A Hopeless Motive

A Hopeless Motive is an American street punk band from Virginia, USA. The band was formed in 2001 under the name The Monumentals by lead guitarist Jett Bell and drummer Jake Manget. While going through numerous evolutions, rhythm guitarist Ryan Kerley and bassist Paul Bennis joined in 2002, eventually followed by singer Kyle Smith in 2005. Drummer Jake Manget was replaced by Sam Karr in 2005 due to complications.

History

The Early Years

While attending Western Branch Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia, Jett Bell and Jake Manget bought MusicAL equipment at a yard sale and decided to start a musical group. Temporarily enlisting Bell's brother John, the group made a brief recording which was only released to a small audience. Bell and Manget recruited singer Kenny Parker, a member of the school choir, as well as Colin Brady to play bass. Later that year, under the name The Monumentals, they performed at the school's annual talent show, and recorded an LP featuring four original songs.

The Monumentals

Complications arose between Brady, Parker, and the rest of the band. An engagement for a performance with a competitor band Strike Out caused the group to terminate Brady and Parker, who were replaced by Strike Out's bassist/vocalist Paul Bennis. This lineup would be considered the first major make-up of the band.

A New Anonymous Club

During this period, the demonstrative record A New Anonymous Club: Fall 2002 Demo was produced, featuring the following tracks:

1. Let It Go
2. Defy Authority (originally titled [...] Authority)
3. A New Anonymous Club
4. Unemployed
5. Concept (Amidala)
6. Falling In Love (NOFX cover)

The EP was colloquially referred to as ANAC. The album was recorded in the bedroom of singer Paul Bennis when he was 16 years old.

A Hopeless Motive

The group decided to move towards a more aggressive sound, and recruited singer Josh Gurganus to replace Bennis, leaving him to play bass and sing backup vocals. Within three months, Justin Damweber, the singer of a competitor group (the original A Hopeless Motive), would be enlisted as a dual singer with Gurganus.

Gurganus eventually defected for personal reasons, leaving Damweber as the sole vocalist. At this point, the group discovered the title The Monumentals was in use by another east coast musical group, and decided to absord the title of Damweber's former quintet. This is known as the second major grouping of the band.

War, What For?

During this time, the full length LP War, What For? was produced, featuring title track War, What For?, as well as cult classics such as Let It Go and Defy Authority. Eight new tracks were devised for the release of this album, which debuted formally on April 7, 2006, celebrated by a release show in Nags Head, North Carolina. The album was recorded at Double-O Records Studios in Newport News, Virginia.

The band continued to play events that summer to promote the album, in spite of the fact of known issues on the horizon. Drummer Jake Manget was rumoured to have a child on the way, which would most likely interfere with his ability to coordinate with the band's schedule. Manget resigned in August 2006. Sam Karr was quickly adopted to fill the spot, and brought a double-pedal style beat to the melody.

Denouement

The group continued to play shows with notable punk rock acts, such as The Casuatlies, Leftover Crack, The Havoc, The Briefs, and others until Karr broke the news that he would attend higher education in Spain in 2007. The band would play its last show in Hackensack, New Jersey on January 20, 2007. The live performance is available for download from the band's website.

The group was in the process of recording their next demonstrative release Nuclear Fallout with Sam Karr at the time of the split. Three tracks from this release (Nuclear Fallout, Shadows, and Timeline) were leaked on the internet, as well as played at live performances during this time, although never released formally. The title song Nuclear Fallout is commonly referred to as the band's greatest work.

Discography

A New Anonymous Club (Independent)

1. Let it Go (3:18)
2. Defy Authority (2:34)
3. A New Anonymous Club (2:48)
4. Unemployed (1:46)
5. Concept (Admidala) (3:27)
6. Falling in Love (NOFX cover) (2:11)

War, What For? (Independent)

1. Let it Go (2:58)
2. Defy Authority (2:30)
3. The Strength of Our Rebellion (2:05)
4. I See Fire (2:26)
5. Goodbye, Clear World... (2:31)
6. War, What For? (1:18)
7. My Own Grenade (2:59)
8. I Can't Stand this [...] (2:37)
9. Break Your Shackles (3:29)
10. Punks for Life (2:54)

Nuclear Fallout (Unreleased)

1. Nuclear Fallout (2:56)
2. Timeline (3:29)
3. Shadows (4:04)

Trivia

• Their first song to receive radio airtime was The Strength of Our Rebellion off the War, What For? album on FM99 WNOR in Virginia.
• Although the first LP was titled War, What For?, Rusty Gun (of Tommy Gun) rendered the cover graphic to read War? What For?.
• The band often preaches anti-war and anti-government agendas. However, singer Justin Damweber enlisted in the United States Army shortly after recording War, What For?, and bassist Paul Bennis is currently a police officer.
• As The Monumentals, the track [...] Authority was retitled to Defy Authority due to a popular release by Pennywise that year of the same name.