Politically aware, always cynical, and powerfully musical, Born Against brought the pa**ion and restless anger of American hardcore into the nineties. First active in 1989-90 in New York City, the band featured vocalist Sam McPheeters and guitarist Adam Nathanson, as well as a revolving cast of drummers and ba**ists. (The most solid lineup included Tonie Jay and Brooks Headley of Universal Order of Armageddon fame.) Born Against began with the usual round of 7" and compilation appearances, including a spot on Ebullition's influential 1991 comp Give Me Back. They then issued 9 Patriotic Hymns for Children, their debut LP, that same year. The Battle Hymns of the Race War 10" followed; both were released through McPheeters' own Vermiform imprint. More comp appearances and split releases followed, including a 1994 split with Screeching Weasel for Lookout! Born Against had run its course by mid-decade, even if its existence had galvanized an NYC hardcore scene screaming for a voice. But its members soldiered on with other projects, including McPheeters' Men's Recovery Project and Nathanson's Young Pioneers. In 2003 k** Rock Stars stepped in to take over distribution of the Born Against material, after Vermiform fell on hard times. Rebel Sound of sh** and Failure compiled nineteen early and obscure single and flexi releases, while 9 Patriotic Hyms and Battle Hymns were compiled into one release. In 2004 McPheeters resurfaced with a new project for KRS called Wrangler Brutes, a manic, hard-charging thrash/hardcore outfit that also featured drummer Headley and Andy Coronado (ex-Monorchid). Zulu, their debut, appeared in October '04. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide