Detroit Punks Episode 1: John Brannon

[@thommuseddard537]

Just saw NA last Saturday. Still fucking shit up in 2024. And I’m better for having witnessed it.

[@bigdoggpickle]

Grandpa Brannon is a living legend... Kept it real and he's in his sixties. He'll eventually have a heart attack or stroke on stage, but no one will ever be able to say that he was a "poseur" or not "keeping it real" ...All his contemporaries have families ,grown kids and are retiring in the suburbs while he's out eating crappy road food, playing crazy places like Detroit, traveling in a van, going to bed late, making no money, and still screaming for an hour onstage over and over! LEGEND!!!

[@emilyz766]

Laughing Hyenas was one of the best bands ever

[@porkyphig]

Negative Approach with Die Kreuzen in a church basement in Detroit. That was one of my first live music experiences as a youngster in the mid-80's. Good memories!

[@chetrok1]

I was still a mini fucker in the 80s but NA and DK for youre first show , fuck thats gold

[@rrpostalagain]

Pretty sure I was there for that show. Was the hungry brain the one in the basement of an old shoe store? It's all somewhat blurry.

[@mylenesau]

i read your comment and i just want to be there too. Never saw them,

[@petrospoutsa9270]

lucky fucker

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

You had a proper beginning

[@ralphthedog1660]

John Brannon is the best, most intense hardcore singer EVER!!!!

[@ppramone530]

you try to make things work and make something it's all no use it always leads to nothing.

[@GoTread]

John Brannon... he was always my American Idol. Such a force.

[@roaringlion1977]

Met him recently! Super kool guy! Total punk legend!!

[@beat.spectral]

The Laughing Hyenas changed my life ... period. Thank You.

[@DimestoreLiam]

+Beat Arevalo Me too... The only band ever that I would actually pay to see more than 40 times...

[@jjvladimir6070]

Totally understand. They changed my life too.

[@speedhead]

One rad dude. I met him at a skatepark event near detroit they played at maybe 6 years ago. Me and him were the only 2 people ripping cigs and beers in the beer tent mid-day and I walked over started talking to him, not knowing full who he was. We chatted just as 2 strangers for a few minutes and he mentioned he was playing and I was like damn you are the fuckin singer for NA arent you. We still just talked about punk for like a good 20 minutes just a super humble down to earth dude. Then they fucking slayed a 25 minute set and the kids did not know what the fuck was going on. we had a circle pit going around dudes skating doing kickflips in the middle and shit - it was a tight day.

[@centralscrutinizer66]

Without John, I don't think Detroit would've been on the "alternative" map at all. Every damn band he starts eventually becomes.....great. I remember the early hyena gigs being rough, but once it solidified, they were as good as anyone if not better. True artiste that wasn't afraid to take chances, these days that's a rare quality. Thanks John.

[@GunsUp-km7vz]

centralscrutinizer66 bullshit

[@Itsa6stringthang]

Detroit's always had great bands though...

[@windowliberationbrigade1860]

People like John and the Wolf Eyes crew make me proud to be from where I'm from

[@chetrok1]

Im from Cleveland so to finally hear him cover Dead Boys is beyond fkn gnarly cheers from the 216 John

[@Itsa6stringthang]

When you talk about Cleveland i always think about Mike Hudson, he was the fucking man...

[@kryptichands968]

@@Itsa6stringthang never got to meet him RIP I love the Pagans

[@djgforce11]

"Ill be fuckin shit up till after Im dead"...thats what Im talkin about!

[@skaterdavedownsouth]

I came to shows at the Freezer as a homeless kid from Flint. That Cass neighborhood around there looked a lot like the zone in Flint where I was squatting. It was still impressive to see how a bunch of suburban white kids basically barged that block and made it theirs. The locals were pretty hands off, like, “them white kids is crazy, best stay back...” After the first visit I noticed they only took money until the place was packed, then they’d abandon trying to regulate. After the first band no one was watching the door so you could just go in after the crowd came out for air after the first set.

[@terragillis7040]

DETROIT PUNKS, yr episodes make me feel gooey and warm like fresh baked cookies.

[@kellymckay1750]

Laughing Hyenas gave me a ride home once {like 1990, Portland,Oregon} very cool people!!

[@paulbeahm3891]

Negative approach is one of those bands that I'm so glad I found

[@bobbyrees1914]

Check out Reagan youth

[@paulbeahm3891]

@@bobbyrees1914 great band, used to love them. Don't listen to much of it anymore. Whatever I was looking for, whether it be in drugs or music or entertainment of any kind for that matter, I found in Jesus. He truly is more than anything this world can offer.

[@stevegilmore2093]

@@paulbeahm3891😂😂

[@borispink]

this is truly awesome and John is a legend..

[@willieluncheonette5843]

" I was in love with Louie Armstrong" Bravo John! When I saw the Ken Burns jazz series I thought Louis was one of the most beautiful souls I've ever seen on this planet.

[@bellammare]

Top Documentary. Fantastic. Congratulations.

[@garywickmiller8167]

I was there 79-86. Greystone hall, St Andrews, 404 Willis, city club, Harpo's, irocs, etc etc. Working class kids. John fucking Brannon was a perfect role model

[@my_stomach_hurt1876]

Fucking legend. Generations of hardcore owe this man so much

[@skayyoung301]

Brilliant! Cheese Thief, Mad man. Great work Y'all. Can't wait to see the endless stream of additional episodes. Still FULL of Detroit Nort! Thanks for your love of our Punkness in our beloved Detroit.

[@djintrospekt5715]

"Harold needs to turn around and face the fuckin audience!" - John Brannon

[@omnithrope]

Harold! He's always done that... At least since Gravitar.

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

John , Kevin and Larissa sold me stage shoes! Hell yeah!

[@jerryvile6750]

A perfect example of What Happens In Detroit Stays in Detroit.

[@smwrbd]

Best memories, Bookies Lounge.

[@soysaucefool]

Sadly that motto didn't hold true for Kid Rock

[@sockeye14]

Good staff dudes. Good to see Lacy too. Looking good ol' boy.

[@DimestoreLiam]

+Alex MacGillivray Whatuptho, brother? It's been a long time!

[@herp3]

hardcore doesn't get much better then that NA EP.

[@chetrok1]

herp3 That negative approach 7" is the appetite of hardcore and it's everything hardcore should fuckinh be

[@ericks9979]

Germs are still the best

[@MaharlikaAWA]

Everything they did after that was not as hardcore.

[@wilsonisaias3236]

A tip: you can watch movies at Flixzone. Been using them for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@marshallbradley5892]

@Wilson Isaias Definitely, have been watching on Flixzone for years myself :)

[@DimestoreLiam]

FUCK YEAH!!! Whoever is doing this, fucking THANK YOU! It's about fucking time... Any way I can help, let me know (Lacy & Brad both have my number).

[@diadelostacos6557]

That was awesome.

[@frankfoe9643]

Fantastic.

[@JMarinelli]

Having had my mind blown by the Laughing Hyenas and Easy Action, I finally saw NA last Sunday. Absolutely blinding.

[@timmackenzie8145]

I’ve been a fan of Johns for ages at this point, and seeing the Laughing Hyenas stuff on here brings me back because of the time one of our bands played with them in Montreal in 88 or 89 at Foufounes Electriques. I remember being stoked that we were going to get to play with Johns new band (we were big NA fans). I only wish we would have gotten to hang out with them a bit, but the show was great fun. Our band was called Satans Landlord, and we were maybe a bit of a strange opener for them, as we were closer to The Meatmen than we were to LH.

[@djgforce11]

Had the pleasure of smokin weed w/him in Philly when EA opened for Radio Birdman.

[@joesuburb]

Turned out great!

[@caesarydi]

When John is talking about doing Negative Approach songs again and the effect , the rush it has ... so badass. It's the songs. Some of the all time great songs in any kind of rock.

[@trentreeve]

Did not know about this until 20 minutes ago. So good.

[@wok138]

both NA's ep & album are definitely some of the best US hardcore records. both captured the aggressiveness and pissed off band that was Negative Approach.

[@_Tizoc_]

no one has more hilarious and awesome shit to say about john brannon than tesco vee you guys should have talked to him!

[@WindsOfNeptune]

Loved it! Especially cool to see the Hyenas footage and story! Awesome.

[@ericdahlstrom7115]

Meet John back at an Iggy Pop show back in 96,then Harold and Ron S. They were always super cool to us, got us into alot of shows,opening for the damned at st Andrew's, they were like just walk in with us.my band was influenced by them,and years later someone told our drummer they booked us to open for easy action. We could def keep up with them. I went to Denmark the next day.ill never forget it. I remember playing elbow room in ypsi,Ypsilanti, Leighton described our bands sound on the little marquee/ show board they had to say who was playing, it said "john brannon fronting eyehategod", my band mates said how much you pay for that?

[@chetrok1]

Negative Approach, Necros enough said

[@YoAaronD]

Excellent stuff here. Thanks for uploading this 🙏

[@gobanito]

Saw Negative Approach play just this summer they were the headlining band, fucking intense.

[@jenniferyoung5291]

saw them, like 10 times...was to intimidated to speak to them, kinda regret it now! Amazing, legendary band.

[@kryptichands968]

John's down to earth, I spoke to him the firstly time I saw NA, he was fkn cool and approachable

[@LongListOfErrors]

Great Doc, I’d love to see more of your work.

[@angelo8424]

I saw NA open for Minor Threat around 1982 at Western Michigan U for $3.

[@Suckmy2012]

This guy is my hero!🤘🏽

[@CS-sf1rz]

Oh my fkin gawd!! When he said dead boys I was praying it wud be all this and more little girl!

[@Jamko1970]

Good to see Lacy in this. True punk legend in the D!!!!

[@garyabbot4659]

Brannon is the real deal

[@skysawing]

"I'll be fuckin shit up even after I'm dead." -John Brannon

[@samuelblinne6040]

Negative approach very underrated band

[@samuelblinne6040]

I love negative approach

[@jimmy_junk]

A really great series. Well shot and interesting even for people who aren't punk/hardcore/skin. Keep it Rock Steady brothers and sisters.

[@FGP_Pro]

The greatest Detroit punk since Rob Tyner.

[@ralphthedog1660]

And don't miss him November 1st at the Magic Stick With SOIA.

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

I'm still trying to get back in touch with John...

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

subdivisions70 Thanks a lot!

[@davidstaniszewski8524]

hold on here, this is great but Kevin Monroe was playing guitar in a band with me. we called ourselves The Frustrated. He knew how to play. His father, (Kevin) was in the DSO.....so lets dial this down a bit

[@dronepunkfpv1424]

Love John’s whole body of work!

[@ConFUsedOneKid]

Looks like the Governor from The Walking Dead

[@joelhunt8188]

Check it out, this rules.

[@user-js9in4lr3e]

"I took about two steps and threw up all over her. Turns out this chick's Drew Barrymore and I'm like whatever, you know?" lmao

[@angelocatapang6054]

go johnny go go go brannon!.

[@adrienfourniercom]

I've got a permanent puncture wound in my arm that I had during a NA gig. The show was so intense, I just bleed and continued to pogo, shout in and out the mike, the adrenaline helped and I can't stop. Definitively a band to experience in live.

[@crsc3095]

why tf you aint healing fam

[@swampshack1018]

@@crsc3095 not eating enough vegetables

[@escapedvivesectionist7011]

Tremendous. Good viewing 👍.

[@GoldandAppel]

Thanx Keith!

[@samuelblinne6040]

Awesome

[@Jeannedardor]

That footage in Holland of the Hyenas was 1989 or 90, not 1985 as is stated in the doc.

[@samuelblinne6040]

Negative approach is the shit

[@MarsHottentot]

Hyenas were my jam! Magas' old band Lake of Dracula were amazing, too!

[@mrspirxo]

Good stuff! Should do a vid on Timmy Vulgar also!

[@JoshuaCraigStrain]

Nice job !!

[@CS-sf1rz]

thank u!! great doc!!

[@RobinStehlik-b6d]

Wot a cool doccie - love NA!

[@RoryLynott]

There's brutal and then there's John Brannon

[@davidstaniszewski8524]

Kevin can you talk about you being from a very well to do part of Detroit?

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

I loved thus band, but everybody had a story about John and Larrissa and habits.

[@dawsonnichols3166]

Just saw Easy Action last month, amazing. A shame he has to work in a restaurant.

[@MaharlikaAWA]

What's so cool about stealing cheese from a grocery store and going to jail for it? The street cred?

[@vilewisher8786]

The realest shit ever. Thank you.

[@Itsa6stringthang]

Love the fucking cheese scene...

[@andilayne9885]

Im gonna ask friends from all over the U.S. to take part.

[@cron205]

NEGATIVE APROACH EFEN RULES my life is very similar I get bullied by junkies and homeless people and have no outlet and negative Aproach gives me that outlet that's why I'm now putting together a Hardcore band together I'm tired of the crap that goes on in galt Ontario Canada that's why I'm putting a Hardcore band together things need to change in galt

[@stoneygraved]

Great doc!! Looking forward to all the episodes to come.. Btw the best thing on twitter is twitter.com/RealJohnBrannon

[@TheFilthyGoTDirt]

I guess I was a generation after, because the only influential Detroit punk band that stands out to me is/was Earthmover (fronted by Mr.Adams).

[@djintrospekt5715]

The Suicide Machines stood out way more than Earthmover around that time.

[@TheFilthyGoTDirt]

Stood out for you might mean something different as far as a "punk" band goes. The Suicide Machines while talented were a clearly pop channeling en devour from this listeners perspective, while the band Earthmover that I was referencing helped usher a more "hardcore" for the underground of the world that I was listening to. But labels are awful and punk a very broad term.

[@centralscrutinizer66]

If you're talking about earthmover being your detroit hardcore epiphany, my friend you are more than one generation removed from the fact. Suicide Machines were never that relevant and rode that 3rd wave of ska for teens (signed to Disney) Detroit had a really unhealthy fascination with NY hardcore in the 90's and Pittbull was the only good thing that came from that.

[@TheFilthyGoTDirt]

centralscrutinizer66 Pitbull might have been important, I've never heard of them though. But I wasn't in the scene, or even an enthusiast so to speak (I was at Botfly shows, and catching touring acts that came to town). I only brought up Earthmover because my buddies talented little brother & all of his (sober?) friends were in bands almost clichely as a result of them, & my only time seeing them I was the only one in the building incapable of screaming all the lyrics in to the mic if it was thrust in front of them (the fans "dancing" was some surreal violence mixed with personal space that I've never understood lol). Little man was an impressive rock god in his element that harnessed energy.

[@centralscrutinizer66]

TheFilthyGoTDirt In the grand scope of Detroit punk, Pittbull weren't really a long standing entity, but they were contenders in the "H8" core scene with bands like Cold as Life and the ilk. I saw Earth Mover and wasn't moved and bands of the like were a dime a dozen during the Biohazard advent of hardcore mosh metal. That sound got boring quick.

[@gilramirez1373]

I now reside in Midwest east end of.........

[@Brewzerr]

Tony Liggett! Nice surprise seeing you pop up in this! It’s Brew btw. I quit facebook for good about 18 months ago, so get in touch on my youtube channel.

[@luckent47]

used my footage without credit. cool. whatever. i got to see all the shows in 82 so i win.

[@ivansuvanjieff8063]

You were put in the credits a little later. Please forgive us, okay?

[@trevorxvx]

LOL

[@therapist6328]

We are watching this. We win too

[@1_dirty_rotten_imbecile695]

Get over it!!!

[@mms4397]

That stinks dude I’m really sorry your footage is awesome

[@andilayne9885]

well, apparently, i guess i gotta make a DETROIT PUNKS EPISODE.IN DAYTON.

[@pim2paul]

nice

[@SparksOnTheRoad]

You fuck with a slogan "life of crime" and you can't even steel cheese without getting caught up? LOL...I like what I'm hearing though no bullshit..

[@nothingshouldbewithouteffort]

Brannon is downright incendiary on stage.

[@bobbyrees1914]

Yes we were there and have the crappy tattoos to prove it. Fkn Graystone, Snap! Erika Robinson, you out there somewhere???? Where my skins at? Shit we 60 now hahaha P.s the black dude. Sorry Don't remember your name, you had spike Mohawk we chilling in Ferndale?

[@removerecords4714]

Cool

[@xisotopex]

I can see who henry garfield imitated...

[@vinylrichie007]

Henry in SOA was before Negative Approach.

[@hectic5173]

xisotopex other way around..Check out SOA..if you havent already..predates NA..But realky who gives a fuck right, ha both kicked lass.

[@hectic5173]

Vinyl Richie ohhhh..uhh didnt aee ya there ha so ya check out SOA.

[@kryptichands968]

Henry adopted Dez's vocal style

[@cron205]

Is Chris Bickford the host for Why Be something your not because it looks like him and the host sounds like Chris Bickford

[@Fabester71]

Fucking A ...N/A!!!🍻

[@THEScottCampbell]

Episode ONE? What is The Stooges, The Sillies, The Ramrods, etc.? Episode Minus One?

[@smwrbd]

The Mutants? Hi Scott.

[@Suckmy2012]

Omg did L7 play with them at Hellfest? :0