Nausea was an American punk rock band from New York City, active from 1985 to 1992. They are cited as a notable band in the first wave of crust punk.

Prior to Nausea, guitarist Victor Dominicis played in the hardcore punk bands Hellbent and Sacrilege. Nausea were involved in the New York City Lower East Side squatting community. Their earlier sound with singers Amy Miret and Neil Robinson was in the vein of hardcore punk. After Robinson's departure, he was replaced by Al Long and the band began to experiment with darker, metal influences. Robinson went on to form the bands Jesus Crust and Final Warning, as well as start Tribal War Records.

Lyrics and musical style

Nausea's apocalyptic lyrics and artwork were influenced by the sociopolitical issues of the day, such as the Reagan Administration, the US-USSR Cold War, and threats of nuclear war with the USSR. Nausea focused on topics such as environmentalism, human extinction, pollution, and animal rights.

Nausea progressed from having a very Discharge styled hardcore punk sound, to in its later years with new singer Al Long, having a more dark and metallic sound, similar to UK bands like Amebix and Axegrinder. The band broke new ground for the emerging crust punk genre, flirting with doom metal, d-beat, noise rock and sludge.

Band member John John Jesse describes their music by citing bands such as Discharge, Black Sabbath, Slayer, and Pink Floyd as influences. In their formative years, the founding members were compelled by the political and social messages that the band Crass would use to drive their music; their lyrics reflected their views on feminism, anti-racism, class conflict, and the opposition against war.

Later lineup

Nausea's final lineup was: John John Jesse (bass), Victor Venom (guitar, ex-Reagan Youth), Amy Miret (vocals), Al Long (vocals), and Roy Mayorga (drums).

John John Jesse has gone on to become an artist, as well as joining with members of Choking Victim in the band Morning Glory.

Roy Mayorga went on to play with Shelter, Soulfly, Maggott SS (featuring members of Electric Frankenstein and Degeneration), ABLOOM, and Stone Sour. He also filled in for Igor Cavalera with Sepultura in 2006. Later on, Mayorga became a full-time member of Amebix when they reunited in 2008 and stayed with them until their second disbandment in 2012. In 2016, Roy toured with Ministry.

Popular culture

In Jackie Chan's film, Rumble in the Bronx, there is a punk seen wearing a leather jacket with 'Nausea' spray painted on the back.

Members

Al "Hoon" Long – vocals (1988–1992)

Amy Miret – vocals

Victor "Vic Venom" Dominicis – guitar

John John Jesse – bass

Roy Mayorga – drums (1989–1992)

Previous members

Brian Patton – drums (1985)

Neil Robinson – vocals (1985–1988)

Pablo Jacobson – drums (1985–1987)

Jimmy Williams – drums (1987–1988)