JUSTICE LEAGUE
Pomona, CA-based hardcore band Justice League formed in late 1983, taking early inspiration from hardcore bands such as Minor Threat, SSD, Negative Approach and became known as one of the first wave of California straight edge bands. Founded by original bassist (and later guitarist) Ryan Hoffman and guitarist Ted Edeson, the band also launched with vocalist Trevor Raham, who performed at a handful of parties and shows into early 1984.
Raham was replaced by Jon Roa, re-creating the lineup of the quartet’s earlier skate punk band Diversion, formed before most members were old enough to drive. This lineup never did a formal studio recording but was featured on Flipside ‘Video #5′. Soon after, Edeson left the band, Hoffman moved to guitar, bassist John Godfrey was recruited, and the band played SoCal shows with the likes of Broken Bones, Battalion Of Saints, Uniform Choice. This lineup went to Mystic Studios to record the song ‘Attitude’ for the ‘Party Animal’ compilation, receiving considerable airplay on KROQ’s “Rodney on the Roq” show in Los Angeles. In February 1985, Edeson rejoined as lead guitarist and the band went into Casbah Studios to record and mix six songs in one night. The result was the ‘Think Or Sink’ 7”, released in November of that year on Fartblossom Records. In May 1985, Edeson left the band again and Marc Maxey replaced Godfrey on bass. Fred Mahintorabi joined on lead guitar and the band played shows all over California and Nevada through January 1986 with bands such as Social Distortion, NOFX, The Vandals, 7 Seconds, Youth Of Today, The Melvins, Government Issue, Dr. Know, Adrenalin OD, Agression, SNFU, Decry, Ill Repute.
By January 1986, Roa quit and was replaced by Casey Jones, the vocalist on the only Justice League full-length LP, ‘Shattered Dreams’, which was recorded in Spring 1986 and released in January 1987 on Fartblossom. LP featured a wide mix of styles, as the band started outgrowing their early hardcore influences and were listening to Hüsker Dü, Squirrel Bait, Rites Of Spring, Bauhaus, The Smiths. After the recording — but prior to the album release — Jones left and the band embarked on a six-week U.S. Summer tour (with all members now on vocals), which saw Justice League open East Coast shows for Descendents and Dag Nasty, as well as other shows with NOFX, Verbal Assault, MDC, Underdog, Soul Side, Doggy Style and Mission Impossible (featuring a then 16-year-old Dave Grohl on drums).
Chris Bratton replaced original drummer Skip Turner after the tour, and the band continued a heavy schedule of live shows, including the second show ever at the legendary 924 Gilman in Berkeley, CA. In Spring 1987, the band recorded the ‘Reach Out’ EP, which was released in October 1987. During these sessions, Maxey emerged as the “primary” vocalist. Kevin Seconds offered to release these songs on his Positive Force Records label, manufactured and distributed by Dutch East India. 7 Seconds took Justice League out on a U.S. tour in the summer of 1987. Prior to hitting the road, Mahintorabi left and was replaced by Mat Baker, and bassist John McKeown was added with Maxey moving solely to vocals (and occasional rhythm guitar). One notable show in Boston had an early version of The Lemonheads opening.
After the tour, the band went on hiatus and returned for one last show in March of 1988 with a revamped lineup of Roa, Hoffman, Mahintorabi and Bratton. Hoffman and Bratton then formed the band Chain Of Strength, named after a popular Justice League song.
