On Decembr 1, 1976, the Sex Pistols appeared on the live television program "Thames Today." As the show came to an end, inebriated host Bill Grundy dared guitarist Steve Jones to "say something outrageous." The equally sloshed Jones replied by calling Grundy a "dirty bastard," a "dirty fucker," and a "fuckin' rotter." In the ensuing outrage, the TV station was flooded with complaints, Steve Jones was recognized as the fifth person to ever say "fuck" on British television, the Pistols rose to absolute infamy, and punk rock's reputation as primitive, debauched, and dangerous was solidified.
From Germs to GG Allin, many punk bands have built a healthy amount of street credibility on a foundation of beer and damage. But for Denver's 29th Street Disciples, beer and damage are the least of their priorities. "I wouldn't consider my life fast whatsoever," says guitarist Eli Molyneux. "I work, go home, cook, read, and watch Netflix." Indeed, 29th Street Disciples are a real, honest-to-God working class band, with an emphasis on work. When not playing high-intensity shows with his band, Eli works as a journeyman butcher at Whole Foods. Bassist Tim Erwin is part owner and operator of local restaurant Applewood. Drummer Justin Carlson tests fishing lures.
Founded in 2006, 29th Street Disciples quickly gained a reputation for their excessive drinking, foul-mouthed debauchery, and inebriation-induced sense of arrogance. "It was really hard to book shows," says Eli. "We were snubbed early on, which definitely had a negative effect on the band." Eventually the band formed a camaraderie with San Francisco-based Warsaw Surrenders and a small handful of other bands who were able to look past the Disciples' infamy and focus on the music. A series of lineup changes also served as a challenge for the band. Eli and drummer Justin Carlson are the only remaining original members.
Fortunately enough, the Disciples managed to fight off their demons. "Our drummer used to be a drug addict, but now he's clean and sober. He spends most of his time with his girlfriend, working out, and trying to keep himself together. The restaurant keeps Tim pretty busy. Ben has a wife and a kid, and does stand-up comedy on the side," says Molyneux. "And I just stay in and try not to drink too much." Unlike many punk bands, who stay on the road of excess and thrive on their reputat as social deviants, the Disciples have done their best to clean up their act. They have evolved into a collective of well-behaved, industrious, working class citizens who just happen to love playing music that is fast and hard.
Despite the responsibilities of each band member, they still maintain that the band is much more than just a hobby. "If the right opportunity presented itself," Molyneux says, "we would definitely take the chance to make the band more of a professional endeavor."
Molyneux describes the Disciples' style as a mixture of "hardcore, '80s punk rock, post-hardcore, [and] a tad bit of metal." The band's eclectic sound is a synthesis of each member's various tastes. "My drummer is influenced primarily by West Coast punk rock like NOFX. My singer is from Maine and is primarily influenced by the Dropkick Murphys and American Nightmare. Our bassist is really influenced by metal, Iron Maiden for example. My influences are early West Coast hardcore like Black Flag and hardcore gangster rap like N.W.A."
Molyneux serves as the primary songwriter, focusing on "intensity, volume, and high velocity." Nearly every song idea starts with a guitar riff that he's meticulously perfected. After that, the rest of the band comes in for arrangement while vocalist Ben Roy writes the lyrics. For the members of 29th Street Disciples, the band is an emotional outlet: "The lyrics tend to be somewhat nihilistic, and they're very much just our hearts on the sleeve," Molyneux explains. The band's thematic elements include isolation, fear, failure, alcoholism, and self-abuse.
The Disciples are not a political entity, or a band advocating for some sort of particular cause. Rather, they are bonded by their sense of frustration, their working class roots, their love of playing music, and the sense of catharsis they get from playing. "I always feel better after we play," Molyneux says. "It's a good way to release, no matter how large or small the crowd is." Without major-label support behind them, Molyneux and company have had to take a DIY approach. The Disciples pay for their own demo recording and merchandise themselves, with each member contributing an equal share.
With a name like 29th Street Disciples, most listeners expect the band to sound more traditionally hardcore. But Molyneux explains that the band derived its name from local Colorado landmarks. "I originally wanted to call the band 'The Disciples,'" says Molyneux. "We used to rehearse on Martin Luther King Blvd., but our drummer didn't want us to be called the 'Martin Luther King Disciples,' and 29th Street Disciples sounded better than 30th Street Disciples. It sounded pretty cool, so we just ran with it."
Most recently, 29th Street Disciples signed with Wyoming-based label Zodiac Killer Records and released its self-titled debut. Featuring twelve original songs, the album was recorded at Uneven Studios in Denver and mixed and produced by Bryan Feuchtinger. Molyneux comments that it took a while to produce the right sound. "The initial tracks didn't take long and the mixing process was a little painstaking. We were trying to get a sound that was raw and live, something that mirrors our live performance without too much flash or overdubs."
With more and more commercial attention on the Denver scene, what could be next for 29th Street Disciples? In addition to their debut album, the band is also set to include tracks on several compilation discs. "We like being on compilations with bands we like, bands that play fast, rowdy rock 'n' roll and hardcore punk rock."
Ever humble and looking toward the future, 29th Street Disciples' most immediate focus is to keep writing and producing the best music they can. By showing more perseverance and responsibility than you can shake a whiskey bottle at, 29th Street Disciples have already proven themselves to be Denver's hardest working band.
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