Flag of Democracy (often abbreviated as F.O.D.) is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1982 and originally from Ambler, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. The group plays a mixture of melodic punk, frequently with two-part vocal lines, and noisy, dissonant hardcore, often at extreme speeds. The band never attained commercial success, but enjoys popularity in certain underground circuits, particularly in Europe. They were referenced in lyric by fellow Philadelphia-area rock group the Dead Milkmen in the songs "Nutrition" and "Milkmen Stomp."

History

Formed in 1982, the band played its first show with Minor Threat and Agnostic Front, and would go on to share the stage with thousands of other groups. Singer and guitarist Jim McMonagle first formed the band with bassist Zeke Zagar and drummer Mike Giannone, although Zagar was replaced after a few months by Dave Rochon. Zagar later formed the Philadelphia skate punk band McRad.

Flag of Democracy's debut 7" Love Songs was released in 1984 on Philadelphia's Speed Of Sound Records. It was followed two years later with the debut LP, Shatter Your Day. In this same year Giannone was replaced by Michigan-based drummer Bob Walker, completing the group's lineup that has lasted over 25 years.

This was followed by extensive touring and the release of the 23, Down with People, Schneller! (a live record), Hate Rock and Everything Sucks albums, the latter four on the German label Bitzcore Records. Several European tours saw Rochon substituted with temporary bassists. For their 2000 album FOD World, the band worked with Philadelphia-area label Creep Records. Their most recently recorded album, Home Lobotomy Kit, had been tied up in complications and awaiting release since 2005, but finally saw the light of day on Mother Box records in 2010.

On November 30, 2007, F.O.D. played their 25th Anniversary Show in Philadelphia at the First Unitarian Church.In 2012 the band started reissuing and remastering their back catalog on SRA Records. The first installment is Shatter Your Day, which has been expanded to a double LP containing their entire output from Giannone's four-year tenure.

Band members

Timeline