete Wentz's current band, Fall Out Boy.
Releases
- Ascension 7" EP/MCDMCD-Entertainment:*MCD Productions, an Irish event promoter*Michael Clarke Duncan, African-American actor-Historical:*Monument Class Description, a synthesis and summary of the archaeological evidence for a British ancient monument*1400 in Roman numerals-Physics:...
(1996, Catalyst RecordsCatalyst RecordsCatalyst Records is a DIY hardcore record label from Indianapolis, Indiana, founded by Kurt Schroeder in the early 1990s. The label is noted for being a straight edge record label, for promoting vegan ethics, as well as other political stances .-Catalogue:-External links:* *...
) - Birthright/Unconquered split 7" with Unconquered (1997, Words of War Records)
- Out of Darkness 7" EP/MCD (1998, Good Life RecordingsGood Life RecordingsGood Life Recordings is a record label based in Belgium. It was founded in 1996 by Edward Verhaeghe who had been the lead vocalist in Nations On Fire. The label specializes in hardcore bands. It has released many highly significant bands of the second and third wave of hardcore, as well as the...
) - These Words Run in My Veins (2008, Catalyst RecordsCatalyst RecordsCatalyst Records is a DIY hardcore record label from Indianapolis, Indiana, founded by Kurt Schroeder in the early 1990s. The label is noted for being a straight edge record label, for promoting vegan ethics, as well as other political stances .-Catalogue:-External links:* *...
) - discography
Compilation appearances
- Stones to Mark a Fire compilation album (1997, Militant Records)
- reissued in 1998 as Ceremony of Fire by Uprising Recordings
External links
- Birthright on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Catalyst Records
- Catalyst Records on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....