Battalion Of Saints
Battalion of Saints was an American hardcore punk band formed in San Diego, California, in 1980. Known for an aggressive, high-speed style, the group became a fixture in Southern California’s punk underground, forging a reputation through relentless touring, a raw sound, and ferocious live shows. Despite numerous lineup changes, Battalion of Saints consistently delivered fast, heavy, and disruptive music, drawing attention from fans and critics alike.
Early Formation and Initial Lineups (1980–1984)
Founded in 1980, Battalion of Saints coalesced around vocalist George Anthony, alongside various early members who shaped the band’s raw approach to hardcore. Throughout their initial years, the group weathered continual lineup shifts, cycling through a host of drummers, bassists, and guitarists. In 1984, the band reached a form of stability—if only temporarily—consisting of George Anthony on vocals, Chris Smith on guitar, James Cooper on bass, and Joey Wrecked (also credited as Maya) on drums. Together, they embarked on tours across the United States and Canada, delivering the band’s trademark frenetic sets. Halfway through the 1985 summer tour, the group’s road manager, Captain Scarlett (David Lloyd), replaced James Cooper on bass, underscoring the fluid nature of their membership during this era.
1985 Breakup and Later Revival (1985–1995)
Following extensive touring, Battalion of Saints officially broke up in 1985. Vocalist George Anthony spearheaded a re-formation of the band a decade later in 1995, teaming up with Terry “Tezz” Roberts—a veteran from British bands such as Discharge, Broken Bones, and U.K. Subs—and signing to Taang! Records. During that time, Taang! reissued much of the band’s back catalogue on the compilation CD Death-R-Us. This iteration of the group provided fans with a renewed sense of the Battalion’s relentless energy, backed by an updated lineup and re-packaged recordings.
Mid-1990s Iteration and European Touring
By late 1996, George Anthony assembled a new line-up composed of Jason Graham, Mike (Wingnut) Clingerman, and Richard G. White. The band recorded a cover of Alice Cooper’s “Muscle of Love” and an original track titled “I Don’t Know (Hit the Bricks),” both released via Taang! Records. Battalion of Saints then embarked on a European tour— their first venture overseas since the band’s founding—a journey that exposed international audiences to their unyielding brand of hardcore punk.
Early 2000s and Evolving Membership
Throughout the early 2000s and into 2012, Battalion of Saints continued playing shows around Southern California, featuring a lineup that included members Mike Shock, Mike Monster, Gearbox, and original vocalist George Anthony. However, in April 2012, Anthony overhauled the band again, bringing in John Hatfield as lead guitarist, Thrashley on rhythm guitar, Matthew Vicknair on bass, and Mike Vega on drums. This infusion of fresh talent allowed the group to revisit older material, adding rarely performed tracks back into live sets. After local dates, they embarked on a summer West Coast tour in 2012 with support from 13 Scars, and subsequently played a steady string of shows alongside D.I., Naked Aggression, Fang, Poison Idea, and others.
In 2015, Thrashley exited the band, and Battalion of Saints returned to a four-piece arrangement with a single guitar. That same year, the group released a self-titled 7-inch via Southern Lord, capturing the lineup of George Anthony (vocals), John Hatfield (guitar), Matt Vicknair (bass), and Mike Vega (drums). Hatfield left in late 2015, replaced by Nathan Javier on lead guitar. Originally scheduled to tour with Phobia and The Nomads, the band found itself forced to embark on a full US run solo after both opening acts dropped less than 24 hours before kickoff.
Final Tours and Disbandment (2017–2019)
In 2017, Battalion of Saints completed the “If It Kills Us” tour across the US with The Cryptics, featuring new drummer Tino Valpa, plus fill-ins Mike Avilez on bass and Steve Porter on guitar. A year later, the band ventured to Europe for a three-week summer tour, hitting festival slots like Rebellion, Bloodstains, and Ieper. George Anthony and Tino Valpa joined by Mike Cantrell on guitar and Dylan DeCarlo on bass, representing Battalion of Saints’ first overseas performances since 1996. However, amid internal strife, the band quietly disbanded in 2019, ending nearly four decades of intermittent activity.
Discography and Reissues
Over time, Battalion of Saints produced a series of singles, EPs, and albums with a raw and propulsive style. Their early releases, including Fighting Boys (1982) and Second Coming (1983), showcased the band’s urgent hardcore approach. They followed up with Death-R-Us on Taang!—a CD that pulled together most of their discography, minus a handful of tracks. In 2018, Pine Hill Records issued a three-LP set titled Complete Discography, retracing the group’s scattered output. Notable singles include:
- Fighting Boys 12″ (Nutron