Understand

Understand, an alternative rock band, originated in Southend, Essex, England during 1992, emerging after the dissolution of the local ensemble Stand Off, whose other participants Hallam Foster and Tony Maddocks later collaborated with Above All. The lineup featured Dom Anderson handling vocals, John Hannon and Rob Coleman on guitars, Stuart Quinnell on bass, and Andy Shepherd on drums. They upheld the ‘straight edge’ principles of abstaining from alcohol and narcotics that Stand Off had promoted, drawing musical inspiration predominantly from American sources. Fugazi, prominent figures in the ‘emo-core’ (emotional hardcore) and straight edge movements, served as their primary influence. In 1994, they cut their initial self-titled EP alongside the established hardcore producer Don Fury at his facility, yet it did not receive favorable critical attention, in contrast to earlier positive responses to their demo recordings and performances. Their first full-length release on EastWest Records, titled Burning Bushes And Burning Bridges, achieved greater success. Chris Sheldon, renowned for producing Therapy?’s Troublegum, oversaw its creation, resulting in a more controlled and forceful presentation of their material. Among the tracks gaining significant notice were ‘Southend’, honoring their coastal hometown, and ‘The Rudeness We Encounter’, which advocated for the revival of politeness, a longstanding traditional English value.