Government Issue

One of the longest-lived bands on the Washington, D.C., hardcore scene, Government Issue (or G.I. for short) carried the torch for traditional hardcore punk on their early records, but evolved into something more adventurous by adding bits of metal, new wave pop, and psychedelia. Frontman John Stabb (born John Schroeder) guided the group through a legion of personnel shifts and several label changes, which made their nine-year lifespan all the more remarkable. Since their demise, G.I. has remained somewhat overlooked in relation to the rest of the D.C. hardcore bands of their time, in part because their music never really fit the proto-emo bent of much of the local Dischord stable. They did have a following in the straight-edge community, although Stabb's stance on drinking was more one of moderation than absolute purity. Government Issue was born in 1981 out of the ashes of a group called the Stab, from which lead vocalist John Schroeder took what eventually became his stage name (he also went by John Stabb Schroeder on occasion). As the members of the Stab drifted apart, Stabb and drummer Marc Alberstadt hooked up with new guitarist John Barry and bassist Brian Gay, and changed the name of the band to Government Issue. By the end of the year, Gay had left to attend college, and was replaced by Minor Threat bassist Brian Baker, whose band was then on hiatus. Government Issue recorded their ten-song debut EP, Legless Bull, that year, releasing it on the Dischord label; they also appeared on Dischord's Flex Your Head compilation, an important early document of the D.C. scene. Baker soon replaced Barry on guitar, and Tom Lyle joined in late 1981 as the new bassist; when Baker rejoined Minor Threat in early 1982, Lyle took over his guitar spot. Anxious to release another...