Ignite

Ignite is a melodic hardcore band from Orange County, California, formed in 1993. Their sound sits within hardcore punk, punk and punk rock, and their lyrics are often socially and politically aware. The group has also been closely associated with the straight edge scene, in part because of past members who follow that ethos.

Band history

Ignite release their breakthrough album, Scarred For Life, in 1994 on Lost & Found Records. In 1997 they record a split CD with the Portuguese straight edge band X-Acto, after which they become more widely recognised in the European hardcore scene. The band signs with Abacus Recordings, a Century Media subsidiary, and later releases Our Darkest Days through that label.

Style and themes

The band’s music is rooted in melodic hardcore and hardcore punk, with punk rock elements. Their songs frequently deal with social and political issues rather than personal or purely fictional themes.

Activism and support

Ignite support a number of organisations and direct proceeds to causes including Earth First, Doctors Without Borders, Sea Shepherd, AMI and Pacific Wildlife. Zoli Téglás, the Hungarian lead singer, has a brother who is a wildlife preservation veterinarian.

Members

Members associated with the group include Zoli Téglás, Craig Anderson, Brian Balchack, Joe D. Foster, Nik Hill, Casey Jones and Brett Rasmussen.