Officer Negative
Officer Negative is a Christian punk band from Ventura. Formed in 1995 and initially disbanded in 2000, the band released two albums and an EP on Screaming Giant Records. They played old-school punk, and though their music never appeared in a polished form, it was said to "never hold back the passion."[1] Following a period of reformation they reappeared as The Death Campaign and toured until 2004.
Officer Negative | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ventura |
| Genres | Punk, Christian punk, metalcore (later) |
| Years active | 1995–2004, 2024-present |
| Labels | Screaming Giant, Something Sacred, Solid State |
| Past members | Chad Wiggins Michael Dragon Chris Sahagun Josh Handley-(Zippy Josh) Taylor Allender Casey Wisenbaker Daniel Osborn Todd Wisenbaker Joey Buli Roger Bell Mark Popovich Andi Lockwood Amber Reeves |
| Website | officernegative |
Background
Their first album, Dead to the World (1997) was described as "angry punk" and the band was likened to Rancid or Black Flag.[2]
Their 1999 release Zombie Nation was mired in difficulties with their label. Its sound deviated from the band's hoped sound by introducing pop sensibilities – to the point where its members would call it "not a true representation of the band."[3] Also, several tracks were cut from the release; two were released the next year as a split EP with Lugnut. The third, called "Failure to Submit", was described by Chad Wiggins "by far, one of the best songs we have ever written."[3] It was this release which garnered the most attention for the band. The release included the album Live at the Roxy. Together, with the future of the band uncertain at best, HM Magazine referred to this release as the band's "swan song."[1]
In late 1999 the departure of bassist Casey Wisenbaker, along with the band's issues with Zombie lead to the dissolution of the band.[4] With the return of Wisenbaker in 2000, the band reformed with new members taking guitar and drums. Vocalist Chad Wiggins saw the reformation of the band as an opportunity to refocus the band on ministry.[5] With this lineup they toured until about 2002, releasing an EP and an album. Their 2002 release Control is an Illusion had a sound based more on metal than punk.[6]
The band rebranded themselves as The Death Campaign, eventually signing to Solid State Records. In the summer of 2003, the band asked lead vocalist Chad Wiggins to leave, intending for Casey Wisenbaker to take vocals, and hiring bass player, Mark Popovich, from an Officer Negative side project, the death metal band, Akeldama.[7] Within three months of Wiggins departure the band broke up. However, during this short period they had created an album, which was eventually released as Officer Negative Presents The Death Campaign in 2004.
Before the release of Zombie Nation, guitarist Josh Handley formed Zippy Josh and the Rag Tag Band, and released one album, Stupidville' in 1999. The album was essentially praise and worship music, and described as "the Sex Pistols meet Bob Dylan."[8] Allender and Wisenbaker joined a hardcore band called Hit the Deck, while Wisenbaker, Osborn and Buli continued to work with Akeldama.[7] Michael Dragon briefly pursued a career in professional skateboarding.[4]
Discography
- 1997: Dead to the World (Screaming Giant)
- 1999: Zombie Nation
- 1999: Live
- 1999: Live at the Roxy
- 2000: Split EP (with The Combat Junkies)
- 2000: Split EP (with Lugnut)
- 2002: Control is an Illusion (Something Sacred)
- 2004: Officer Negative Presents the Death Campaign (Solid State)
Members
Final line-up
- Casey Wisenbaker – bass guitar (1998–2003), vocals (2003–2004)
- Taylor Allender – guitar (2000–2004)
- Todd Wisenbaker – guitar (2000–2004)
- Joey Buli – guitar (2000–2004)
- Roger Bell – keyboard (2000–2004)
- Mark Popovich – bass guitar (2003–2004)
- Chris Zimmerman – drums (2003–2004)
Former members
- Josh Handley – guitar (1995–1999)
- Chad Wiggins – vocals (1995–2003)
- Michael Dragon – drums (1997–2000)
- Daniel Osborn – drums (2000–2003)
- Timeline
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id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:EP value:gray(0.55) legend:Other_release id:bars value:gray(0.95)
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom BackgroundColors=bars:bars ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1995 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1996
LineData =
layer:back at:09/01/1997 color:Studio at:01/01/1999 color:Studio at:09/01/1999 color:EP at:09/01/2000 color:EP at:12/01/2000 color:EP at:01/01/2002 color:Studio at:01/01/2004 color:Studio
BarData =
bar:Chad text:"Chad Wiggins" bar:Casey text:"Casey Wisenbaker" bar:Mark text:"Mark Popovich" bar:Josh text:"Josh Handley" bar:Taylor text:"Taylor Allender" bar:Todd text:"Todd Wisenbaker" bar:Joey text:"Joey Buli" bar:Roger text:"Roger Bell" bar:Mike text:"Michael Dragon" bar:Dan text:"Daniel Osborn" bar:Chris text:"Chris Zimmerman"
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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Chad from:01/01/1995 till:12/01/1999 color:Vocals bar:Chad from:06/01/2000 till:01/01/2003 color:Vocals bar:Casey from:01/01/1998 till:12/01/1999 color:Bass bar:Casey from:01/01/2003 till:end color:Vocals bar:Mark from:01/01/2003 till:end color:Bass bar:Josh from:01/01/1995 till:12/01/1999 color:Guitar bar:Taylor from:06/01/2000 till:end color:end color:Guitar bar:Joey from:06/01/2000 till:end color:Guitar bar:Todd from:06/01/2000 till:end color:Guitar bar:Roger from:06/01/2000 till:end color:Keys bar:Mike from:01/01/1997 till:12/01/1999 color:Drums bar:Dan from:06/01/2000 till:01/01/2003 color:Drums bar:Chris from:01/02/2003 till:end color:Drums
</timeline>
References
- ^ 1.0 1.1 Van Pelt, Doug (July–August 1999). "Reviews / Officer Negative Zombie Nation / Live at the Roxy". HM Magazine (80): 70–71. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Officer Negative". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 646. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- ^ 3.0 3.1 Vasey, Karen (July–August 1999). "officer negative's last stand". HM Magazine (80): 55. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ 4.0 4.1 Chad Wiggins. "Officer Negative Biography". Retrieved October 22, 2008.
- ^ Campbell, Earl (January–February 2001). "Officer Negative". HM Magazine (87): 16. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ (The) Kern County Kid (July–August 2002). "Reviews / Control is an Illusion". HM Magazine (96): 66. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ 7.0 7.1 "The Death Campaign". HM Magazine (107): 12. May–June 2004. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Zippy Josh and the Rag Tag Band". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. pp. 1066. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.