Officer Negative is a Christian punk band from Ventura, California, United States. Formed in 1995 and initially disbanded in 2000, the band released two albums and an EP on Screaming Giant Records. They played "old-school" hardcore punk, and though their music never appeared in a polished form, it was said to "never hold back the passion." Following a period of reformation the band reappeared as "The Death Campaign" and toured until 2004, when the group split once again. In 2024, the band announced that they were reforming with a new lineup, and were in the process of writing a new record.

Background

1990s - First two albums / Screaming Giant Records

Their first album, Dead to the World (1997), drew influence from 80s/90s street punk and hardcore. It has been described as "angry punk" and likened to acts like Rancid, Black Flag, and Minor Threat. Their second release, Zombie Nation (1999), was mired in difficulties with their label. Its sound deviated from the band's hoped sound – to the point where its members would call it "not a true representation of the band." Also, several tracks were cut from the release; two were released the next year as a split EP with Lugnut. The third, called "Failure to Submit", was described by Chad Wiggins as "by far, one of the best songs we have ever written." It was this release which garnered the most attention for the band. The release included the album Live at the Roxy. Together, with the future of the band uncertain at best, HM Magazine referred to this release as the band's "swan song." In late 1999 the departure of bassist Casey Wisenbaker, along with the band's issues with Zombie, led to the dissolution of the band.

2000s - The Death Campaign

With the return of Wisenbaker in 2000, the band reformed with new members taking guitar and drums. Vocalist Chad Wiggins saw the reformation of the band as an opportunity to refocus the band on ministry. With this lineup they toured until about 2002, releasing an EP and an album. Their 2002 EP Control is an Illusion marked a notable shift towards a new symphonic death metal-based sound, leaving behind much of their original punk influence. The band rebranded themselves as The Death Campaign, eventually signing to Solid State Records and recording the full-length album which was later released as Officer Negative Presents The Death Campaign in 2004. In the summer of 2003, before the release of the album, the band asked lead vocalist Chad Wiggins to leave, intending for Casey Wisenbaker to take vocals, and hiring bass player Mark Popovich from an Officer Negative side project, the death metal band Akeldama. Within three months of Wiggins' departure, the band broke up.

Associated acts

Before the release of Zombie Nation, guitarist Josh Handley formed Zippy Josh and the Rag Tag Band, and released one album, Stupidville, in 1999. The album was essentially praise and worship music, and was described as "the Sex Pistols meet Bob Dylan." Allender and Wisenbaker joined a hardcore band called Hit the Deck, while Wisenbaker, Osborn, and Buli continued to work with Akeldama. Michael Dragon briefly pursued a career in professional skateboarding.

Present day

In July of 2024, the band announced that they were reforming, with a new lineup, and were in the process of writing a new record. They are slated to perform their first show with this new lineup at JCHC Fest 2024.

Discography

Studio albums Splits and EPs Live albums

Members

Current line-up Former members