1993: 97a plays twice, as more of a project than an actual band.
1994: With Chris on bass and vocals, Todd on guitar, and Glen on drums, 97a set out with a serious lineup and a simple goal; to create a fast and thrashy hardcore band with intelligent lyrics that would stand the test of time. By November, enough songs were written to hastily record a seven song demo which would come out in December.
1995: Chris handed his bass duties over to Clint in January and the band became a 4-piece. A month later, the band played the legendary 'Pat Duncan Radio Show' on WFMU-FM which also led to band's first slab of vinyl, the 'Terror at WFMU' ep. This 7"ep was limited to 500 copies and released with the incredible help of Vibrator Records from Japan, as a 'split label' release with Teamwork Records.
1996: During this time, 97a played shows and wrote most of what would become the 'Better Off Dead' ep, which was recorded in February. By November, the band had recorded eight more tracks, seven of which were put on the 'Abandoned Future' 12"/CD-ep in June of the following year. (The other song was put on the Growing Stronger 7" compilation ep.)
1997: The band releases the 'Abandoned Future' 12"/CD-ep on Teamwork in the United States, and Coalition in Europe to favorable reviews everywhere. This 12"/CD-ep also includes a remixed and remastered version of the entire 'Better off Dead' recordings. Around this same time, Chris, Todd, and Glen recorded 'Always There' for the 'Punk Uprisings' CD compilation on Go Kart records. The guys also played a bunch of shows and had a pair of successful tours (with a fill-in bassist from Albany's infamous Monster X) through the Mid-Atlantic states in September and December.
1998: The (now controversial) 'It's in our power.' single was recorded in the spring, and then released on the Fourth of July. It was limited to just 1000 copies and sold out quickly. Later in the year, the band started working on recording songs for the upcoming 'society's running on empty...' 12"/CD.
1999: 97a finished up recording on 'society's running on empty...', which was released in June. Two months later Chris, Todd, Clint, (new drummer and old friend) Derik, and (roadie) Kris Too Far, brought the 97a summer tour machine coast to coast across America. This was a memorable time for all who were involved. It was also at this time that Derik came up with the idea of putting together a tour diary 'zine, which came out a few months later.
2000: 97a covers "Fuck your AmeriKa" on the 7SECONDS 'Fight the world, not each other!' tribute compilation, which was released by Reflections Records of The Netherlands. (This track was recorded during the 'society's running on empty...' sessions.)
2001: Eventually all things come to an end, and after about eight years of playing and recording, it seemed time to call it quits. The band reached most of it's goals and maybe even reached a couple more! On September 23rd, 97a played their last show and a flag flew over the Capitol building in Washington, DC to commemorate the day. Chris and Todd also put together a 24 page 'zine documenting the history of the band, which was given out to everyone at the show.
2006: Glen gets in touch with Todd and Chris about creating a another small burst of chaos and disorder. Long story short.........phone calls are made, emails exchanged, long distance drives conquered, etc. With a few practices under their belts, the guys (along with veteran roadie, Kris) are ready to write the next chapter!
The end was not the end...
