Mindwar

MINDWAR was formed in New Britain in 1990 after front man AJ “the Owlman” graduated from High School. While going to school at Central Connecticut State University, AJ would meet brothers Brian and Chris Roy (both formerly of BENT), who would later help form this early 90's hardcore band from Hard Hitten New Britain.

While still a senior in high school, Desi Kensel (now of High On Fire) would start jamming out with the three on drums. The four would later write Mindwar singles “Lost” and “Empty Inside” and jam for hours on the two songs at Desi’s house. Shortly after Desi moved to New York City to attend college, and Mindwar would tryout a few drummers until they found Joe Protosevich at CCSU. Joe would play with the band for about a year, until Desi came back to rejoin his brothers in Mindwar.

Around 1992, Brian Roy moved to New Haven to work a job and shortly after the rest of the band would follow. Over the next two years Mindwar would play shows until XNO Records of Germany would sign them. With XNO offering 100% tour support they soon were off to Europe for their first European Tour and to record the album “Degeneration”. Previous recordings were done in Connecticut, which included their first demo and a split 7” with Evolve on Round to Round Records (Pete Morcey & Mark Martin’s Label in CT)

Over the next few years Mindwar would party hard and non-stop and with front man AJ being in and out of rehabs, Mindwar decided to call it quits in 1996. With Mindwar calling it quits the band still hangs onto all the memories. AJ would later stated that he “Still wishes it could have worked out differently, but to restart and play those songs is still his one true heart's desire”.

Mindwar’s last show was in 1996 at Toads Place in New Haven. At the end of the set their friend Budzy would yell out “We love you” and in response AJ would re-insure his love for everyone in Connecticut and hardcore by responding “We love you all too!” Still to this day, those words stand true with AJ saying: “I do love all the people that I hung out with and met during those very special times. Thank you and I love you all more than you can know.”

Over the course of their existence, Mindwar has shared the stage with Jasta 14, Evolve, Arise, Dismay, Frostbite, Shelter, Higher Force, and 108. They remember playing many shows at the Tune Inn, Rosie O Grady’s later known as the Boiler Room. They also played a show in Europe shortly after the Berlin Wall came down and were apparently the first band from America and people were freaking out to see a band from America play in their little village. AJ remembers: “When we got out of the van there was a camera crew there from the local news. it was fuckin' weird. I was signing autographs and shit. Too weird. Apparently we were on the news that night. Someone recorded it, but I never actually saw the footage.” They also played a show in Berlin, Germany with Murphy’s Law and Jingo De Lunch in front of 6000 people.

Mindwar was influenced by such great bands as Helmet, Crawlpappy, Ginmill, Big Black, Bauhaus, Black Sabbath, and Joy Division. Mindwar’s lyrics were also influenced by some great authors such as Hunter S. Thompson, Herbert Huncke, William Burroughs, and Irvin Wels.

Members:
A.J. - Vocals
Chris Roy - Guitar
Brian Daniel Roy - Bass
Des Kensel - Drums