Modern Life Is War

Modern Life Is War

Modern Life Is War is an American hardcore punk band from Marshalltown, United States. The group forms in 2002 and remains active, with a lineup that includes Jeffrey Eaton, Harm Haverman and Brad Highnam. Its sound sits across hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, post-hardcore and punk.

Style and live reputation

The band is known for an intense live approach and for a melodic hardcore style that often avoids standard song structures. It also largely leaves out breakdowns, which sets it apart from many bands in the wider hardcore scene.

Releases and labels

Modern Life Is War begins its recorded output with a self-titled 7-inch EP on Lifeline Records in 2002. It follows with the studio albums My Love. My Way. in 2003 and Witness in 2005, both later available through Deathwish Inc., the label run by Converge singer Jacob Bannon. Its third full-length album, Midnight in America, comes out in 2007 on Equal Vision Records. The band’s fourth studio album, Fever Hunting, is released through Deathwish in 2013 and is produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge.

Line-up changes and activity

During the middle of 2005, after Witness, guitarist Matt Hoffman and bassist Chris Honeck leave the band and are replaced by Sjarm 13 and Tim Churchman. Modern Life Is War then announces a split in early 2008 and plans a final American tour that starts in Milwaukee and ends with a hometown date in Marshalltown. The original lineup reunites in 2012, writes new material in John Eich’s basement, and formally confirms the reunion in 2013.

Later reunion period

When the reunion is announced, the band does not expect to tour heavily and is booked only for This Is Hardcore Festival and a record release show. Fever Hunting follows, and the group plays a six-date tour in support of the album in October 2013.