NA's brand of hardcore was savage and nihilistic, exuding frustration, alienation and rage. This was personified in the band's vocalist John Brannon, an intimidating and intense young man with a shaved head, piercing stare and belligerent attitude. His vocal style and stage presence set the standard for those that followed. NA's musical style was based on Detroit proto-punk icons The Stooges, British punk rock (especially Discharge) and Oi! music (Blitz, 4-Skins, et al.), although from the start their sound and demeanor were considerably more aggressive and brutal than that of their influences.
Negative Approach was formed in August 1981 by John Brannon and Pete Zelewski, supposedly after seeing a Black Flag/Necros show. The first NA lineup consisted of Brannon on vocals, Rob McCullough on guitar, Pete Zelewski on bass and Zuheir on drums. Not long after, Zelewski left the band to form The Allied and was replaced by Rob McCullough's brother Graham. Zuheir was later replaced by Chris "O.P." Moore. The lineup of Brannon/McCullough/McCullough/Moore would remain unchanged until NA disbanded.
NA's first gig was in the basement of Necros drummer Todd Swalla's mother's home. Soon after, they recorded a demo, and followed that up with an appearance on the Process of Elimination compilation 7” EP, released on Meatmen frontman Tesco Vee's fledgling Touch & Go label, named after his fanzine of the same name. The comp also featured the Necros and The Meatmen, among others. NA, the Necros and the Meatmen then embarked on the Process of Elimination tour. Though this “tour” consisted of a mere three shows (Boston, New York City and Washington, DC), it is cited as being a key event in the early spread of hardcore.
The first proper Negative Approach studio release came in 1982 with their self-titled 7” EP, also on Touch & Go. It contained now-legendary songs such as “Can't Tell No One,” “Ready To Fight” and “Nothing,” which is considered by many to be the quintessential NA song. The sound quality of the recording is average, but the performances themselves are powerful, and the record is now held in nearly universal high regard by hardcore fans.
The following year saw the release of the Tied Down LP, also venerated as a hardcore classic. While it mostly contains more of the same ultra-fast, angry music as the 7”, the band also branched out somewhat and included a plodding dirge (“Evacuate”) and a (relatively) mid-tempo rocker (“Dead Stop”) on the album.
The classic line-up fell apart in 1983 during their tour in support of Tied Down, playing their last show in Memphis.
Afterwards, Brannon assembled a new line-up with members Kelly Dermody (guitar), Dave (bass) and Mike (drums). This version of Negative Approach played a series of live shows throughout 1984 which featured some new songs, such as "Obsession," "Tunnel Vision," "Kiss Me Kill Me" and a cover of "I Got A Right" by the Stooges. This line-up can be heard on the Live at the Newtown Theater bootleg 7" and some live tracks recorded at Boston's Paradise club that appear on the Total Recall discography CD.
It was announced in May 2006 that Brannon and Moore would play a Negative Approach reunion show, of sorts, for Touch & Go's 25th Anniversary show on September 9, 2006, as well as two later shows in the UK - London on December 7 and at All Tomorrow's Parties on December 10. Despite repeated efforts by Rob and Graham McCulloch to be a part of the reunion and have the classic NA lineup play, John refused; it was instead announced that Harold Richardson (of Brannon's current band Easy Action) and Ron Sakowski (formerly of Easy Action, Laughing Hyenas, and Necros) would complete the lineup. Rob and Graham maintain that the appearance shouldn't be labeled as Negative Approach without the classic NA lineup. The whole affair has generated controversy, and there is little agreement as to who is in the right and for what reasons.
Negative Approach closed out the No Fun Fest in Brooklyn, NY on May 20, 2007.
Ready to Fight
Negative Approach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just cause you don't like who and what we want to be
Who are you to say what's wrong what's right
If it's what it takes, we're ready to fight
Ready to fight, ready to fight,
Ready to fight, fight, fight, fight, fight
The lyrics to Negative Approach's song "Ready to Fight" speak to a sense of rebellion and defiance. The band is essentially stating that they will not tolerate anyone trying to tell them who they should be or what they should believe in. This theme of non-conformity is highlighted in the line "Just cause you don't like who and what we want to be". The band is not interested in adhering to any societal norms or standards, but rather they want to be free to express themselves however they see fit.
The lyrics also speak to a sense of readiness for confrontation. The band states that they are "ready to fight" if it's what it takes. This sentiment suggests that the band is not afraid of conflict and is willing to defend their beliefs at any cost. The repetition of the phrase "ready to fight" only reinforces this idea.
Overall, the lyrics to "Ready to Fight" can be seen as a call to arms for those who feel marginalized or oppressed. The song encourages listeners to stand up for themselves and fight for what they believe in, no matter the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
We won't take any shit and we're not about to leave
We refuse to tolerate mistreatment and won't back down
Just cause you don't like who and what we want to be
Your disapproval of our choices and identity is irrelevant
Who are you to say what's wrong what's right
Your opinion on morality holds no authority over us
If it's what it takes, we're ready to fight
We're willing to defend ourselves fiercely against any opposition
Ready to fight, ready to fight,
Emphasizing our determination and readiness for conflict
Ready to fight, fight, fight, fight, fight
Reinforcing our resolute attitude towards standing up for ourselves
Contributed by Eli H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bxebxe1986
4 people are not ready to fight
@GUIZMO190207
:(
@Dethrax
Welp now it's 12
@dennychandra2862
We won't take any shit and we're not about to leave
Just cause you don't like who and what we want to be
Who are you to say what's wrong what's right
If it's what it takes, we're ready to fight
Ready to fight, ready to fight
Ready to fight, fight, fight, fight, fight
@originalorigins3333
China's theme song right about now! Also, BRAZIL... lesssssgoooooo!
@1331zim
1.25x playback speed.
@bigwomp932
They'd call it powerviolence if it came out in 1992 instead of 1982.
@xdeadbeatboi6666x
This song pumped up my hatred
@Iliekchoocolatye
Negative approach will do that. Another one that does it for me is "Sick of talk"
@sterlingskins2204
Seen them in 83' Detroit Punk!