Modern Life Is War is an American
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier pu ...
band formed in
Marshalltown,
Iowa
Iowa () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wiscon ...
in 2002. During Modern Life Is War's six-year original run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7" EP. Despite a growing profile on the underground hardcore circuit, and garnering critical acclaim from numerous musical outlets, Modern Life Is War announced its dissolution in early 2008; however, the band reunited in 2012.
History
Modern Life Is War's self-titled 7-inch E.P. was released through Lifeline Records in early 2002. Its two subsequent studio albums, 2003's ''
My Love. My Way.
''My Love. My Way.'' is an album by Iowa hardcore quintet Modern Life is War. The album was originally released via Martyr Records; Deathwish Inc. now handles all Modern Life Is War reissues. The reissued and remastered version of ''My Love. M ...
'' and 2005's ''
Witness
In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...
'' are now available through the
Deathwish Inc. record label, which is owned and operated by
Converge singer
Jacob Bannon.
In mid-2005, after the release of ''Witness'', guitarist Matt Hoffman and bassist Chris Honeck left the band. They were replaced by Sjarm 13 and Tim Churchman, respectively. On February 9, 2007, M.L.I.W. announced that it had inked a record deal with
Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is an independent record label based in Albany, New York. It was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo, singer for the punk bands Youth of Today, Shelter, and Better Than a Thousand.
The label originally existed sole ...
. The band's third full-length album, ''
Midnight in America'', was released on August 21, 2007 to positive reviews.
On February 19, 2008, the band announced on its Myspace page that it would be breaking up, and that it was planning one final American tour, starting March 29 in
Milwaukee
Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...
,
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
, and reconvening on April 26 in the band's hometown of Marshalltown. In a separate interview conducted several weeks before the tour, the band members discussed their hopes and achievements in playing together for the last six years:
"I hope that we have made some people feel less alone. I hope we have motivated people to think for themselves; to be themselves and to take action. Punk rock changed our lives, and I hope that we as a band contributed something to keep the whole thing going. We are leaving soon, but the future is unwritten..."
In September 2012, the original lineup reunited and wrote an album in John Eich's basement. Modern Life Is War formally announced its reunion in April 2013 and the intent to record and release the new album through Deathwish by September 2013. The band did not expect to heavily tour during the reunion; as of April 2013, Modern Life Is War was only booked to headline This Is Hardcore Festival and a record release show. Retrospectively, Modern Life Is War wished they had not broken up, but instead scaled back their efforts so they could do it, "without so much stress and life crushing commitment." The band released its fourth studio album ''
Fever Hunting'' on September 9, 2013 through Deathwish, which was produced by
Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou (born February 1, 1974) is an American musician and producer based in Massachusetts, best known as the guitarist for hardcore punk band Converge and for his prolific recording and production work at his own GodCity Studio.
Early an ...
of
Converge. Modern Life Is War embarked on a six-date tour in celebration of the new album in October 2013.
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Modern Life is War reissued a remastered version of their 2005 album ''Witness'' with updated packaging and liner notes on June 2, 2015, followed by a nine-date North American tour.
Members
Current
* Jeffrey Eaton –
vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or witho ...
* John Paul Eich –
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected string ...
* Bo Becker – guitar
* Chris Honeck –
bass
Bass or Basses may refer to:
Fish
* Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species
Music
* Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range:
** Bass (instrument), including:
** Acoustic bass gu ...
* Luke Rauch –
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...
Former
* Sjarm 13 (Harm Haverman) – guitar
* Tim Churchman – bass
* Brad Highnam – bass
* Matt Hoffman - guitar
* Tyler Oleson –
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...
Discography
Studio albums
* ''
My Love. My Way.
''My Love. My Way.'' is an album by Iowa hardcore quintet Modern Life is War. The album was originally released via Martyr Records; Deathwish Inc. now handles all Modern Life Is War reissues. The reissued and remastered version of ''My Love. M ...
'' (2003)
* ''
Witness
In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...
'' (2005)
* ''
Midnight in America'' (2007)
* ''
Fever Hunting'' (2013)
EPs
* ''
Modern Life Is War'' (2002)
* ''
Tribulation Work Songs vol 1'' (2018)
* ''Tribulation Work Songs vol 2'' (2018)
*'' Tribulation Work Songs Vol 3'' (2021)
Singles
* "
Stagger Lee
"Stagger Lee", also known as "Stagolee" and other variants, is a popular American folk song about the murder of Billy Lyons by "Stag" Lee Shelton, in St. Louis, Missouri, at Christmas 1895. The song was first published in 1911 and first recorde ...
" (2007)
Music videos
* "Fuck the Sex Pistols" (2008)
* "Feels Like End Times" (2018)
* "Survival" (2021)
References
External links
Modern Life Is War on Punknews.orgJeffrey Eaton's personal blogInterview With Jeffrey Eaton on Late Night Wallflower*
ttps://modernlifeiswar.bandcamp.com/music Modern Life Is War Bandcamp Page
{{Authority control
American post-hardcore musical groups
American hardcore punk groups
Melodic hardcore groups
Rock music groups from Iowa
Musical groups established in 2002
Musical groups disestablished in 2008
Equal Vision Records artists
Deathwish Inc. artists
People from Marshalltown, Iowa
Musical groups reestablished in 2012
2002 establishments in Iowa