NICE STRONG ARM live at The Rocket in Providence, Rhode Island July 18, 1987

Nice Strong Arm were a post-punk band from Austin, Texas that started in 1985. From the ashes of local band The Vertibeads, Kevin Thomson (guitar / vocals) and Jason Asnes ( bass / vocals) began playing with a few others whom eventually “crystalized” Into Nice Strong Arm (with Stephen MacMurray and Ethel M. Deathel both on drums). The group started playing shows with other Austin bands like Ed Hall, Butthole Surfers, Miracle Room, and Meat Joy and slowly evolved their noisy, percussive, melodic sound.
After Homestead Records Gerard Cosloy heard a live tape of the band, he invited them to perform at a show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, N.J. After playing the show, they were offered a recording contract with Homestead soon after.
They recorded and released their debut LP, “Reality Bath” in 1987. The album got a good reaction from fans around the country who liked the band’s raw sound. Often compared musically to Sonic Youth, their debut LP has influenced many well-respected indie bands over the years. Jeffrey Hoskins took over on drums as the album was released and the band did a two month U.S. tour in a 1970s gold Cadillac with trailer.
Nice Strong Arm released its 2nd LP “Mind Furnace” in 1988 and continued to play around Texas as well as dates across the country.
After opening for New York Noise-rock icons Swans, the band asked Jason Asnes to move to NYC and play bass in the group. As the other members of Nice Strong Arm were interested in moving there anyway, they all three did. Jason played bass on Swans “Burning World” LP (UNI Records) before quitting the group to focus more on Nice Strong Arm.
Becoming part of the NYC “noise-rock” scene, they often played shows with Pussy Galore, White Zombie, Bitch Magnet, Bailter Space, and other local bands. N.S.A. put out their “Cloud Machine” EP and continued touring around the country.
Known for their energetic, cathartic live shows, the band soon became popular in the indie / noise / college rock scene. They did several tours around the U.S. doing multiple dates with Scrawl, Babes in Toyland, Afghan Whigs, and Laughing Hyenas.
After releasing their third LP on Homestead Records, “Stress City”, the band left on another U.S. tour. They briefly lived in Minneapolis and San Francisco before breaking up there.
Kevin Thomson stayed in California playing in projects like Timco, Morning Champ, and currently Enablers. as well as his solo act Hazel Atlas.
Jeffrey Hoskins returned to Austin where he played in bands like The Flying Saucers before opening his own recording studio.
Jason Asnes moved back to NYC playing in bands such as Saturnine and Crown Heights. He there became a successful club / event DJ recording and releasing tracks as DJ Angola. In 2016, He moved back to Austin, Tx where he started Kezek