In this episode, we explore 13-Point Program to Destroy America, the 1991 debut album from Nation of Ulysses that turned DC’s post-hardcore scene on its head. Released by Dischord Records and recorded at Inner Ear Studios with Ian MacKaye and Don Zientara, the album fused punk, free jazz, and radical politics into a chaotic and satirical critique of American conformity.

Formed in 1988 by Ian Svenonius, James Canty, Steve Kroner, Steve Gamboa, and Tim Green, Nation of Ulysses presented themselves not just as a band, but as a “political party” advocating for youth liberation and creative revolution. With their sharp suits, manifesto-style lyrics, and explosive performances, they pushed the boundaries of what DC punk could sound and look like.

In this conversation, we’re joined by John R. Davis, musician, curator, and author of Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C. (Georgetown University Press). We discuss how Nation of Ulysses reflected and redefined the DC underground at the dawn of the 1990s bridging music, politics, and performance in a way that continues to influence artists today.

Go Further:

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  Dischord Records – 13-Point Program to Destroy America

  
  


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  Georgetown University Press – "Keep Your Ear To The Ground"

  
  


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  Wikipedia – Nation of Ulysees

  
  


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  Dance of Days by Mark Andersen and Mark Jenkins – Akashic Books

  
  

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Email: dcrockpod@gmail.com

Hosts:

Philip Basnight – Broke Royals

Alex Vidales – Pilot Waves

Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight