Moss Icon is an American post-hardcore band formed in late 1986 in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. Its original lineup comprised vocalist Jonathan Vance, guitarist Tonie Joy, bassist Monica DiGialleonardo, and drummer Mark Laurence. Alex Badertscher joined as the second guitarist in 1990. Moss Icon is considered to be an early influence on the hardcore punk splinter genre known as post-hardcore, as well as on the eventual development of emo. However, the band members themselves have repeatedly denied knowingly contributing to the latter genre in any way.

History and background

Formation to breakup

The band's identifying characteristics, and those that distinguished them from their contemporaries, included noticeable and abrupt transitions from loud to quiet, and Jonathan Vance's esoteric stream of conscious lyrical content. Earlier recordings of the band are reminiscent of early Joy Division, while later songs embodied a less blunt approach with more exploratory arrangements and riffage. Vance's lyrics touched upon vaguely, among other issues, the plight of indigenous peoples of the Americas, and opposed the U.S. government's involvement in Nicaragua and Guatemala. The band played frequently with fellow Annapolis band The Hated. Moss Icon recorded their debut 7", "Hate in Me", in January 1988.

Over the course of three different studio sessions in 1988, Moss Icon would record their second EP, "Mahpiua Luta," as well as their debut full-length. Guitarist Tonie Joy has stated that the album was eventually "abandoned" because "Jonathan wasn't happy with it or something."

Other band members were less involved in music, except for Laurence's drums in Lava, DiGialleonardo's Blue Condors, and Vance's solo debut LP.

Moss Icon reunited to play two shows with Zak Fusciello on drums, one at the 2001 More Than Music Fest in Columbus, Ohio and the other at the renovated Charles Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland.

Recent activity

In July 2008, Moss Icon was named one of the "23 Bands Who Shaped Punk" by Alternative Press magazine in issue No. 240. Vance's first officially released book, Tulip Has a Room, was published by Easysubcult.

Since 2007, Joy, Vance, Zak Fusciello, and Alex Badertscher have been occasionally working on new material in Baltimore, MD, for a possible new recording.

A 30th anniversary edition of Lyburnum Wits was released by Temporary Residence Limited.

Discography

  • Demo Tape (1987)
  • Hate in Me (1988, Vermin Scum/Dancing Song)
  • Mahpiua Luta (1989, Vermin Scum)
  • Memorial (1991, Vermin Scum)
  • Split with Silver Bearing (1991, Vermin Scum)
  • Lyburnum Wits End Liberation Fly (1993, Vermiform Records)
  • It Disappears (1994, Ebullition Records/Vermin Scum)

Compilation appearances

  • Panx Zine No. 3 compilation 7" - song "Mirror" (1988, Panx)
  • Life is Change comp CD - song "Guatemala" (1991, Bari Beri)
  • Superpowers cassette compilation - song "Sioux Day" (1992, Troubleman Unlimited)
  • Powerless II comp LP - song "Divinity Cove" (1992)
  • Fear of Smell comp LP - song "Excerpt From It Disappears" (1993, Vermiform)
  • False Object Sensor comp LP/CD - song "Cornflower Blue" with Daniel Littleton of The Hated and Ida, and Michael Littleton of Ida (2001, Vermiform—also appears on The Hated "unreleased songs" bootleg LP)

References

  • Temporary Residence reissues website
  • Moss Icon - BandToBand.com
  • Review of the Hate In Me 7"
  • Moss Icon's Official Myspace page
  • Alternative Press July, 2008, Issue No. 240