A Global Threat
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A Global Threat is a Boston-based Streetpunk band begun in 1997. They have released four full-length LPs as well as many 7" EPs and have toured extensively throughout the United States.
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[edit] History 1997-2000
Originally formed in Maine in 1997, the band relocated to Boston, Massachusetts in 1998, where it has been based ever since. The original band members were Bryan Lothian, Brett Threat, Westie, and Tubby Tim. In 1998 the band recorded and self-released their first EP, “The Kids Will Revolt Against All Authority” on Crack Rock Records. Soon after, Mike Graves and Pete Curtis joined the band (on drums and guitar respectively) and AGT began playing live shows in Boston and New York. During this period, the band met Mark Unseen (a member of Boston punk group The Unseen), who would become a major supporter of the band before later joining it himself. Mark re-released the “Kids...” EP on his ADD Records label in late 1998. Subsequently, Mark became a member of AGT in 1999, when, during a weekend of gigs in New York, the band's van broke down and Mark offered them transportation on the condition that he be allowed to join the band. The group accepted and Mark took up dual vocal duties, with both he and founding member Bryan singing during live shows.
In 1999 they released the “What the Fuck Will Change?” EP as well as a split 7" EP with Broken. Both these releases saw the band progressing towards the more frantic and relentless streetpunk style for which they would later become well-known. "What the Fuck Will Change?" was later re-released as the band's first full length LP on Step-1 Music, including new material as well as re-recorded songs from "The Kids..." EP. During this time Johnny joined the band on rhythm guitar and AGT embarked on a tour of the U.S. East Coast and South. Unfortunately, the band was involved in a three-car accident in Austin, Texas, in which their van was rumored to have been driven into a lake, forcing them to cancel the remaining dates of the tour. 1999 also saw the release of the "Who's to Blame?" split 7" EP with The End on Anarchist Records.
Shortly thereafter, AGT secured a record deal with GMM records, which would release the "Until we Die" LP (a version of which was also initially released on Rodent Popsicle Records), which the band had recorded at the same time as the "What the Fuck Will Change?" material. That winter, after a weekend of shows, original member Brett Threat was either fired from or quit the band (which, remains unclear), and would subsequently move back to Maine and form the punk band USA Waste. The band then played a few shows with Johnny on bass, before he too quit the band to form USA Waste with Brett. AGT then recruited long-time friend and previous musical collaborator Gabe Crate (a.k.a Gabe Asturd) to join the group on bass. In November, Mark Unseen played his last show with AGT, having decided that being in two bands was too much. Mark Unseen still occasionally joins the band at live shows to resume secondary vocalist duties.
[edit] History 2000-Present
In 2000, the band set out on an East Coast tour with the short-lived Boston-based hardcore band The Statistics. However, The Statistics left the tour after only two shows, leaving AGT to finish the remaining dates on their own. The band also recorded the “In The Red” EP this year, and “Until We Die” was released on GMM Records. The band also set out on its first national tour with Awkward Thought. This tour was also joined, at points, by The Krays, Truents, Toxic Narcotic, and The Flatliners. Shortly after the tour, Gabe was either fired from or quit the band in a comparably ambiguous episode to that involving original bassist Brett Threat's leaving the band two years earlier (one explanation is that AGT simply began playing shows without Gabe, neglecting to inform him that he was no longer in the band). In 2001, AGT carried on as a three-piece with Pete on bass, Mike on drums, and Bryan on guitar and vocals, playing numerous shows in Massachusetts and New York City. The band also recorded a split 7" with Toxic Narcotic before touring with The Casualties. For this tour, John Curran joined the band as the new bassist and Pete returned to guitar. In December, AGT recorded their 3rd full-length LP “Here We Are,” which was released on Punkcore Records. During this time, Bryan began playing guitar as Pete Curtis prepared to leave the band and move to L.A. Around this time, Pete Curtis and former member Gabe Crate, coincidentally also about to leave the Boston area, became involved in a violent altercation with one another at a party and decided to punch each other in the face for a while, allegedly inspiring the lyrics for a future bonus track entitled "Dude, Fuck," written by Pete about Gabe's shortcomings.
In 2002 Pete played his “last show” with the band before leaving for L.A., apparently becoming emotionally overwhelmed during the show and openly weeping. “What the Fuck Will Change?” was also re-released this year on Punkcore Records. 2002 also saw the band embark on another U.S. tour with The Casualties, as well as a U.S. tour with Defiance, for which Pete rejoined the band. The band also recorded the "Earache/Pass The Time" EP, released that year on Rodent Popsicle Records.
In 2003, the band toured the West Coast with Josiah Steinbrick of Heavens and F-Minus and formerly The Statistics playing guitar. They also toured the East Coast with Clit 45, with Pete once again rejoining the band on guitar. For the remainder of the year, AGT would continue to relentlessly tour the U.S.
In 2006 the band recorded and released their latest full-length album entitled "Where the Sun Never Sets" on BYO Records. Many consider this album to be the bands most musically complex and innovative achievement, while also maintaining the original political and musical aggressiveness for which the band has always been known and respected.
A Global Threat completed its last U.S. tour, with Strike Anywhere, Bane, and This is Hell on October 30th 2006 and is currently touring Canada with the band Wednesday Night Heroes.
[edit] Band members
A Global Threat is somewhat notorius for its constantly changing line-up and numerous incarnations, with singer Bryan being the only remaining founding member. The following is a partial list of former and current members:
- Bryan Lothian: vocals, guitar (Founding Member, 1997-Present)
- Brett Threat: bass (Founding Member, 1997-1999)
- Westie (Founding Member)
- Tubby Tim (Founding Member)
- Mike Graves: drums (1998-Present)
- Pete Curtis: guitar, sometimes bass (1998-2003)
- Johnny: rhythm guitar, briefly bass (1999)
- Mark Unseen: vocals (1998-1999)
- Gabe Crate: bass (1999-2000)
- John Curran: bass (2000-Present)
