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The Nation of Ulysses

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432:, a band which had been in town recording their own album. Primal Scream then decided to attend NOU's show at the Antenna Club, and then proceeded to invite NOU to record with them in the studio the next day. Nation of Ulysses then recorded five songs with Primal Scream in nine hours, though of course only after a quick errand for some tin foil for the members of Primal Scream to smoke a bit of crack, according to Tim Green. These recordings are known as Memphis Demos, and include the demos of N-Sub Ulysses, 50,000 Watts, Mockingbird, Yeah, and Shakedown. 488:'s Steve Huey described Nation of Ulysses' philosophy as "a relentlessly provocative (and entertaining) jumble of teenage rock 'n' roll rebellion, leftist radicalism, anarchist punk polemics, and abstract intellectual rambling, an off-kilter, almost tongue-in-cheek approach to a 'perpetual 18-year old's' view of America, and life in general." This tongue-in-cheek political attitude was echoed by a spoken-word introduction to the song "The Sound of Jazz to Come", from their 1992 44: 401:, the band began recording a third full-length album, but Steve Kroner separated from the band before recording was completed. The remaining quartet continued to record, but the group eventually dissolved before the record's completion. In 2000, six songs from those sessions, in addition to four new tracks recorded live, were compiled and released posthumously as 464: 497:
Asked about their use of the medium they claimed to counteract – rock 'n' roll – Svenonius declared "Well, it's a camouflage, to allow for movement, revolutionary liberation from the constraints of everyday composure, basically allowing anybody to move in anyway that they want and to lift
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states the band's aim "To dress well, as clothing and fashion, are the only things which we -- the kids -- being utterly disenfranchised, have any control over." Much of the band admitted to not knowing how to play their instruments well, stating "All you need is a concept. There's no reason you
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The band was known for their extremely physical performances, during some of which Svenonius recalls breaking his arm, his leg, and breaking his head open on numerous occasions. Audience members were also hurt during performances. Svenonius described Nation of Ulysses performances as "an
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on drums. Tim Green joined the band late in 1989 as a guitarist and the band became "Nation of Ulysses." Nation of Ulysses disbanded in the autumn of 1992, having failed to complete their third album. After the breakup, Svenonius, Canty, and Gamboa went on to form the short-lived
529: 267:, Steve Kroner left the band. The remaining quartet continued to record, but eventually dissolved in 1992. In a later interview, Svenonius explained the reason for the split: "Nation of Ulysses broke up because the epoch changed with the advent of 540:
called "Ulysses Speaks," which was an extension of their ideology expressed in their music and liner notes. The zines espoused what they referred to as "The Ulysses Aesthetic," which was a mix of 1960s and 1970s radical politics, French
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In addition to their three full-length albums, Nation of Ulysses released two vinyl EPs. The first, a self-titled EP, was the band's first official release, but went out of print when the three tracks from it were included in
478:" and as "a shout of secession." Explaining their intent, Svenonius said "it's basically a new nation underground for the dispossessed youth colony. It's all about smashing the old edifice, the monolith of 444:
influence. The group embodied a rejection of the 1960s and 1970s music and styling by rejecting drug use and advocating that punk youth dress nicely and sensibly. To this end, the liner notes of
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Nation of Ulysses claimed to make weapons, not records. Discussing their second release, Svenonius asserted: "it's like a blueprint for the destruction of the Parent Culture. It's like a
514:, Nation of Ulysses didn't align themselves with a particular political philosophy: "We don't usually address normal political dictums. We aim toward the everyday fixtures of life, like 518:, sound, non-spoken things that are inherently political in nature instead of, like bogus politicians who focus on glossy surface issues which avoid any kind of revolutionary change." 210:, their extremely physical live performances, and their unique take on punk culture and fashion. In total, Nation of Ulysses released three full-length albums, and two vinyl 244:
s first "Sassiest Boy in America." He was interviewed at length in the magazine's October issue, going into some depth about the band's sound and political motivations.
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on drums – and known simply as "Ulysses." In late 1989, Tim Green joined the band as a second guitarist and the band was renamed to "Nation of Ulysses."
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Though relatively short-lived, Nation of Ulysses' influence has been substantial: they have been cited as influences for bands such as
637: 549:. The zine was distributed at live shows as well as made available by writing the band. A total of 9 issues were published. 424:
In 1992, NOU was on tour with Bikini Kill, and when they arrived in Memphis, the found that the promoter for the show hadn't
318: 1065: 583: 510: 446: 383: 249: 203:, a mostly-instrumental trio out of San Francisco, and later Concentrick, a solo project with a focus on ambient music. 1120: 17: 1018: 1135: 804: 494:, in which the band describes themselves as "the seriously unserious, reverently irreverent, amoral moralists." 428:
promoted the show. So, while out on the town flyering the streets and ducking into record stores, NOU ran into
505:... It's an instruction pamphlet for kids on how to destroy their home life, you know, their domestic state." 571: 474:
Nation of Ulysses described themselves not as a rock 'n' roll group in the traditional sense, but "as a
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In 1990, before the band released any official albums, Ian Svenonius was featured as teen-oriented
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During Nation of Ulysses' four years of activity, they released only two full-length albums:
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on vocals and trumpet, Steve Kroner on guitar, Steve Gamboa on bass guitar, and
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on vocals and trumpet, Steve Kroner on guitar, Steve Gamboa on bass guitar, and
283: 279:, a sort of vacuous form. We had to determine our next move and this is it." 272: 239: 192: 618:
The Birth of the Ulysses Aesthetic (the synthesis of speed and transformation)
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The Birth of the Ulysses Aesthetic (the synthesis of speed and transformation)
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The band formed in spring 1988, initially composed of four members –
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Nation of Ulysses' music was noisy and manic, but they also had a strong
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After the band's dissolution, Svenonius went on to form the short-lived
1022: 515: 350: 276: 1093: 1043: 178:, formed in spring 1988 with four members. Originally known as simply 441: 322: 295: 263:, also on Dischord. During the recording of the band's follow-up to 171: 115: 81: 830: 749: 485: 314: 43: 801:"A Kid Who Tells On Another Kid Is a Dead Kid: Nation of Ulysses" 528: 330: 417:, also went out of print when its tracks were later released on 562:, lots of blood cacophonous, and violent, and aggressive." 537: 247:
In 1991 they released their first full-length album,
1021:. Mumblage No. 1 (January 1993). Archived from 498:spirit to a plateau to destroy 'parent culture.' " 413:. The second EP, released in 1992 under the title 630: 275:explosion. We were faced with what's now known as 977: 962:. Interrobang?! No. 1 (1989). Archived from 1102: 1036: 558:extraordinary freak-out kind of thing really 909:"The Nation of Ulysses "Primal Scream" Demos" 659: 435: 772:Danger Mike, Jesse Rockoff (DJ Mark Foley), 767: 765: 713:"What Has Become of the Nation of Ulysses?" 667:"New York Night Train One-Year Anniversary" 182:, the first mark of the group consisted of 953: 951: 705: 680: 42: 1012: 1010: 1008: 1006: 762: 690:. Steady Diet, April 1998. Archived from 527: 462: 948: 532:"Ulysses Speaks" zine, issue No. 4 14: 1103: 1016: 1003: 932: 926: 739: 737: 206:Nation of Ulysses was known for their 1131:Musical groups disestablished in 1992 1116:American post-hardcore musical groups 843: 778:"10-3-06 Ian Svenonius / The Make-Up" 508:Although their first album was named 458: 257:. This was followed a year later by 1111:Musical groups from Washington, D.C. 983: 960:"Nation of Ulysses interview - 1989" 552: 319:The (International) Noise Conspiracy 957: 798: 734: 584:13-Point Program to Destroy America 511:13-Point Program to Destroy America 447:13-Point Program to Destroy America 411:13-Point Program to Destroy America 384:13-Point Program to Destroy America 294:(again with Canty and Gamboa), and 250:13-Point Program to Destroy America 199:. Tim Green went on to help create 24: 1126:Musical groups established in 1988 824: 468:The Birth of the Ulysses Aesthetic 25: 1147: 1066:Official site on Southern Records 1059: 880:"Nation of Ulysses – Discography" 849: 827:"Shape of Punk to Come – Refused" 746:"The Nation of Ulysses Biography" 521: 743: 688:"Steady Diet fanzine – April 98" 638:"Who are the Nation of Ulysses?" 576: 901: 872: 803:. Urban Honking. Archived from 818: 792: 565: 536:Nation of Ulysses published a 13: 1: 1017:Dundas, Zach (January 1993). 933:Morris, Daniel (2006-10-11). 624: 605: 572:Nation of Ulysses discography 376: 854:. eNotes.com. Archived from 669:. New York Night Train. 2006 7: 1071:Official site Dischord page 10: 1152: 569: 436:Musical ideology and style 393:in 1992, both released on 221: 155: 151: 129: 125: 107: 97: 75: 65: 55: 50: 41: 32: 1121:Dischord Records artists 988:. eNotes. Archived from 470:EP by Nation of Ulysses. 1094:Archive of Ulysses zine 1019:"The Nation of Ulysses" 986:"The Make-Up Biography" 935:"THE NATION HAS SPOKEN" 27:American punk rock band 1136:Political music groups 533: 471: 51:Background information 984:Gale, Thomas (2005). 592:Plays Pretty for Baby 531: 491:Plays Pretty for Baby 466: 419:Plays Pretty for Baby 399:Plays Pretty for Baby 390:Plays Pretty for Baby 373:, among many others. 355:Death From Above 1979 343:Rocket From The Crypt 265:Plays Pretty for Baby 260:Plays Pretty for Baby 168:The Nation of Ulysses 35:The Nation of Ulysses 859:(PDF also available) 547:juvenile delinquency 397:. After releasing 788:Radio CPR. 97.5 FM. 451:have to sound like 61:Ulysses (1988–1989) 799:Zac (2005-07-18). 534: 472: 459:Political concepts 308:The Fucking Champs 290:and Steve Gamboa, 201:The Fucking Champs 1085:Nation of Ulysses 1076:Nation of Ulysses 1044:"Ulysses Speaks!" 620:(Dischord) (1992) 614:(Dischord) (1991) 612:Nation of Ulysses 601:(Dischord) (2000) 599:The Embassy Tapes 595:(Dischord) (1992) 587:(Dischord) (1991) 553:Live performances 403:The Embassy Tapes 208:far-left politics 165: 164: 18:Nation of Ulysses 16:(Redirected from 1143: 1054: 1053: 1051: 1050: 1040: 1034: 1033: 1031: 1030: 1014: 1001: 1000: 998: 997: 981: 975: 974: 972: 971: 955: 946: 945: 943: 942: 930: 924: 923: 921: 920: 913:www.chunklet.com 905: 899: 898: 896: 895: 886:. Archived from 884:Southern Records 876: 870: 869: 867: 866: 860: 847: 841: 840: 838: 837: 822: 816: 815: 813: 812: 796: 790: 789: 786:Washington, D.C. 769: 760: 759: 757: 756: 741: 732: 731: 729: 728: 719:. 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Archived from 642:Southern Records 634: 395:Dischord Records 255:Dischord Records 216:Dischord Records 176:Washington, D.C. 170:was an American 132: 100: 70:Washington, D.C. 58: 46: 30: 29: 21: 1151: 1150: 1146: 1145: 1144: 1142: 1141: 1140: 1101: 1100: 1087:discography at 1062: 1057: 1048: 1046: 1042: 1041: 1037: 1028: 1026: 1015: 1004: 995: 993: 982: 978: 969: 967: 956: 949: 940: 938: 931: 927: 918: 916: 907: 906: 902: 893: 891: 878: 877: 873: 864: 862: 858: 848: 844: 835: 833: 825:Butler, Blake. 823: 819: 810: 808: 797: 793: 771: 770: 763: 754: 752: 742: 735: 726: 724: 711: 710: 706: 697: 695: 694:on May 10, 2006 686: 685: 681: 672: 670: 665: 664: 660: 651: 649: 636: 635: 631: 627: 608: 579: 574: 568: 555: 526: 476:political party 461: 438: 379: 363:LCD Soundsystem 359:At The Drive-in 224: 144: 142: 140: 138: 130: 103:1988–1992 98: 56: 37: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1149: 1139: 1138: 1133: 1128: 1123: 1118: 1113: 1097: 1096: 1091: 1082: 1073: 1068: 1061: 1060:External links 1058: 1056: 1055: 1035: 1002: 976: 947: 925: 900: 871: 842: 817: 791: 776:(2006-10-30). 761: 733: 704: 679: 658: 628: 626: 623: 622: 621: 615: 607: 604: 603: 602: 596: 588: 578: 575: 570:Main article: 567: 564: 554: 551: 545:writings, and 525: 523:Ulysses Speaks 520: 460: 457: 437: 434: 378: 375: 284:Cupid Car Club 240:Sassy Magazine 223: 220: 193:Cupid Car Club 163: 162: 157: 153: 152: 149: 148: 133: 127: 126: 123: 122: 109: 105: 104: 101: 95: 94: 93: 92: 77: 73: 72: 67: 63: 62: 59: 53: 52: 48: 47: 39: 38: 33: 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1148: 1137: 1134: 1132: 1129: 1127: 1124: 1122: 1119: 1117: 1114: 1112: 1109: 1108: 1106: 1099: 1095: 1092: 1090: 1086: 1083: 1081: 1077: 1074: 1072: 1069: 1067: 1064: 1063: 1045: 1039: 1025:on 2005-10-27 1024: 1020: 1013: 1011: 1009: 1007: 992:on 2006-11-15 991: 987: 980: 966:on 2012-02-17 965: 961: 954: 952: 936: 929: 914: 910: 904: 890:on 2012-07-27 889: 885: 881: 875: 861:on 2006-11-15 857: 853: 852:"The Make-Up" 850:Allen, Ryan. 846: 832: 828: 821: 807:on 2007-06-09 806: 802: 795: 787: 783: 779: 775: 774:Ian Svenonius 768: 766: 751: 747: 744:Huey, Steve. 740: 738: 723:on 2008-06-08 722: 718: 714: 708: 693: 689: 683: 668: 662: 648:on 2008-06-08 647: 643: 639: 633: 629: 619: 616: 613: 610: 609: 600: 597: 594: 593: 589: 586: 585: 581: 580: 577:Studio albums 573: 563: 561: 550: 548: 544: 539: 530: 524: 519: 517: 513: 512: 506: 504: 499: 495: 493: 492: 487: 483: 481: 480:rock and roll 477: 469: 465: 456: 454: 449: 448: 443: 433: 431: 430:Primal Scream 427: 422: 420: 416: 412: 406: 404: 400: 396: 392: 391: 386: 385: 374: 372: 368: 364: 360: 356: 352: 348: 347:Antioch Arrow 344: 340: 336: 332: 328: 324: 320: 316: 311: 309: 305: 301: 297: 293: 289: 285: 280: 278: 274: 270: 269:digital music 266: 262: 261: 256: 252: 251: 245: 243: 241: 235: 233: 229: 228:Ian Svenonius 219: 217: 213: 209: 204: 202: 198: 194: 189: 185: 184:Ian Svenonius 181: 177: 173: 169: 161: 160:Official site 158: 154: 150: 147: 137: 136:Ian Svenonius 134: 128: 124: 121: 117: 113: 110: 106: 102: 96: 91: 90:hardcore punk 87: 86:post-hardcore 83: 80: 79: 78: 74: 71: 68: 64: 60: 57:Also known as 54: 49: 45: 40: 36: 31: 19: 1098: 1047:. 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Index

Nation of Ulysses

Washington, D.C.
Punk rock
post-hardcore
hardcore punk
Dischord
K Records
Southern
Ian Svenonius
James Canty
Official site
punk rock
Washington, D.C.
Ian Svenonius
James Canty
Cupid Car Club
The Make-Up
The Fucking Champs
far-left politics
EPs
Dischord Records
Ian Svenonius
James Canty
Sassy Magazine
13-Point Program to Destroy America
Dischord Records
Plays Pretty for Baby
digital music
Nirvana

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