Majority Rule (band)

Majority Rule formed in 1996 as a four-piece. While they initially performed fairly straightforward hardcore punk, they gained more recognition after transitioning towards screamo.[1] In a 2003 interview, frontmant Matt Michel called this transition "a natural change".[2] The band's early releases were: splits with Positive State, Turbine, and the Blackout Terror; the EPs Majority Rule (1999) and Songs (2000); and debut studio album Half the Battle (1996).

In 2001, Majority Rule's lineup stabilized as a three-piece—comprising guitarist and vocalist Matt Michel, bassist and vocalist Kevin Lamiell, and drummer Pat Broderick—and they released their second album Interviews with David Frost. A year later, they it was followed by a split album with fellow Virginia band Pg. 99, titled Document #12. In 2003, the band released its final album Emergency Numbers before breaking up in 2004. In a 2005 interview, Michel said: "I just think we all have some pretty different ideas on why the band had to end and when the band really ended."[3]

In 2017 Majority Rule reunited to play a string of benefit shows across the Eastern United States with Pg. 99 and City of Caterpillar (a band which Broderick had also played drums in).[4] Michel stated that they decided to join after seeing City of Caterpillar and Malady perform and being contacted by Pg. 99 vocalist Chris Taylor.[5] These initial shows quickly sold out and raised over $36,000 for local non-profits.[6][7]

In 2019, Pg 99 and Majority Rule reunited to tour the West Coast with Portrayal of Guilt.[8] They repeated their success, selling out all dates and raising over $28,000 for local grassroots organizations (according to a statement posted on Majority Rule's website).[9]