Modern Life Is War
Encyclopedia
Modern Life Is War was a Marshalltown, Iowa
-based melodic hardcore punk
band. They were known for their incendiary live shows and unique take on the melodic hardcore and hardcore
sound, usually avoiding standard songs structures and almost entirely abandoning the use of breakdowns. During M.L.I.W.'s six year run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7" E.P. Despite a growing profile on the underground hardcore circuit, and garnering critical acclaim from numerous musical outlets, Modern Life Is War announced their dissolution in early 2008.
(which often wrongly gets labeled as "My Life. My Love") and 2005's Witness are now available through the Deathwish Inc.
record label, which is owned and operated by Converge
singer Jacob Bannon
. Netherlands-based label Reflections Records
is responsible for worldwide distribution of all M.L.I.W. vinyl releases.
In mid 2005, after the release of Witness, guitarist Matt Hoffman and bassist Chris Honeck left the band. They were replaced by Sjarm 13 and Tim Churchman, respectively. On February 9, 2007, M.L.I.W. announced that they had inked a record deal with Equal Vision Records
. The band's final album, Midnight in America
, was released on August 21, 2007 to positive reviews.
, and reconvening on April 26 in the band's hometown of Marshalltown, IA. In a separate interview conducted several weeks before the tour, the band members discussed their hopes and achievements in playing together for the last six years:
Marshalltown, Iowa
Marshalltown is a city in and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,552 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 26,009 population in the 2000 census. -History:...
-based melodic hardcore punk
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:...
band. They were known for their incendiary live shows and unique take on the melodic hardcore and 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...
sound, usually avoiding standard songs structures and almost entirely abandoning the use of breakdowns. During M.L.I.W.'s six year run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7" E.P. Despite a growing profile on the underground hardcore circuit, and garnering critical acclaim from numerous musical outlets, Modern Life Is War announced their dissolution in early 2008.
Releases
M.L.I.W.'s self-titled 7-inch E.P. was released through Lifeline Records in early 2002. Their two subsequent studio albums, 2003's My Love. My Way.My Love. My Way.
My Love. My Way. is an album by Iowa hardcore quintet Modern Life is War. The album was originally released via Martyr Records; Deathwish Inc. now handles all Modern Life Is War reissues. The reissued and remastered version of My Love. My Way. contains two additional songs from the M.L.I.W...
(which often wrongly gets labeled as "My Life. My Love") and 2005's Witness are now available through the 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...
record label, which is owned and operated by Converge
Converge (band)
Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
singer Jacob Bannon
Jacob Bannon
Jacob Bannon is the vocalist, lyricist, and graphic artist for the American metalcore band Converge. He is also the founder and owner of the label Deathwish Inc...
. Netherlands-based label Reflections Records
Reflections Records
Reflections 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...
is responsible for worldwide distribution of all M.L.I.W. vinyl releases.
In mid 2005, after the release of Witness, guitarist Matt Hoffman and bassist Chris Honeck left the band. They were replaced by Sjarm 13 and Tim Churchman, respectively. On February 9, 2007, M.L.I.W. announced that they had inked a record deal with 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 ....
. The band's final album, Midnight in America
Midnight in America
Midnight in America is Modern Life is War's third and final full length album produced by J. Robbins.-Track listing:All tracks by Modern Life Is War# "Useless Generation" - 3:14# "Screaming at the Moon" - 2:24# "Stagger Lee" - 4:08...
, was released on August 21, 2007 to positive reviews.
Break-Up
On February 19, 2008, the band announced on their Myspace page that they would be breaking up, and that they were planning one final American tour, starting March 29 in Milwaukee, WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and reconvening on April 26 in the band's hometown of Marshalltown, IA. In a separate interview conducted several weeks before the tour, the band members discussed their hopes and achievements in playing together for the last six years:
“I hope that we have made some people feel less alone. I hope we have motivated people to think for themselves; to be themselves and to take action. Punk rock changed our lives, and I hope that we as a band contributed something to keep the whole thing going. We are leaving soon, but the future is unwritten . . . "
Band members
- John Eich - GuitarGuitarThe 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...
- Tim Churchman - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Tyler Oleson - DrumsDrum kitA 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 ....
- Sjarm 13 - Guitar
- Jeffrey Eaton - Vocals
Albums
- Modern Life Is War EPModern Life Is War EPThe Modern Life is War E.P. is the first release by Iowa hardcore band Modern Life is War. Released in 2002, the album was pressed exclusively as a 7" vinyl E.P. and distributed by Lifeline Records. "Destination: Death Or Better Days" and "The Farmer's Holiday Association" were later re-released on...
(2002) - My Love. My Way.My Love. My Way.My Love. My Way. is an album by Iowa hardcore quintet Modern Life is War. The album was originally released via Martyr Records; Deathwish Inc. now handles all Modern Life Is War reissues. The reissued and remastered version of My Love. My Way. contains two additional songs from the M.L.I.W...
(2003) - Witness (2005)
- Live on WLUW Split with Kill Your IdolsKill Your IdolsKill Your Idols was a hardcore punk band from Long Island/New York City, New York. The band was active from 1995 through 2007. They were signed to SideOneDummy Records....
(2006) - Midnight in AmericaMidnight in AmericaMidnight in America is Modern Life is War's third and final full length album produced by J. Robbins.-Track listing:All tracks by Modern Life Is War# "Useless Generation" - 3:14# "Screaming at the Moon" - 2:24# "Stagger Lee" - 4:08...
(2007)