Reston Hardcore: An Oral History of Jam for Man and Beyond

Reston Hardcore: An oral history of jam for man and beyond by Andy Keiler

Northern Virginia in the 80s and 90s was the greatest independent music scene that almost nobody has ever heard of. Drawing inspiration from the raw energy of DC hardcore and the distinctive sound of Inner Ear Studios, this burgeoning scene spread throughout the suburbs, blending with the rising forces of Go-Go and hip-hop. Reston alone birthed members of iconic bands like Gwar, Scream, Avail, Branch Manager, and Deceased. Independent labels such as DSI, Simple Machines, Teen Beat, WGNS, Torque, and Victrola gave voice to this underground movement. These kids built a DIY community that supported one another, and the Jam for Man shows led to lives of lifelong activism through music.

"The Potomac River is not particularly mighty, but it does draw an indelible line between Washington DC and Northern Virginia. I have to believe that the isolation that compelled people, mostly kids, in DC to create their own musical community was also the driver for those in Northern Virginia who did the same. Here, in their own words, is how that scene came to be."

- Ian MacKaye / Dischord Records, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Evens.

"While the DC punk community is famously influential, there always were creative, inspiring outshoots in the suburbs and exurbs of the city. Reston, VA was one of those tributaries, where a scene ignited by DC punk's musical freedom and social commitment took deep root and flourished. This is its story and that of its most well known culmination, the "Jam For Man" benefit concert series, told by the people who lived it. I learned a lot reading this, finding lesson and inspiration. This book reminds us that there is always something to be done, no matter how challenging the context. More than worth your time!"

- Mark Andersen / Positive Force DC.