M.I.A. (Punk)

Forged in the desert of Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980, M.I.A. migrated the next year to Southern California, becoming part of the OC punk scene with their own brand of melodic hardcore that evolved over four studio albums. In 1981 the band recorded a nine-song demo. One song from the session appeared on the classic compilation Not So Quiet on the Western Front (Alternative Tentacles), another on the seminal American Youth Report compilation (Bomp/Invasion); the rest landed on the split LP Last Rights for Genocide and MIA (Smoke Seven). After a 1983 show supporting the Dead Kennedys, the band made a deal with Jello Biafra to release their next LP, Murder in a Foreign Place, on Alternative Tentacles (1984). With two interim national tours, Notes From the Underground was the 1985 followup, recorded with legendary producer Thom Wilson (National Trust). Their final album, After the Fact, was released in 1987 (Flipside), with another national tour. Singer Mike Conley died unexpectedly in 2008; original members Nick Adams (guitar, vocals), Paul Schwartz (bass, vocals) and Larz Pearson (drums) perform as a three piece.