Nausea was an American crust punk band from New York City, active from 1985–1992. Nausea is usually cited as being integral in the rise of American crust punk, a fusion of anarcho-punk and extreme metal styles.

Like many anarcho-punk bands of the period, Nausea incorporated both male and female vocalists. They were involved in the New York City Lower East Side squatting community. Their earlier sound with singers Amy Miret and Neil Robinson was in the vein of traditional hardcore punk. After Robinson's departure in 1988, he was replaced by Al Long and the band began to experiment with a darker, heavier sound. Robinson went on to form the bands Jesus Crust and Final Warning, as well as start Tribal War Records.

Lyrics and musical style

Nausea's apocalyptic lyrics and artwork were influenced by the sociopolitical issues of the day, such as the Reagan Administration, the US-USSR Cold War, and threats of nuclear war with the USSR. Nausea focused on topics such as environmentalism, human extinction, pollution, and animal rights.Nausea progressed from a metallic hardcore punk band to being more of a thrash metal band during its later years with new singer Al Long. The band broke new ground for the emerging crust punk genre, flirting with doom metal, d-beat, noise rock and sludge.

Band member John John Jesse describes their music by citing bands such as Discharge, Black Sabbath, Slayer, and Pink Floyd. In their formative years, the founding members were compelled by the political and social messages that the band Crass would use to drive their music; their lyrics reflected their views on feminism, anti-racism, class conflict, and the opposition against war.

Later line-up

Nausea's final line-up was: John John Jesse (bass), Victor Venom (guitar, ex-Reagan Youth), Amy Miret (vocals), Al Long (vocals), and Roy Mayorga (drums). John John Jesse has gone on to become an artist, as well as joining with members of Choking Victim in the band Morning Glory. Roy Mayorga went on to play with Shelter, Soulfly, Maggott SS (featuring members of Electric Frankenstein and Degeneration), ABLOOM, Stone Sour, filling in for Igor Cavalera with Sepultura in 2006, and drumming for the reunited Amebix. Roy is currently on tour in 2016 with Ministry (band).

Popular culture

In Jackie Chan's film, Rumble in the Bronx, there is a punk seen wearing a leather jacket with 'Nausea' spray painted on the back.

Members

Al – vocals (1988–1992)

Amy Miret – vocals

Victor – guitar

John – bass

Roy Mayorga – drums (1989–1992)

Previous members

Neil – vocals (1985–1988)

Pablo Jacobson – drums (1985–1987)

Jimmy Williams – drums (1987–1988)