Characterized by intricate, mathematically precise arrangements, clever wordplay, nonstop roadwork, and a self-reliant approach that produced numerous tracks for various compilations and 7-inch releases in addition to their LPs, Braid emerged as a quintessential Midwestern emo band of the 1990s. Their demanding itinerary eventually forced an end to activities not long after issuing their acclaimed third album, Frame and Canvas, in 1998, yet a 2011 reunion restored the group on a lasting basis. Live performances and occasional new material, among them 2014’s No Coast, followed from that point onward.
Drummer and vocalist Bob Nanna, previously of Friction, ran a classified notice in Maximum Rocknroll seeking tape-trading partners and connected with Roy Ewing of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, during 1993. That autumn Nanna, then a University of Illinois freshman in Champaign-Urbana, began spending time with Ewing, a member of Lowercase N. Nanna’s acquaintance, guitarist Pete Havranek of 42 Loads and Inkadink, sought fresh collaborators, prompting Ewing to offer his services. Nanna assumed vocal and guitar duties while Jay Ryan handled bass, giving birth to Braid. Ryan soon departed to join Hubcap and Dianogah; Todd Bell, another Lowercase N alumnus, took over on bass. Kate Reuss was added on vocals, and the band’s debut performance occurred on December 10, 1993, in Danville, Illinois. Reuss exited following the second concert.
Substantial shifts then occurred. With the dissolution of Nanna’s other band Friction, Braid ceased functioning as a side project. Chris Broach entered as vocalist. Havranek departed in August 1994, after which Broach switched to guitar. One week later the group tracked the “Rainsnowmatch” 7", issued that December on Enclave Records. Their first full-length, Frankie Welfare Boy Age 5, appeared in June 1995 via Divot Records, followed by the sophomore effort The Age of Octeen in 1996. Ewing exited in March 1997. Damon Atkinson, formerly of Figurehead, joined the spring tour and remained as drummer. Frame and Canvas emerged in April 1998 on Polyvinyl Records; although the label had previously supported Braid with several singles, this marked their initial album together and rapidly turned into one of their best-known works. Continued touring preceded the August 1999 breakup. Posthumous documents Lucky to Be Alive and the two-volume Movie Music collection, compiling scattered compilation, single, and miscellaneous tracks, surfaced in spring 2000.
Following the split, members pursued separate endeavors. Nanna launched the City on Film and later reunited with Bell and Atkinson in Hey Mercedes. Broach devoted full attention to his Firebird Band project while founding Lucid Records. Braid reconvened for a single summer tour in 2004, then reassembled more permanently in 2011 with the EP Closer to Closed on Polyvinyl. Occasional concerts ensued, including their 600th performance on December 22, 2011, at Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom, where plans for a new album were announced. That project reached completion after several years; No Coast arrived in July 2014 on Top Shelf Records. The two-song single “Kids Get Grids” appeared shortly afterward in 2015.
