Although short-lived, lasting only from 1988 to 1992, the Nation of Ulysses was a vitally important band in the evolution of both the Dischord Records label and hardcore punk in general. Rooted in the Washington, DC, hardcore scene but also familiar with the likes of the MC5, the Stooges, and Sun Ra, Nation of Ulysses debuted with the wide-ranging 1990 EP THE SOUND OF YOUNG AMERICA, followed by 1991's 13-POINT PLAN TO DESTROY AMERICA and 1992's ironically titled PLAYS PRETTY FOR BABY. The band then split, with singer Ian Svenonius, bassist Steve Gamboa, and drummer James Canty immediately forming the Make-Up.