

American Football
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Band Timeline
Formation of American Football
Release of Debut EP
Release of Debut Album and Initial Breakup
Band Reformation and Deluxe Reissue of Debut Album
Release of Second Album - American Football LP2
Release of Third Album - American Football LP3
Lineup Changes and Current Activity
Albums
Members
Current
Mike Kinsella
Guitar
Mike Kinsella
Lead vocals
Nate Kinsella
Bass guitar
Nate Kinsella
Vibraphone
Steve Holmes
Guitar
Nate Kinsella
Background vocals
History
Steve Lamos
Drums (drum set)
Steve Lamos
Trumpet
Steve Lamos
Percussion
Mike Kinsella
Lead vocals
Guitar
Bass guitar
Steve Holmes
Guitar
Keyboard
Steve Lamos
Drums (drum set)
Percussion
Trumpet
Story of American Football
American Football, the seminal indie rock band from Urbana, Illinois, first emerged in 1997, leaving an indelible mark on the emo and math rock scenes before disbanding in 2000. Their reunion in 2014 reignited a fervent fanbase.
The band's core initially comprised Mike Kinsella (guitar/bass/vocals – formerly of Cap'n Jazz and Joan of Arc, currently of Owen), Steve Holmes (guitar – also of The Geese), and Steve Lamos (drums/trumpet – formerly of The One Up Downstairs, a brief stint with The Firebird Band and Edward Burch & the Staunch Characters, and currently of The Geese and DMS). Lamos departed in 2021 but rejoined in 2023.
Their self-titled debut album, released during their original run, achieved legendary status, solidifying their place as a cornerstone of the genre. The reunion saw the addition of Nate Kinsella (Mike's cousin), resulting in two further self-titled releases: American Football / LP2 (2016) and American Football / LP3 (2019).
History:
Formation:
Mike Kinsella and Steve Holmes, former classmates at Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Illinois, forged a musical connection early on. Kinsella drummed for Cap'n Jazz, while Holmes played guitar in various bands and shared a room with Kinsella. Before American Football, Kinsella, Lamos, and the Johnson brothers (David and Allen) formed The One Up Downstairs in 1997. Kinsella focused solely on vocals in this project, which recorded three songs intended for a 7" release on Polyvinyl Records.