Pageninetynine, sometimes written Pg.99, was a hardcore band from Sterling, Virginia active through the late 90s into the early 2000s. They have since gotten back together to play shows in 2011 and again currently. The band released an extensive amount of music including many splits with other bands and was featured on a number of compilations. Members of Pageninetynine were also in City Of Caterpillar, Pygmy Lush and Enemy Soil.
Pageninetynine was one of the most prolific "screamo" hardcore bands of their time and became one of the more well-known in the genre and for good reason. Their music has a chaotic energy to it that is unmatched. The band has switched some members here and there but has consistently remained a massive band, currently featuring ten members. Their live shows are incredible to see and I've always found it impressive how so many musicians can stay so in sync with each other and somehow match the same energy.
Pageninetynine's music ebbs and flows between melodic, almost post-rock-influenced to gut-wrenchingly heavy and frantic. Their vocal style has a distinct sense of anxious anticipation and almost sounds desperate at times before erupting into throat-shredding shrieks over chaotic instrumentals. Because they have always had such a large band, they are able to create a sound that really is unlike any other with multiple guitar and bass players and two vocalists.
Pageninetynine's politically driven, passionate lyrics along with their powerful sound make them one of the bands that stand out to me as having that punk mindset that should be the driving force behind this music.
I recently had the pleasure of seeing them play live two nights in a row and it was genuinely breathtaking. Being the first band from the 90s emo scene I've been able to see live, it really left a lasting impression on me. Even now, long after most of their music was released, every band member still has that energy that makes them so good. Seeing all ten members play together on a tiny stage, sounding just as great as their recorded work is something that will stick with me for a long time.
Waifle / Pg.99 - Do You Need A Place To Stay? split 12" 2001 (Magic Bullet Records, Amendment Records)
Document #7 12"/CD 2001 (Happy Couples Never Last Recordings, Magic Bullet Records, Yr Screaming Youth, Dark Operative)
Document #8 200110"/12"/CD/Tape 2001 (Electric Human Project, Robotic Empire, Scene Police, Sharapov Sound System, Old Skool Kids, Persistent Vision)
Pageninetynine / Majority Rule - Document #12 12"/CD 2002 (Magic Bullet Records)
Document #4 6" 1999 (Robodog Records)
Pageninetynine / Reactor No.7 - Document #3 7" 1999 (Robodog Records, Catechism Records)
Enemy Soil / Pageninetynine - Obsequious / Document #2 7" 1999 (Sacapuntas)
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