Ignition

Ignition is an American post-hardcore group from Washington, D.C. Active from 1986 to 1989, the band forms part of the D.C. Dischord scene and is associated with the Fugazi, Rites of Spring and Dag Nasty strand of post-hardcore.

Formation and lineup

The group forms in the summer of 1986 when vocalist Alec MacKaye, previously of the Untouchables and The Faith, reunites with former Faith bandmate Chris Bald, who moves from bass to guitar. Bald has also played in Embrace. They are joined by bassist Chris Thomson, who sometimes also plays saxophone, and drummer Dante Ferrando, whose earlier bands include Iron Cross and Gray Matter.

Releases

Ignition debuts with the singles Sinker and Anger Means in early 1988. Later that year the band releases its first album, Machination. It also contributes a track to the Dischord benefit compilation State of the Union. A later EP, The Orafying Mysticle of..., appears in early 1990 and marks the end of the group.

After the band

After Ignition ends, Chris Thomson goes to college in Wisconsin, fronts Circus Lupus there, and later forms Monorchid and Skull Kontrol. Alec MacKaye performs with the Warmers in the mid-1990s. A compilation of the band’s complete discography, Complete Services, is released in 1994.