Egg Hunt
Encyclopedia
Egg Hunt was a small band/project of long time friends and musicians Ian MacKaye
and Jeff Nelson
, former singer and drummer of the hardcore punk
band Minor Threat
.
During a 1986 trip to England's Southern Studios
to discuss possible European distribution of Dischord
releases with owner John Loder, the three decided to make a record together, and the project was dubbed "Egg Hunt", for festive reasons (it was Easter time). John took a seat in the producer's chair, while Ian and Jeff handled all the instruments. Their only release, a self-titled 7", was according to reviewer Ron DePasquale, an example of "experimental, post-hardcore
" music. The song "We All Fall Down", appearing on the second side, was a song that Ian had originally written for his earlier band, Embrace
, but was discarded by the band. Although a seemingly small release in comparison to Dischord's significant catalog, this record is still a notable example of MacKaye and Nelson's songwriting abilities, as well as chemistry together as artists.
They liked the project so much that they tried turning Egg Hunt into an actual band after returning to Washington, DC. They recruited former Gray Matter
members Steve Niles
and Geoff Turner, but Ian's energies and creativity were soon directed toward the forming of Fugazi, while Jeff, Geoff, Steve and former Gray Matter
guitarist Mark Haggerty started the Dischord band, Three
.
Ian MacKaye
Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician, label owner, and producer. Active since 1979, MacKaye is best known for being the frontman of the influential hardcore punk bands Minor Threat and The Teen Idles, the post-hardcore bands Embrace and Fugazi, as well...
and Jeff Nelson
Jeff Nelson (musician)
Jeff Nelson is best known as the drummer for the hardcore punk rock band Minor Threat. He and friend Ian MacKaye formed their first band, The Slinkees, in 1979. Their next band was The Teen Idles. Nelson and MacKaye founded Dischord Records in 1980, whose first record was the Teen Idles. They...
, former singer and drummer of the hardcore punk
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 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...
.
During a 1986 trip to England's Southern Studios
Southern Studios
Southern Studios is a recording studio in the Wood Green area of London. It was founded in 1974 by John Loder, and came to be the recording studio of choice for Crass and their record label Crass Records. Southern Studios Ltd. continues to grow its label and provide label management and...
to discuss possible European distribution of Dischord
Dischord Records
Dischord 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...
releases with owner John Loder, the three decided to make a record together, and the project was dubbed "Egg Hunt", for festive reasons (it was Easter time). John took a seat in the producer's chair, while Ian and Jeff handled all the instruments. Their only release, a self-titled 7", was according to reviewer Ron DePasquale, an example of "experimental, 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...
" music. The song "We All Fall Down", appearing on the second side, was a song that Ian had originally written for his earlier band, Embrace
Embrace (U.S. band)
Embrace was a short-lived post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., which lasted from the summer of 1985 to the spring of 1986 and was one of the first bands to be dubbed in the press as emotional hardcore, though the members had rejected the term since its creation...
, but was discarded by the band. Although a seemingly small release in comparison to Dischord's significant catalog, this record is still a notable example of MacKaye and Nelson's songwriting abilities, as well as chemistry together as artists.
They liked the project so much that they tried turning Egg Hunt into an actual band after returning to Washington, DC. They recruited former Gray Matter
Gray Matter (band)
Gray Matter was a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., who played in the 1980s and '90s. They disbanded in 1986, but reformed in 1990.On September 12, 2008, the band reformed for a one off reunion show to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Black Cat, a night club in Washington DC,...
members Steve Niles
Steve Niles
Steve Niles is an American comic book author and novelist, known for works such as 30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, Simon Dark, Mystery Society and Batman: Gotham County Line....
and Geoff Turner, but Ian's energies and creativity were soon directed toward the forming of Fugazi, while Jeff, Geoff, Steve and former Gray Matter
Gray Matter (band)
Gray Matter was a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., who played in the 1980s and '90s. They disbanded in 1986, but reformed in 1990.On September 12, 2008, the band reformed for a one off reunion show to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Black Cat, a night club in Washington DC,...
guitarist Mark Haggerty started the Dischord band, Three
Three (band)
Three was a post-hardcore band signed to Dischord Records.Originally composed of Ian Mackaye and Jeff Nelson along with Geoff Turner and Steve Niles of the band Gray Matter, Mackaye left the band quickly and was replaced by Mark Haggerty, also from Gray Matter. They formed in summer 1986 and broke...
.