Man Afraid - Discography

Man Afraid were a Minnesota based hardcore band that existed in the mid-90s. They put out two EPs and a couple songs appearing on compilations around that time. I came across both 7" EPs, Uphill Struggle (1995) and Those Disenchanted (1996), while living in Columbus, OH around 2003 at Used Kids Records store. Really liked what I heard both lyrically and musically, and decided to do a little research into the band. I was a bit taken aback to find that the lead singer, Mike Griffin, had taken his own life in the Autumn of 1996, battling major depression. The band ended its existence at that time, but did release this discography in 2000. The band played the majority of their shows in Minnesota, with a few minor tours/ventures to nearby cities and the east coast.

The music was often straightforward, but distinct to me was the pace of the songs. It's pretty much non-stop, a force driving through each song. This is created by both the typical chord progressions one would expect in this style of music, but also a consistent and solid rhythm from the bass and drums. Most of all it was the lyrics and themes presented within. Mike Griffin brought a biting political edge to the band, and because the target of his words was consistent throughout the majority of songs written, the points made and depth of the argument made that much more of an impression. Griffin drawing from his experience and disenchanted feelings about the U.S. military, promotes a critical stance toward how military force and coercion impact the human being, both within the military and upon those subject to the military force. His impassioned voice discerns this from mere punk rock anti-establishment lip service, and helps to provoke an element of urgency.


Man Afraid - "Dedication"

Beginning with an audio clip of governmental propaganda imploring to give up "personal ambitions" and sacrifice for the country. As the music comes in, we see another distinct element of the band, that being use of supporting vocals and lead vocals in play with each other and layered at times. Sometimes these layers work in unison, adding emphasis to the words, other times they run different parallel lines of lyrics adding complexity where it appears. The music on "Dedication" drives hard through the song, until about a minute and twenty seconds in, where the beat is hardened, a guitar and vocal only part builds with backing vocals added and drums and bass joining in to close out the song. Harkening back to the disenchantment mentioned above, Griffin's lyrics point directly to his realization of the motives behind military action and his questioning of the propaganda on the surface.

I was such an eager little kid, bred on excess raised to win, somehow I never wondered if, I'd rather not die blindly, inspired by the ethos or the myth, of a state that has to win, and there could be no question if, I'd rather not die blindly, I'm getting out from under all the years, that you bought me off with nostalgia, and boy scout badges that never gave me anything back, I gave up everything at 17 that I had to give, to defend property in the name of something else,...

Man Afraid - "Cemetery Ridge"

"Cemetery Ridge" sits as likely Griffin's most personal written song lyrically, and also my favorite Man Afraid song. Interestingly slow at the beginning, leading into a minor build up. The music flows from a faster pace to a slower groove allowing some drum fills and rolls accenting biting lyrics. A strong build up of guitar and drums leads back into the driving part of and conclusion of the song with Griffin voicing the following lyrics:

you said you'd never sell yourself.
were we really young and stupid?
am I really crazy?
how could all those empty victories
amount to so much more?
watching friends go by.
losing another battle deep inside.
some things are better left unsaid.

It was by luck that I had happend upon those two 7" records, and took a chance (I think I had confused them with Man is the Bastard or something, in my search at the record store that day) on them. I'm certainly grateful that I did, as I still find an appreciation of it today. An unfortunately short-lived band, but an important one none the less, and worthy of more exposure. Some more information about the band can be found at this link here and of course the band's website through Half-Mast Records linked above and here.