American Standard

The music is there, just waiting to come out. The band is the spigot that makes it all happen. With American Standard, turning it on full blast has always been rule.

On their newly-recorded third full-length release, The New American Standard Classics, the renowned Jersey-based quartet delve into an old-days creative approach that effectively yields some of the band’s most devastating and dynamic material to date. From the melodic hardcore jam of "Day Planner" to the Class of 87 stylistic references of "Superchorus" and the Ruts-reminiscent sounds of the album-closing "Parcel," The New American Standard Classics finds American Standard paying tribute to their roots while pushing songwriting and performance to new peaks.

The quartet – soon to be heard, believe it or not, on a forthcoming S.O.D. tribute album with Clutch, Marilyn Manson, Anthrax, etc. – entered the studio early this year, working with a team that included longtime friend and punk rock icon Dave Smalley in the role of co-producer and Water Music chief and mentor Rob Grenoble as co-producer/engineer. The track "Adoring" was produced by and the entire record mixed by John Agnello, known for his work with Dinosaur Jr., Screaming Trees, Chavez, Murder City Devils, and Jawbox.

Founded in 1986, American Standard performed their debut gig in Washington, D.C. in 1987 at the famed Fort Reno concert park as part of a Positive Force-assembled bill. Operating throughout the late-’80s as a key unit within the East Coast’s melody-driven post-hardcore scene, American Standard grabbed nationwide attention in 1988 with the release of their debut – and now classic – album, Wonderland.

Three years ago, the long out-of-print vinyl prize was given a CD re-release via Another Planet and the Bill Dolan-owned Maggadee Records label. "Their music was hard and aggressive, but without the high testosterone count," wrote Al Quint of Suburban Voice in the album’s new liner notes, one of many glowing testimonials.

"American Standard is part of who I am and I have confidence in that", adds Bill. "We didn’t start this band to make money or to have it as an occupation. It was the same with the bands around us at the start... and sure, that has certainly changed for a lot of people. But for us, sticking to our original inspiration of getting together has allowed us a lot of freedom. That said, we can get on any bill today and kick ass. We many never be the flavor of the month, but we’re the real thing."