After 24 years, American Football has come full circle by purchasing the house featured on the cover of their eponymous debut album. The band reunited in 2016 for their reunion album and were granted permission to access the interior of the home for a new cover shot. Last fall, the band received news that the home might be sold soon and decided to join forces with key players from their history to purchase the house before developers could demolish it and build a condo.
Preserving a Piece of History
The house, located at 704 W. High Street in Urbana, Illinois, has become an iconic symbol of the emo and pop-punk scene of the late 90s and early 2000s. The band, along with Polyvinyl Records, photographer Chris Strong, skateboarder Atiba Jefferson, and Open House Contemporary, made a pact to purchase the house together and preserve its place and legacy within the community that built it.
A Nostalgic Dream of Possibility
The American Football House not only served as a literal home to many tenants throughout the years, but it also represents a nostalgic dream of possibility and the beauty of the beginning. Polyvinyl Records expressed that they could not let that dream go and joined forces with the band and other key players to preserve the house and its legacy.
Keeping the Landmark Alive
The purchase of the American Football House is a testament to the impact the band had on the emo and pop-punk scene of the late 90s and early 2000s. By preserving this landmark, American Football is keeping a piece of their legacy alive for many years to come.
Community Support
The purchase of the American Football House has garnered support from fans and community members alike. The house remains a symbol of a bygone era of music and culture and will now serve as a tribute to the bands and musicians who paved the way for the emo and pop-punk scene.
Overall, the purchase of the American Football House is a heartwarming story of a band and their supporters coming together to preserve a piece of music history. As the house stands as a tribute to the early days of emo and pop-punk, it serves as a reminder of the impact music can have on a community and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is American Football?
American Football is an American emo band formed in 1997 in Urbana, Illinois. The band consists of Mike Kinsella (vocals, guitar), Steve Holmes (guitar), Nate Kinsella (bass), and Steve Lamos (drums, trumpet).What is 704 W. High Street?
704 W. High Street is a house in Urbana, Illinois, that was used as the cover art for American Football’s eponymous debut album in 1999. It has since become a landmark for fans of the band and emo music in general.Who are the key players involved in the purchase of 704 W. High Street?
The key players involved in the purchase of 704 W. High Street include American Football (the band), Polyvinyl (the record label), Chris Strong (a music promoter), Atiba Jefferson (a photographer), and Open House Contemporary (an art gallery).Why was it important for American Football and others to purchase 704 W. High Street?
American Football and the other key players involved in the purchase of 704 W. High Street wanted to preserve its place and legacy within the community that built it. The house has come to represent a nostalgic dream of possibility and the beauty of the beginning, and they could not let that dream go.