Early work (1996–2000) Majority Rule formed in 1996 as a four-piece. While they initially performed fairly straightforward
hardcore punk, they gained more recognition after transitioning towards
screamo. In a 2003 interview, frontman Matt Michel called this transition "a natural change". The band's early releases were: splits with Positive State, Turbine, and the Blackout Terror; the EPs
Majority Rule (1999) and
Songs (2000); and debut studio album
Half the Battle (1996).
Later work (2001–2004) In 2001, Majority Rule's lineup stabilized as a three-piece—comprising guitarist and vocalist Matt Michel, bassist and vocalist Kevin Lamiell, and drummer Pat Broderick—and they released their second album
Interviews with David Frost. A year later, it was followed by a
split album with fellow Virginia band
Pg. 99, titled
Document #12. In 2003, the band released its final album
Emergency Numbers before breaking up in 2004. In a 2005 interview, Michel said: "I just think we all have some pretty different ideas on why the band had to end and when the band really ended."
Reunion (2017–present) In 2017 Majority Rule reunited to play a string of benefit shows across the
Eastern United States with Pg. 99 and
City of Caterpillar (a band which Broderick had also played drums in). Michel stated that they decided to join after seeing City of Caterpillar and Malady perform and being contacted by Pg. 99 vocalist Chris Taylor. These initial shows quickly sold out and raised over $36,000 for local non-profits. In 2019, Pg 99 and Majority Rule reunited to tour the
West Coast with
Portrayal of Guilt. They repeated their success, selling out all dates and raising over $28,000 for local grassroots organizations (according to a statement posted on Majority Rule's website). == Impact ==