7 Seconds Biography
This long-lived American hardcore punk outfit was formed in 1980 in Reno, Nevada, USA. The classic early period 7 Seconds line-up comprised Kevin Seconds (Kevin Marvelli; guitar, vocals), Steve Youth (b. Steve Marvelli; bass) and Bix Bigler (drums). Other early members of the band included both Tom Borhino, also of the Cowskulls and Section 8, and Troy Mowat. The latter would return to the line-up in the mid-80s to become their regular drummer, while Bobby Adams was frequently employed as a second guitarist. 7 Seconds' recording career began in 1981 with two cassettes (Socially Fucked Up and 3 Chord Politics) on their own Vicious Scam label, eventually making their vinyl debut with an EP, Skins, Brains And Guts. Kevin Seconds, who only took over vocals after the initial cassettes, was also responsible for the writing and distribution of local fanzine S.K.I.T.C.H. The band's debut EP was one of the first releases on Alternative Tentacles Records, though in truth it contained little of merit, following generic hardcore punk guidelines. In addition, it was only released in the USA - the UK label's head Bill Gilliam refused to release it because of the cover, which depicted a skinhead and a clenched fist. (His objections had nothing to do with the lyrics, but having tour-managed Sham 69 he was aware of the way the notoriously right-wing skinhead movement could attach itself to such images.) 7 Seconds' debut album, The Crew, released in 1984 on their own BYO (Better Youth Organization) label, was much better recorded and received. Next came the Walk Together, Rock Together mini-album, recorded with Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat in Washington, which included an efficient demolition of Nena's "99 Red Balloons". Musically their songs had progressed to the point at which tight harmonies and rhythmic diversions added a new sheen to the finished result. Their developing musicianship resulted in considerable popularity in US punk circles, culminating in the award of two consecutive "best band" polls in the Los Angeles hardcore bible Flipside. By 1986 Mowat had returned to the drums as the band continued to alienate their existing audience with material (the appropriately titled New Wind) that had more in common with Simple Minds than the Circle Jerks. The band returned to form with two albums for Restless Records in the late 80s, before Kevin Seconds took time out to record an album with the side project Drop Acid (his other excursions outside 7 Seconds include Jackshit and 5'10'). The Old School compilation offered a good summary of 7 Seconds' achievements, including re-recordings of their 1982/3 material that were many times better than the originals. 7 Seconds reconvened in 1993 to record the excellent pop-punk set, Out The Shizzy. This album, alongside the concurrent mainstream breakthrough of Green Day, earned the band a major label contract with Epic Records. Their sole album for the label stayed admirably true to the band's hardcore roots, earning them respect from both long-term fans and the new punk audience. They subsequently returned to independent label status, recording 1999's Good To Go for the Side 1 Dummy label.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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