Formed in Arcata, California in 1982, Agent 86 has been a part of the political pop-punk scenes in Eugene, Oregon, Washington DC and most recently Seattle, Washington with time spent extensively touring the U.S. as well as two European tours in the early nineties.
Agent 86, fronted and founded by Mike Briggs, guitar and lead vocals, is one of the oldest consistently gigging punk bands to still write and record new, original material. While so many of punk's pioneers lost faith in the movement or moved on to supposedly bigger and better things, Mike has stood firm, and his socially and politically charged lyrics are today still as pertinent as the lyrics he wrote twenty years ago, while still maintaining a fun and youthful attitude. The term "rastacore" (also the name of Mike's record label), used today to describe many different bands and musical styles that borrow from reggae and ska, was coined by Mike at a Circle Jerks/Agent 86 show, and was later adopted by the legendary Bad Brains as a moniker.
Agent 86's sound, often described in reviews as a melding of Billy Bragg and The Dead Kennedys, has grown into a style uniquely their own over its twenty-plus year history. Agent 86 has been cited as an influence by many bands that today are themselves considered influential (Green Day and Calamity Jane to name just two) as well as earning recognition as being a backbone in forming the early framework of the pop-punk sound. Artists such as The Melvins, Horace Pinker and D.O.A. have thanked Agent 86 for their involvement in the punk scene; D.O.A.'s Joey Shithead even produced the bands third record "Apartheid American Style".
Accept no substitutes or imposters. This is the original Agent 86.
>Please note that the 2 live songs are from a fairly crappy soundboard recording...This is the only representation of our current sound until we can get something recorded.
Agent 86's discography:
Moslems Are The New Jews...And Bush Is The New Hitler (CD) Rastacore Records 2004; Homegrown Terrorists (CD) Rastacore Records 2003;
Rally Round the Flag (CD) Rastacore Records 2001; New Wave Sucks (CD) Boisleve Records 2000; 3 Songs (EP) Explicit Sounds 1994; (R)evolution (CD) Rastacore Records 1993; Smells Like Riot Girl (EP) Rastacore Records 1992; Wont Give Up (EP) Rastacore Records 1992; Just Say No (LP) New Wave Records 1992; Viet Nam Generation (EP) New Wave Records 1990; Apartheid American Style (LP) New Wave Records 1989; Apartheid American Style (EP) Counterpiece Records 1986; Scary Action (EP) Counterpiece Records 1985; Protect the Earth (EP) Counterpiece Records 1983
A few Agent 86 record reviews:
AGENT 86-New Wave Sucks Early Days Discography
There's a copy of the Scary Action EP at Mission Records. Its behind the counter, and Adam wont sell it to me. Its from 1985, and with one look you know exactly what it sounds like: punk as fuck. But who needs that damn 7" anyway, because now theres a 33 song (partial) discography from this awesome hardcore band spanning their records from 1985 through the end of the decade. Yeah, I like the early stuff better, but even as they matured, AGENT 86 still cranked out kick ass passionate, energetic, political punk fucking rock. Its great that this stuff is available again. (WN)
-Maximum Rocknroll
AGENT 86-New Wave Sucks CD This CD is a collection of three vinyl releases that came out a few years ago on New Wave Records outta France, and it chronicles 10 years of the band from 86-96. The addresses listed for contributing members is in Seattle, so I think that is probably where the band is from. They're really good at playing old-styled punk that draws more on the '77 style of playing clear and raw, with that era of the mid 80's California style punk rock hanging around. They've got a catchy style and a range of variety that is full of hooks and a really familiar feeling. Its like I can almost pinpoint who they remind me of, and its straight outta the mid-80's when bands like Social Unrest, MIA, Circle One and the like were my favorites. Takes me back to that time in a very good way. Totally solid and straight forward punk rock. Yann always does a good job assembling his CDs with a booklet of lyrics and reminiscing from two band members. (Chris)
-Slug & Lettuce
AGENT 86 NEW WAVE SUCKS, CD
This is a reissue of 3 of Agent 86's records from the mid 80's. Political punk that was melodic, but predated pop-punk. If you liked this band before, this is a good way to get their records in one easy format. (NS)
-Punk Planet
Bienvenu chez nous
à découvrir notre nouveau titre, "Passer par le Chrome"
et voici un petit clip qui en dit long sur nos prises de positions
BLESS, PEACE AND HARMONY
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