Pg.99 was a hardcore band from Sterling, Virginia, located in the outskirts… Read Full Bio ↴Pg.99 was a hardcore band from Sterling, Virginia, located in the outskirts of Washington D.C. They are considered one of the pioneers of screamo. "We were just a group of friends who all wanted to play music and try to make our lives more incredible". They formed as a 6-piece in the Winter of 1998, and later became an 8-piece as their consistent touring line-up. But at their most extreme, they would have up to 13 members on stage, from extra vocalists to kazoo players. Their live shows were known for their extreme intensity, and they would frequently have "themed" shows, where everyone would dress up in togas, hit each other with pool noodles, crowd surf with boogie boards, etc. They went on several full US tours over their five-year existence. They released 11 records out on many different labels, including Reptilian, Level-Plane, Robodog, Happy Couples Never Last, Robotic Empire and Magic Bullet.

After several US tours, a European tour, and numerous releases, they disbanded in May 2003. Before officially breaking up, Pg.99 booked Steve Albini of Shellac and Big Black as their producer for a follow-up to Document #8. Guitarist Mike Taylor cited struggles with maintaining a large line-up due to schedule conflicts, and issues with drinking as major reasons for why Pg. 99 broke up. Taylor also said, "It was like a dysfunctional family where a group of people needed to give each other some space and clarity."

Two releases completed before the group's break up have yet to see light: a DVD compiling various live footage, and a split 10" with City of Caterpillar containing both bands' last songs recorded.

Four of the members would go on to perform in Pygmy Lush.

Some of their members also played in City of Caterpillar, an unorthodox gloomy style of screamo / post-hardcore, and Mannequin, a grunge-influence punk rock band.

After the demise of both pg.99 & City of Caterpillar in 2003, Malady was formed featuring members of both bands. Several members of pg.99 currently play in the bands Haram and Pygmy Lush.

Band members:

Chris Taylor - vocals / (most) artwork (document 1 - 13)
Blake Midgette - vocals (document 1 -13)

Mike Taylor - guitar (document 1 - 13)
George Crum - guitar (documents 1 - 9, 12 - 13)
Mike Casto - guitar (document 3 - 10)
Jonathan Moore - guitar guitar (document 12 - 13)

Brandon Evans - bass / vocals / (occasional) artwork (document 7 - 13)
Kevin Longendyke - bass (document 9, 12, 13), guitar (document 10)
TL Smoot - bass (document 1 - 4)
Cory Stevenson - bass (document 5 - 8)
Mike Widman - bass (document 10)

Jonny Ward - drums / percussion (document 1 - 13)

Jeff - noise (document 3 - 5)

Calm Song
Pg.99 Lyrics

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I saw a plane spiraling toward a city I knew was already dead. so I watched the flames rip the screams out of those heads, boiling and bubbling the way I used to imagine. a volcano bleeding in streams through empty houses until everyone was still and turned all life into stone, where statues were eventually covered by snow

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pg.99's song Calm Song paint a vivid picture of destruction and devastation. The opening line sets the scene for the rest of the song, with the singer describing the sight of a plane spiraling towards a city that they know is already dead. The image is powerful, suggesting that the city has already been destroyed, and that the plane is either crashing or perhaps dropping a bomb on what remains. The next line is equally stark, with the singer describing how they watched as the flames consumed the city, ripping the screams out of the heads of the people who were still there. The word "ripping" suggests a violent and painful process, while "screams" creates a sense of chaos and panic.

The following lines are equally graphic, with the singer imagining the city as a volcano bleeding in streams through empty houses. The use of the word "bleeding" is particularly striking, suggesting that the destruction is almost like a wound that won't stop bleeding. The line "until everyone was still and turned all life into stone" is also powerful, suggesting that the destruction has been so complete that there is nothing left but statues, frozen in time. Finally, the line "where statues were eventually covered by snow" creates a sense of finality, suggesting that this once-thriving city is now nothing but a distant memory, buried beneath the snow.

Overall, these lyrics are a powerful meditation on the destructive power of war and violence. The images are graphic and unsettling, but they drive home a powerful message about the horrors of conflict.

Line by Line Meaning

I saw a plane spiraling toward a city I knew was already dead.
I witnessed an airplane spiraling down towards a city that was already destroyed.

So I watched the flames rip the screams out of those heads, boiling and bubbling the way I used to imagine.
I stood and observed as the flames consumed everything and produced agonizing screams, which perfectly aligned with the scenes I had imagined before in my mind.

A volcano bleeding in streams through empty houses until everyone was still and turned all life into stone, where statues were eventually covered by snow.
It looked like a volcano eruption that caused lava to gush through deserted homes, until all those living beings ultimately became motionless, turning into lifeless statues, which were slowly covered by snow over time.

Contributed by Christopher T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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