American Football

American Football, originating from Urbana, Illinois, was initially active from 1997 to 2000. The band was formed by guitarist, bassist, and singer Mike Kinsella, guitarist Steve Holmes, and drummer and trumpet player Steve Lamos. Kinsella and Holmes first met at Wheeling High School. Kinsella, before American Football, was involved with acts like Cap’n Jazz and Joan of Arc. Lamos had played with The One Up Downstairs. In 1997, Kinsella and Lamos began collaborating under “The One Up Downstairs” before teaming up with Holmes to form American Football. The band released its self-titled debut EP in 1998, followed by their self-titled debut album in 1999 through Polyvinyl Records. Despite their brief initial run, their debut album earned significant critical acclaim and developed a strong cult following, becoming a cornerstone record in the emo and math rock scenes.

After their initial disbandment due to members pursuing personal interests and other musical projects, American Football reformed in 2014. This reunion saw Mike’s cousin, Nate Kinsella, join the band on bass, making it a four-piece. The reformation was announced with a deluxe reissue of their debut album, which included previously unreleased demos and live recordings. This led to sold-out shows in Champaign and New York, and subsequent tours across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. In 2016, they released their second self-titled album, LP2, a full seventeen years after their debut, maintaining their signature sound while expanding their lyrical themes. The album’s cover famously featured the interior of the house from their first album cover, which had become an iconic landmark for fans.

The band continued their active phase in 2019 with the release of their third self-titled album, LP3, which introduced collaborations with artists such as Hayley Williams of Paramore. In 2021, Steve Lamos temporarily departed due to life changes but rejoined in 2023. A notable milestone occurred in May 2023 when the band jointly purchased the iconic “American Football House” from their debut album cover with Polyvinyl Records, ensuring its preservation. Over their career, American Football has been recognized for blending emo with math rock elements, characterized by intricate guitar work, complex time signatures, and introspective lyrics. Their influence on subsequent emo and indie rock bands is considerable.