Give Up the Ghost
Encyclopedia
Give Up the Ghost was a hardcore punk
band from Boston, Massachusetts.
(who was then a roadie for Ten Yard Fight
) met up with Azy Relph and Jesse Van Diest in 1998. They recorded a demo tape in 1999, followed by their debut release, a self-titled 7", on Bridge 9 Records
under their original name American Nightmare in 2000. After extensive touring and line-up changes, the band recorded their second release 7", The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter. This was later combined with their self-titled effort to form Year One, which was released posthumously.
Their debut full-length, Background Music, was recorded for Equal Vision Records
in 2001 and was released to much acclaim. In 2003, the band faced a legal battle with a similarly named band from Philadelphia. The band then changed their name briefly to the initials "A.N." then to American Nothing for a brief period. After the other American Nightmare threatened to press charges again, they changed their name to Give Up the Ghost (which was intended to be the name of their second album). Their second full length, We're Down Til We're Underground released on Equal Vision Records, displayed the band experimenting with their sound, with longer songs that didn't follow the typical hardcore songwriting formula they had adhered to in their previous releases.
Fans of the band are known to refer to them by their original name.
an tour. The band issued a statement which cited "health and personal reasons" for the split.
Give Up the Ghost's success, combined with the success of contemporary Boston bands like The Suicide File
, cemented the position of the Boston scene
as the bellwether for new trends during the early 2000s.
Members went on to join/form other bands such as Some Girls
, XO Skeletons, Ye Olde Maids, Head Automatica
, Bars, Cold Cave
and the Hope Conspiracy
. Wes also went on to start a publishing company called Heartworm Press and co-owns Philadelphia based bookstore/performance space Juanita And Juan's.
It is also stated that Frank Iero
of My Chemical Romance
played guitar for them on a few occasions while on tour in 2003-2004 with Every Time I Die and Suicide File. My Chemical Romance
, at the time, had not yet reached mainstream appeal, thus opening for Give Up The Ghost.
Give Up the Ghost came back into the headlines in 2007 under accusations that Fall Out Boy
had taken lyrics from Wes Eisold, the band's lyricist, resulting in an out-of-court settlement and a credit in the liner notes of both the multi-platinum selling From Under the Cork Tree
and Infinity on High
.
will also be reissue Give Up the Ghost's albums Background Music (2001) and We're Down Til We're Underground (2003) to coincide with the reunion dates.
Tickets for the two reunion shows went on sale on October 29th, 2011 and sold out in less than a minute. As a result, a special ticket package was announced to go on sale November 7th, with all proceeds going to Shirts For A Cure Project, which benefits the Syrentha Savio Endowment. The package included two tickets and two t-shirts for $100,
which in turn sold out in one minute.
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 from Boston, Massachusetts.
History
Give Up the Ghost was formed when Tim Cossar and Wesley EisoldWesley Eisold
Wesley Eisold is a musician, poet and author. He records music under the name Cold Cave and runs the publishing house Heartworm Press.-Biography:...
(who was then a roadie for Ten Yard Fight
Ten Yard Fight
Ten Yard Fight was a straight edge, football-based band formed in 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts. Along with In My Eyes and Floorpunch, they spearheaded the youth crew revival in 1997. Ten Yard Fight's "official" last show was in Boston on October 17, which would become the first National Edge Day...
) met up with Azy Relph and Jesse Van Diest in 1998. They recorded a demo tape in 1999, followed by their debut release, a self-titled 7", on Bridge 9 Records
Bridge 9 Records
Bridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
under their original name American Nightmare in 2000. After extensive touring and line-up changes, the band recorded their second release 7", The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter. This was later combined with their self-titled effort to form Year One, which was released posthumously.
Their debut full-length, Background Music, was recorded for Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
in 2001 and was released to much acclaim. In 2003, the band faced a legal battle with a similarly named band from Philadelphia. The band then changed their name briefly to the initials "A.N." then to American Nothing for a brief period. After the other American Nightmare threatened to press charges again, they changed their name to Give Up the Ghost (which was intended to be the name of their second album). Their second full length, We're Down Til We're Underground released on Equal Vision Records, displayed the band experimenting with their sound, with longer songs that didn't follow the typical hardcore songwriting formula they had adhered to in their previous releases.
Fans of the band are known to refer to them by their original name.
Breakup and aftermath
The band broke up suddenly in June 2004, a day after announcing the cancellation of a EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an tour. The band issued a statement which cited "health and personal reasons" for the split.
Give Up the Ghost's success, combined with the success of contemporary Boston bands like The Suicide File
The Suicide File
The Suicide File was a short-lived American hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts that formed in April 2001. The band wrote songs with a mostly political message, although many songs also dealt with social and personal problems. Most of the band's output was released on the Southern California...
, cemented the position of the Boston scene
Boston hardcore
Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. (Not to be confused with Boston metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore; itself an...
as the bellwether for new trends during the early 2000s.
Members went on to join/form other bands such as Some Girls
Some Girls (California band)
Some Girls was a collective of musicians who came from different backgrounds and all who had established bands that pushed the limits of hardcore punk. Their musical style was a hybrid of mathcore, grindcore and noise rock.-History:...
, XO Skeletons, Ye Olde Maids, Head Automatica
Head Automatica
Head Automatica is a Dance Rock band, formed by Glassjaw frontman Daryl Palumbo with Jarvis Holden, formerly of Give Up the Ghost or American Nightmare, Jim Greer, and Brandon Arnovick.-History:...
, Bars, Cold Cave
Cold Cave
Cold Cave is the experimental musical project of Wesley Eisold based in New York City and originating in Philadelphia and is described as "a collage of darkwave, noise, and synth pop"...
and the Hope Conspiracy
The Hope Conspiracy
The Hope Conspiracy is a hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts that formed late 1999. They were picked up by Equal Vision Records and Bridge 9 Records before signing a deal with Deathwish Records.-Biography:...
. Wes also went on to start a publishing company called Heartworm Press and co-owns Philadelphia based bookstore/performance space Juanita And Juan's.
It is also stated that Frank Iero
Frank Iero
Frank Anthony Iero Jr is the rhythm guitarist, co-lead guitarist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance as well as the vocalist of the post-hardcore band Leathermouth.-Early life:...
of My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
played guitar for them on a few occasions while on tour in 2003-2004 with Every Time I Die and Suicide File. My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
, at the time, had not yet reached mainstream appeal, thus opening for Give Up The Ghost.
Give Up the Ghost came back into the headlines in 2007 under accusations that Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
had taken lyrics from Wes Eisold, the band's lyricist, resulting in an out-of-court settlement and a credit in the liner notes of both the multi-platinum selling From Under the Cork Tree
From Under the Cork Tree
From Under the Cork Tree is the third studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was released on May 3, 2005, through Island Records as the band's major label debut...
and Infinity on High
Infinity on High
Infinity on High is the fourth studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on February 5, 2007 by Island Records as the follow-up to the band's commercially successful 2005 album From Under the Cork Tree. Pre-production began in the group's hometown of Chicago, where writing and...
.
Reunion
After seven years of disbandment, Give Up the Ghost will play two reunion shows in December 2011. The band will perform in Boston on December 29, and in Los Angeles on December 31. Deathwish Inc.Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish, Inc. is a independent record label founded by Jacob Bannon and Tre McCarthy. The label was originally used to release early albums by Bannon's own band Converge starting in late 1991. It wasn't until late 1999 that McCarthy and Bannon discussed turning Deathwish into a full-fledged label...
will also be reissue Give Up the Ghost's albums Background Music (2001) and We're Down Til We're Underground (2003) to coincide with the reunion dates.
Tickets for the two reunion shows went on sale on October 29th, 2011 and sold out in less than a minute. As a result, a special ticket package was announced to go on sale November 7th, with all proceeds going to Shirts For A Cure Project, which benefits the Syrentha Savio Endowment. The package included two tickets and two t-shirts for $100,
which in turn sold out in one minute.
Discography
- 4 Song Demo Tape/7" (1999) - Self Released/MalfunctionMalfunctionA malfunction is when something functions wrongly or does not function at all.Some types of malfunctions are:*Malfunction , malfunction of a parachute*Sexual malfunction, also called "sexual dysfunction"**See also dyspareunia...
- 3 Song Preview Tape - Self Released
- American Nightmare 7" (2000) - Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
- The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter 7" (2001) - Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
- Background Music CD/LP (2001) - Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision RecordsEqual Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
- Black on Black: A Tribute to Black FlagBlack on Black: A Tribute to Black FlagBlack on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag is a tribute album to the defunct American hardcore punk band Black Flag. The album was originally released through Initial Records on October 8, 2002...
(song: Depression) (2002) - InitialInitialIn a written or published work, an initial is a letter at the beginning of a work, a chapter, or a paragraph that is larger than the rest of the text. The word is derived from the Latin initialis, which means standing at the beginning... - Love American Demos (2002–2003) - Unreleased
- Love American CDep (2003) - Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
/Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision RecordsEqual Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo .... - We're Down Til We're Underground CD/LP (2003) - Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision RecordsEqual Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
- We're Down Til We're Underground 5 Test Press LP's - Burning Heart RecordsBurning Heart RecordsBurning Heart Records is an independent record label formed in 1993 and based in Örebro, Sweden. It has a close affiliation with Californian label Epitaph Records, who own the rights to distribute Burning Heart's output in North America...
- Live in London 7" (2003) - Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
- Year One CD/2x7" (2004) - Reflections RecordsReflections RecordsReflections Records is a primarily hardcore record label based in Arnhem, The Netherlands. It started in 1994 as a fanzine that in 1998 added a 7-inch compilation to one issue that proved successful and sparked a change to becoming a record label. At present, Reflections releases albums in a number...
/Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996... - Year One (Ten Year Anniversary Reissue) 12" (2011) - Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...