Agent 86
| Agent 86 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| origin | Arcata (United States) |
| Genre (s) | Hardcore , ska-punk , punk-rock |
| founding | 1981 |
| resolution | 2019 |
| Founding members | |
Vocals, guitar |
Mike Briggs († 2019) |
bass |
Mike Wilson (1981) |
Drums |
Bill Marshall Scott (1981–1985) |
| Last occupation | |
Vocals, guitar |
Mike Briggs |
guitar |
Michael Loeks |
bass |
"Ms. B Haven " (2014-2019) |
Drums |
Jason |
| former members | |
guitar |
Chris (1981-) |
bass |
Scott (1981-1985) |
bass |
Bill Arkfeld (1985–1990) |
bass |
Michelle Orgill (1990-approx. 1995) |
bass |
Chris Piss (2009) |
bass |
Ken McQueen (2014) |
Drums |
Eric Strand (1985-1986) |
Drums |
Andrew Buffington (1986-1990) |
Drums |
Rob Smith (1990-1991) |
Drums |
Billy Ropple (1991) |
Drums |
Wes Hambright (1991) |
Drums |
Robert Perry (1991-1992) |
Drums |
Karl Fowler (approx. 1995) |
Drums |
Kasha (2009) |
Agent 86 was an American hardcore and punk band. The only constant member since it was founded in 1981 was singer and guitarist Mike Briggs. The band was one of the oldest active bands of the genre in the United States until it broke up.
history
Agent 86 was founded in Arcata , northern California in 1981 ; all members at the time were students at Humboldt State University . The band name corresponds to the code name of the agent Maxwell Smart in the US television series Mini-Max , of which singer Briggs was a big fan. The 1986 EP Apartheid American Style was produced by Joe “Shithead” Keithley of the Canadian hardcore band DOA and released on the band's own label Arcatones. Drummer Eric Strand played for Victims Family after agent 86 left . In the early 1990s the band undertook two European tours, including 1992 with the US band Jawbreaker and the Norwegian band Punishment Park through Belgium, France, Italy, Norway and war-torn Yugoslavia . In Belgium the band played at the first Ieperfest .
Following the financially disastrous 1992 tour, Mike Briggs and his then wife, bassist Michelle Orgill, moved to Eugene , later to Washington , Seattle and, in 2008, to Las Vegas . Briggs revived Agent 86 at his place of residence with changing musicians, bringing the band to around 50 former members; Between 2008 and 2014 alone, the band employed 14 drummers. In order to curb the frequent changes, bassist “Ms. B Haven “, Briggs' new wife, from bass to drums. Briggs' daughter London, who was born around 2006, has occasionally been a background singer for the band since at least 2014.
In the 2010s, Mike Briggs developed colon cancer. In 2011 the band completed a tour of the USA. In February 2018, Briggs had a leg amputated as part of diabetes. The band continued to play concerts regularly until Briggs succumbed to cancer in April 2019.
style
The music journalist Steven Blush describes the band's early EPs as "Rasta-Core" with regard to woven-in elements of reggae and ska . Green Day identify Agent 86 as one of their early influences. Mike Briggs describes his band's music as a mixture of punk rock and melodic hardcore . The lyrics of the band deal primarily with everyday stories and current political events.
Discography
- 1983: Protect the Earth ( EP , Counterpeace Records)
- 1985: Scary Action (EP, Arcatones)
- 1986: Apartheid American Style (EP, Arcatones)
- 1990: Vietnam Generation (EP, New Wave Records)
- 1992: Just Say No (New Wave Records)
- 1994: Split EP with Urban Navahos (Explicit Sounds)
- 2009: Moslems Are the New Jews and Bush Is the New Hitler (District Records)
- 2014: Jurassic Punk (Rastacore Records)
Compilation Contributions
Only mentioned if not included on regular audio carriers.
- 2004: Punks And Pints - Seattle's Best Punk (Sliver Records, Track Rally 'Round The Flag )
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d PunkGlobe.com: PunkrPrincess Asks Mike of Agent 86 all! Retrieved October 20, 2018 .
- ↑ Vort'n Vis in the 90s: 92-09-19 Human Lethargy - Embittered - Slum Gang - Exhauster - Jawbreaker - Agent 86 - Youth Brigade - Decadence Within. Retrieved October 16, 2018 .
- ↑ Vor'n Vis in the 90s: 92-09-05 & 06 * 1st 'Ieperfest'? Retrieved October 16, 2018 .
- ↑ Vort'n Vis in the 90s: 92-09-06 Abolition - Nations On Fire - Strength Of The Will - Inner Circle - Agent 86 - Punishment Park. Retrieved October 16, 2018 .
- ↑ PunksinVegas.com: Agent 86 Spring Break tour. Retrieved August 14, 2018 .
- ↑ Facebook post of February 4, 2018. Accessed August 14, 2018 .
- ↑ LasVegasWeekly.com: Local Music Notes: Jerk! Makes Moves, A Mike Briggs Memorial Show And More. Retrieved August 28, 2020 .
- ↑ Steven Blush: American Hardcore. A tribal history . 2nd Edition. Feral House, Port Townsend 2010, ISBN 978-0-922915-71-2 , pp. 131 .