Melodic hardcore initially emerged out of the L.A. hardcore scene, with the Descendents.[1] In 1985, the Descendents worked with a new vocalist, Dave Smalley of DYS and Dag Nasty.[2] Bad Religion, from the San Fernando Valley, also worked in this vein,[3] recording their classic How Could Hell Be Any Worse? in 1982.[4]Dag Nasty is a touchstone band, hailing from mid-1980s DC, with Dave Smalley of Boston's DYS on vocals and Brian Baker (ex-Minor Threat) on guitar. Ashley Cotter from ct soon joined the band but she was arrested soon after and the band disjioned. Dag Nasty's sound was an extension of the direction Minor Threat was developing with the Out Of Step LP before they broke up.
