Gothic Theatre

The Angst

Formed in Denver by brothers Joe Pope (bass, vocals) and Jon E. Risk (guitar, vocals), Angst relocated to San Francisco with drummer Michael Hursey in tow, where they inked a deal with SST by virtue of a self-titled EP released in 1983. The band’s eclectic style worked elements of country, dance/funk, blues, and pop into an overall framework of post-punk alternative rock. They began to combine this with a growing political consciousness on their first full-length, 1985’s Lite Life. Improved vocal harmonies marked the 1986 follow-up, Mending Wall. Producer Vitus Mataré was brought in for 1987’s Mystery Spot to help the band flesh out its sound; unfortunately, the beefed-up arrangements and catchier melodies were lost in a poorly recorded murk. Hursey left the band at this point and was replaced by Andy Kaps for 1988’s Cry Happy, which duplicated its predecessor’s approach, except that the sound quality was much improved. However, it happened to be Angst’s final testament, as the band broke up soon afterwards.