Negative Approach

Detroit’s Negative Approach were the loudest, meanest, hardest-playing band in the early years of hardcore punk. The classic lineup of ungodly howler John Brannon, guitarist Rob McCulloch, bass player Graham McCulloch and drummer Chris Moore formed in 1981 and quickly forged a violently hammering attack inspired by The Stooges’ blitzing nihilism and Discharge’s distortion-soaked fury. The unremitting alienation coursing through temper-tantrum anthems like “Nothing” and “Hypocrite” directly reflected a brutal Detroit hardcore scene mired in industrial decay and vicious showdowns between antiracist punks and neofascist skinheads. After releasing a self-titled EP and the full-length Tied Down on Touch and Go Records, Negative Approach crashed and burned by 1984. While Brannon would go on to front noise-rock pioneers Laughing Hyenas (1985-95), as well as the equally scum-caked Easy Action, Negative Approach’s stature grew to mythical proportions. This prompted Brannon to create a new version of the outfit in 2006. Anchored by musicians from Brannon’s other projects, the rebooted band have since played a smattering of festivals and concerts for young fans who revere NA as hardcore elite right up there with Black Flag and Minor Threat.