Unsane (band)

Unsane
Unsane playing live on October 16, 2007
Background information
Origin	New York City, United States
Genres	Noise rock,post-hardcore,alternative metal
Years active	1988–2000, 2003–present
Labels	Matador, Amphetamine Reptile, Relapse, Ipecac, Alternative Tentacles
Associated acts	A Storm of Light, The Cutthroats 9, J.J. Paradise Players Club
Members	Chris Spencer Dave Curran Vincent Signorelli
Past members	Pete Shore Charlie Ondras

Unsane is an influential noise rock trio that formed in New York City in 1988. Their music also touches on elements of hardcore punk and metal. Writer Patrick Kennedy writes that "while developing the blueprint for noise-metal bands to follow, Unsane cut a remarkable swath through underground music, inspiring a devoted, cult-like following around the globe."

In 1988, singer/guitarist Chris Spencer, bass guitarist Pete Shore and drummer Charlie Ondras were students at Sarah Lawrence College when they formed as Lawn-Chair-Blisters before changing their name to Unsane. The band signed to Circuit Records and recorded tracks with Wharton Tiers for what was supposed to be their first album Improvised Munitions, but the label ended up never releasing it. Chris Spencer revealed in an interview that around this time, Unsane didn't play in front of audiences until 1990.

Unsane became part of the scene of loud, noisy, like-minded rock groups in New York City's East Village in the early 1990s. They often played gigs with bands like Pussy Galore, Cop Shoot Cop, Surgery, Helmet and the Reverb Motherfuckers. Members of Unsane concurrently played in other bands such as Boss Hog and the Action Swingers.

The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1991 and was known for its harsh music and gruesome cover art which was a photo of a decapitated man on a New York city subway track wearing a Members Only jacket. The band obtained this photograph from a friend who was working with the local police department at the time, who were investigating the scene of the accident.