"Ben, Markley, and Jon formed a band in Little Rock, Arkansas while the members were still in junior high, calling themselves 'Father Asshole'. That band was short-lived and played a few shows, including the Arkansas College anti-apartheid rally. In 1986 the three started a new band called 'Criminal Mischief'. Around this time things started to happen in Little Rock and a scene began to really develop. A guy named Robo started putting on hardcore shows at a venue called 'The Annex'. Many of the classic hardcore bands of the era came through and Criminal Mischief got to open most of those shows. Eventually their bass player was replaced with Andy, and they also changed their name to Econochrist. They played many shows around the Arkansas area as well as in Memphis. They released a demo tape and a 7" EP titled 'It Runs Deep' on Memphis-based 'Truant Records'.
In 1988 the band and many of their friends decided to pack up and move to the East Bay. In the East Bay scene Econochrist flourished, though Andy was replaced by Mike. This didn't bring Andy down though, as he went on to play with bands like 'Eldopa' and 'Samiam'. Econochrist joined the ranks of the Gilman Street punk scene and became much adored by the area's punk rockers. They continued to release records, play shows, and tour the country until 1993, when they decided to split up. The members of the band have all moved on to other things now: Ben is an elementary school teacher, after spending time counseling street kids at the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic. Jon is 'married' to his dog and working on a new musical project. Andy has been keeping a low profile but is surely still kicking ass somewhere out there. Markley drummed for Strychnine, which also featured members of fellow East Bay hardcore band Filth.
The thing about these guys was that they lived and breathed hardcore punk rock. They lived in shitholes, toured on a shoestring, but most importantly they played kick-ass music. They will be remembered forever by the fans and the many bands they influenced - their signature sweaty, hard-driving punk backed with clear and punchy melodic bass lines developed into the sound of the 90s East Bay scene, as also played by fellow locals Jawbreaker, Green Day, and Rancid (who in particular played house parties with Econochrist)." --Edited from Author Unknown
