2006–2007 After the collapse of controversial,
experimental Santa Ana Art
electropunk band
Zoophilia, Kevin Hermes (Drums), and Kevin Rhea (Vocals) joined with John Cardwell (Guitar), whom they had worked with prior in the SCHS (Santa Claus Hypnosis Show). NSU starting as a Pyramid Scheme system, Punk crime group, and
Socio-political project. After a group viewing of
Videodrome and all having a connection that particular viewing, they then later played to what videodrome had influenced them to play that particular night. Two months later they became a
quartet and started playing shows in the
Southern California Area.
2008–2010 After continuous touring, their first release was a
self titled extended play on Gradual Limbo Records. NSU started to play more notable shows including the Smell's 10th anniversary, and a concert on a boat. This followed with a tour of the
Pacific Northwest with Okie Dokie a
Cal Arts band featuring a then student
Mikal Cronin. For much of the year NSU played numerous shows for
Sean Carnage Mondays,
Don Bolles' Club Ding-a-ling, as well as numerous warehouses, generator shows, and fringe venues. Despite the Reverb heavy punk movement of the Los Angeles scene NSU, had continued their abstract punk sound and played with many bands such as
xbxrx,
White Lung,
Shearing Pinx,
Mika Miko,
White Flag,
The Urinals, and
Saccharine Trust. NSU had also been played on several punk and independent radios as
Nardwuar's
WFMU show,
Razorcake,
Maximumrockandroll, and
KXLU's Demolisten, as well as performing live on air. The Release and constant touring eventually caught the attention of many critics and fans including
Kyle H. Mabson,
V. Vale, and
White Flag. The Second EP
Brainrailers would then be recorded by Vic Alfaro of
Christian Death Fame, and released by French label Shogun Records in April 2010.
2011–2012 Shortly after the release of
Brainrailers, NSU quickly went to recording work for their debut full-length release
Across the Wounded Galaxies to be released on Shogun Records. A Nationwide Tour of California to
New Orleans, Louisiana was had for the release. By 2012 Through playing numerous shows, and with constant touring including another Winter Pacific Northwest Tour, NSU's whole catalog had sold out, and American represses were announced. Their debut album received positive reviews internationally, with United Kingdom paper
The Quietus recommending the band, with the comment that "Musically, their high-pitched wall-of-jangle/atonal solo approach has earned them plenty of
Die Kreuzen comparisons, which have merit, but I’m equally reminded of the collective mentality of those mid-Eighties
Ron Johnson Records bands, only with a hardcore upbringing." In June 2012, NSU along with Manager
Alan S. Tofghi embarked on a second Nationwide Tour in support of the Ice EP, Treated Versions of Various songs in Various Speeds, and the Tour Documentary "Van Warped Tour Death Drive", Directed by Longtime NSU associate Vincent Catanho. With both items selling out prior to tours end, NSU had successfully completed the Bi-Coastal tour. ==Musical and lyrical style==