Government Issue is an American
hardcore punk band from
Washington, D.C. active from 1980 to 1989 with a reemergence since 2007 to the present day. The band experienced many changes in membership during its nine-year existence, with singer John Stabb as the only consistent member in an ever-fluctuating lineup that at various times included notable musicians
Brian Baker,
Mike Fellows,
Steve Hansgen,
J. Robbins, and
Peter Moffett. Government Issue originated from the
Washington, D.C. hardcore scene but added elements of
heavy metal,
new wave, and
psychedelic rock on later records. Though this has caused the band to be sometimes overlooked in relation to other Washington, D.C. hardcore acts, their stylistic diversity made them influential to later punk rock groups.