Thought Riot
Encyclopedia
Thought Riot was an American
hardcore punk
band from California
's Central Valley. The band was composed of kids pushing progressive
political ideas through their lyrics. The writings of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
are cited and often paraphrased in the band's lyrics.
/vocals), Bryan Jones (bass), and Ben Harrison (drums
). After playing a number of shows, Josh and Mike were added to the lineup. Josh added a second guitar and additional vocals, while Mike took over bass duties. Bryan shifted to vocals and Marc to guitar only. In 1998, Bryan left the band, and Marc reprised his role as lead vocalist while still playing guitar. This lineup would record a six song demo entitled "Our Six Best Takes." Shortly after recording, Ben left the band, followed by Josh.
Through 1999, the band had very little activity, but Marc and Mike continued to write lyrics and compositions. In 2000, Kelley Dangerously was added to the band's roster, playing guitar. Brian and Brad also joined in 2000, playing guitar and drums, respectively. The same year, the band recorded and releaseed a demo EP entitled "Bright Dreams For A Dark World."
. In October of the same year, the band's first LP, Shattered Mirror Syndrome was recorded. The album would be released March 19, 2002. The release was followed by the band's participation of A-F Records/Fat Wreck Chords
"Mobilize for Peace—" East Coast tour. In addition to Thought Riot, the tour included Anti-Flag
, Good Riddance
, The Code
, Pipedown
and Strike Anywhere
. In the same year, Brian and Brad both left the band, and Adam Parker (drums) and Bryan Harrison (guitar) join. The band continued to tour in Oregon and Washington, as well as participating in the Southwest Tour 2002 with Scattered Fall.
In 2003, the 7 inch "The Dangerous Doctrine Of Empathy" was recorded and released by Record Labelation. In May, the band's second LP was recorded at Art of Ears, followed by extensive touring, including Anti-Flag's The Terror State
CD release tour. Sketches Of Undying Will would be released on November 18, 2003.
From 2004 to 2006, Thought Riot toured virtually non-stop. Bryan left the band in February of '04 and was replaced by Robby Goodson. In May of the same year, Adam left the band due to tendon and nerve damage in his arm, and was replaced by Paul Baker. The band then toured extensively, including participating in Warped Tour. Thought Riot toured California for a period in 2006. Paul has since left the band. As of 2007, the band is currently deciding where to go from their current position. Kelley has stated on the band's MySpace
page that many songs have been written but not recorded, or have been recorded but not released. She has also stated the band will continue to play some local shows.
Thought Riot have disbanded. This appears to have happened some time around 2006 or 2007, but the exact time has not been verified.
1. Breaking Old Tablets
2. All For God, And A Gun For All
3. Save The Humans
4. Encomienda
5. Sign Of The Times
6. American Deity
7. Patriot
8. Not Our Property
9. On Friends And Mistakes
10. Black Watch
11. Duality Of The Revolutionary
12. Pillow Over The Face As Therapy
13. Struggle
2. Sepsis: Part One
3. Burning Too (Fugazi Cover)
4. The Plague (Redemption 87 Cover)
1. With Love, The Underground
2. You're Gonna Die
3. Glenview
4. On New Tablets
5. Homeland Insecurities
6. The Hermit Of Sils Maria
7. Cycle Of The Streets
8. Hard Words
9. I Voted For Nader
10. A Song In Response To...
11. Ink Soaked Pages
12. Walking Stick For The Weak
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Central Valley. The band was composed of kids pushing progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
political ideas through their lyrics. The writings of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a 19th-century German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist...
are cited and often paraphrased in the band's lyrics.
Prior to A-F Records signing
Thought Riot was formed in June 1997, originally consisting of Marc riot (guitarGuitar
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...
/vocals), Bryan Jones (bass), and Ben Harrison (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 ....
). After playing a number of shows, Josh and Mike were added to the lineup. Josh added a second guitar and additional vocals, while Mike took over bass duties. Bryan shifted to vocals and Marc to guitar only. In 1998, Bryan left the band, and Marc reprised his role as lead vocalist while still playing guitar. This lineup would record a six song demo entitled "Our Six Best Takes." Shortly after recording, Ben left the band, followed by Josh.
Through 1999, the band had very little activity, but Marc and Mike continued to write lyrics and compositions. In 2000, Kelley Dangerously was added to the band's roster, playing guitar. Brian and Brad also joined in 2000, playing guitar and drums, respectively. The same year, the band recorded and releaseed a demo EP entitled "Bright Dreams For A Dark World."
A-F Records signing to Present
In March 2001, Thought Riot signed to A-F RecordsA-F Records
A-F Records is an independent record label originated by the band Anti-Flag, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. This label was created to help expose more political punk rock bands to a greater audience...
. In October of the same year, the band's first LP, Shattered Mirror Syndrome was recorded. The album would be released March 19, 2002. The release was followed by the band's participation of A-F Records/Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
"Mobilize for Peace—" East Coast tour. In addition to Thought Riot, the tour included Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
, Good Riddance
Good Riddance
Good Riddance was a punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California. They released seven full-length studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords, and their final album was a live recording of their farewell concert in 2007. Led by vocalist Russ Rankin, the band's longtime lineup included guitarist Luke Pabich,...
, The Code
The Code (band)
The Code is a former American ska-punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band released their first full-length CD on A-F Records, which they followed up with a split with Whatever It Takes. They have also toured with bands such as Rise Against, Against Me!, Bouncing Souls, Pipedown and...
, Pipedown
Pipedown
Pipedown was a hardcore punk band from Northern California with radical leftist lyrics. Starting in Grass Valley, California in 1997, their lyrics often remind of eco-anarchism, especially since they recommended books like the Unabomber Manifesto: Industrial Society and its Future and Deep...
and Strike Anywhere
Strike Anywhere
Strike Anywhere is a punk rock/melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and...
. In the same year, Brian and Brad both left the band, and Adam Parker (drums) and Bryan Harrison (guitar) join. The band continued to tour in Oregon and Washington, as well as participating in the Southwest Tour 2002 with Scattered Fall.
In 2003, the 7 inch "The Dangerous Doctrine Of Empathy" was recorded and released by Record Labelation. In May, the band's second LP was recorded at Art of Ears, followed by extensive touring, including Anti-Flag's The Terror State
The Terror State
-Personnel:* Justin Sane- Guitar & lead vocals* Chris Head- Guitar & vocals* Chris #2- Bass & lead vocals* Pat Thetic- Drums...
CD release tour. Sketches Of Undying Will would be released on November 18, 2003.
From 2004 to 2006, Thought Riot toured virtually non-stop. Bryan left the band in February of '04 and was replaced by Robby Goodson. In May of the same year, Adam left the band due to tendon and nerve damage in his arm, and was replaced by Paul Baker. The band then toured extensively, including participating in Warped Tour. Thought Riot toured California for a period in 2006. Paul has since left the band. As of 2007, the band is currently deciding where to go from their current position. Kelley has stated on the band's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace 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....
page that many songs have been written but not recorded, or have been recorded but not released. She has also stated the band will continue to play some local shows.
Thought Riot have disbanded. This appears to have happened some time around 2006 or 2007, but the exact time has not been verified.
Current
- Marc Riot - lead vocals (1997 - 2006/2007)
- Mike - bass (1997 - Present)
- Kelley Dangerously - guitar, vocals (2000 - 2006/2007)
- Robby Goodson - guitar, vocals (2004 - 2006/2007)
- Chad - drums (? - 2006/2007)
Former
- Ben Harrison [Drums] (1997 - 1998)
- Bryan Jones [Bass, vocals] (1997 - 1998)
- Josh Miller [Guitar, vocals] (1997 - 1998)
- Brian Stark [Guitar] (2000 - 2002)
- Brad Stark [Drums] (2000 - 2002)
- Bryan Harrison [Guitar, vocals] (2002 - 2004)
- Adam Parker [Drums, vocals] (2002 - 2004)
- Paul Baker [Drums] (2004 - 2006)
Shattered Mirror Syndrome
Released March 19, 2002.1. Breaking Old Tablets
2. All For God, And A Gun For All
3. Save The Humans
4. Encomienda
5. Sign Of The Times
6. American Deity
7. Patriot
8. Not Our Property
9. On Friends And Mistakes
10. Black Watch
11. Duality Of The Revolutionary
12. Pillow Over The Face As Therapy
13. Struggle
The Dangerous Doctrine of Empathy E.P.
1. Dangerous Doctrine of Empathy2. Sepsis: Part One
3. Burning Too (Fugazi Cover)
4. The Plague (Redemption 87 Cover)
Sketches Of Undying Will
Released November 18, 2003.1. With Love, The Underground
2. You're Gonna Die
3. Glenview
4. On New Tablets
5. Homeland Insecurities
6. The Hermit Of Sils Maria
7. Cycle Of The Streets
8. Hard Words
9. I Voted For Nader
10. A Song In Response To...
11. Ink Soaked Pages
12. Walking Stick For The Weak
Trivia
- At the end of the song Sign of the Times, a clip from Monty Python's Life of BrianMonty Python's Life of BrianMonty Python's Life of Brian, also known as Life of Brian, is a 1979 British comedy film written, directed and largely performed by the Monty Python comedy team...
can be heard. - The quote at the beginning of All for God, And a Gun for All is from Eddie IzzardEddie IzzardEdward John "Eddie" Izzard is a British stand-up comedian and actor. His comedy style takes the form of rambling, whimsical monologue and self-referential pantomime...
. - Both quotes from Patriot, at the beginning and the end respectively, are from the movie Born on the Fourth of JulyBorn on the Fourth of July (film)Born on the Fourth of July is a 1989 American film adaptation of the best selling autobiography of the same name by Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic. Tom Cruise plays Kovic, in a performance that earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Oliver Stone co-wrote the screenplay with Kovic, and also...
. - The quote towards the end of Duality of the Revolutionary is from the movie The GooniesThe GooniesThe Goonies is a 1985 American adventure-comedy film directed by Richard Donner. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus from a story by executive producer Steven Spielberg. The premise surrounds a band of pre-teens who live in the "Goon Docks" neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon hoping to save...