The Briefs

The Briefs are a punk rock band from Seattle, United States, active from 2000 to the present. The band’s line-up includes Chris Brief, Stevie Kicks, Lance Mercer and Steve E. Nix.

Style and background

The Briefs play punk music shaped by the Pacific Northwest independent punk and new wave scene, with influences from the Buzzcocks, The Undertones and the Adverts. Their songs draw on 1977-style punk themes, along with a mix of political criticism, love songs and humour. Their lyrics include attacks on the U.S. government and post-9/11 culture of fear, alongside deliberately off-kilter songs such as “Dolly Parton”.

Releases and activity

The group forms in Seattle in 2000 and releases its first full-length album, Hit After Hit, on Dirtnap Records. After the 2002 release Off The Charts, the band is courted by Interscope Records and reportedly signs with the label, although the deal does not happen. In 2004 the band appears on BYO Records with Sex Objects, along with reissues of its earlier Dirtnap full-lengths. Its later release Steal Yer Heart follows in 2005.

The Briefs also issue many 7-inch singles on small independent labels across their career. The single “Orange Alert” becomes known for its criticism of the Bush administration and the atmosphere of fear in the United States after 9/11. Other government-focused songs include “No More Presidents”, “Destroy The USA” and “We Americans”.

Line-up changes and related projects

The original line-up consists of Daniel J. Travanti on guitar and vocals, Steve E. Nix on guitar and vocals, Lance Romance on bass and vocals, and Chris Brief on drums and vocals. In 2004, Lance Romance misses a European tour and is replaced by bassist Steve Kicks of Vancouver’s New Town Animals. Lance later rejoins for the Sex Objects release party before leaving the band in 2005. Kicks becomes a permanent member and plays on Steal Yer Heart.

Steve E. Nix and Steve Kicks also perform together in Steve E. Nix and The Cute Lepers, a band that plays a similar style with added power pop elements. That group releases the 7-inch single “Terminal Boredom” backed with “Prove It” on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records.