American Football (band)

American Football
American Football performing in 2017
American Football performing in 2017
Background information
OriginUrbana, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyAmerican Football discography
Years active
  • 1997–2000
  • 2014–present
Labels
SpinoffsOwen
Spinoff ofCap'n Jazz
Members
Websiteamericanfootballmusic.com

American Football is an American midwest emo band from Urbana, Illinois, originally active from 1997 until 2000. They reformed in 2014.

The band was formed by guitarist/bassist and singer Mike Kinsella (formerly of Cap'n Jazz and Joan of Arc and currently of Owen), guitarist Steve Holmes (also a member of the Geese), and drummer and trumpet player Steve Lamos (formerly of the One Up Downstairs, one-time member of the Firebird Band and Edward Burch & the Staunch Characters, and currently of the Geese and DMS). Lamos left the band in 2021 but rejoined in 2023.

Despite the group's short initial lifespan, their self-titled debut album became one of the most acclaimed emo and math rock records of its era. After reuniting in 2014, with Kinsella's cousin Nate Kinsella joining the band, American Football has released two more albums, both bearing the same name as their debut: American Football (2016) and American Football (2019).