In the annals of punk rock, few names conjure the kind of reverence reserved for SCREAM, the band that carved its initials into the wooden desks of punk history. For those who have been waiting with bated breath since their last release in 1993, the moment of elation has arrived. SCREAM is stepping back into the limelight with their first full-length album in three decades, aptly named “DC Special.” It’s not just a new album; it’s a vivid tapestry that threads the evolution of Washington DC’s rich musical tapestry through the band’s own storied past.
We discussed this new release in our special interview HERE.
Formed in the melting pot of musical innovation that was Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, back in 1979, SCREAM was a product of school friendships and shared musical awakenings. Drummer Kent Stacks, bassist Skeeter Enoch Thompson, and the Stahl brothers—Pete and Franz—were not just witnesses to the burgeoning punk and new wave scenes in DC; they were participants, heavily influenced by legends like Bad Brains. Yet, it was their innate rock and roll sensibility that marked them as a standout in a sea of emerging punk talent. They cut their teeth in the legendary Inner Ear Studio, collaborating with Ian MacKaye and Eddie Janney to craft Dischord Records’ first full-length album, “Still Screaming,” in 1982.
Their journey would take them from the confines of their local scene to far-flung corners of the globe. SCREAM became one of the pioneering U.S. hardcore bands to make waves in Europe and the UK. Their discography expanded, absorbing a range of influences and recording locales—from the Southern Studios in London to Inner Ear, yet again, for their 1993 release, “Fumble.”
Over the years, the line-up has morphed, undergoing crucial changes like the exit of Kent Stacks and the entrance of an aspiring young drummer, Dave Grohl, who would later skyrocket to fame with Nirvana and The Foo Fighters. Despite these shifts and individual explorations, the band found a way to reunite, musically and spiritually.
The upcoming “DC Special” album, set to drop on November 10th via Dischord Records, is a monumental endeavor that taps into an extensive network of the band’s long-standing community. It captures the essence of a scene, a city, and an era. The album was one of the last projects recorded at the iconic Inner Ear Studio by Don Zientara before it was ousted from its historic location. It acts as a living history of DC music, a compendium of influences that have shaped SCREAM and their community over the past six decades. Contributions range from legends like Ian MacKaye and Joe Lally to modern virtuosos like Dave Grohl and Mark Cisneros.
Prepare to be part of this historic moment, as SCREAM hits the road later this year, marking their triumphant return with a tour that starts on the West Coast and culminates in their home turf of Washington, DC. The band will be sharing the stage with Soulside.
SCREAM on tour:
10.27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon
10.29 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
10.31 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
11.01 – Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project
12.07 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
12.08 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows
12.09 – Medford (Boston), MA @ Deep Cuts
12.10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
