The Nation of Ulysses were formed in Washington, D.C., in 1988, with a lineup composed of vocalist/trumpeter Ian Svenonius, guitarists Steve Kroner and Tim Green, bassist Steve Gamboa, and drummer James Canty (brother of Rites of Spring/Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty). It didn't take long for the band to establish itself as one of the most unique on the D.C. scene, and their exciting, volatile live gigs only added to their reputation. Their first record release was the joint Dischord/K Records EP The Sound of Young America, which featured three songs and appeared in 1990. Dischord issued NoU's debut full-length, 13-Point Program to Destroy America, in 1991 (CD versions appended the previous EP as a "3-Point Remedial Program"). Response was generally positive -- in fact, Svenonius was subsequently named "Sassiest Boy in America" by the indie-friendly teen-girl magazine Sassy.
Another three-song EP, The Birth of a Ulysses Aesthetic, appeared in 1992, and was followed later that year by the second Nation of Ulysses album, Plays Pretty for Baby, which expanded the group's following even further. Unfortunately, they wouldn't survive the year; Kroner departed, reportedly due to the birth of a child, and the remaining quartet attempted to begin work on a third studio album. It was never completed, but the six existing tracks were later issued in 2000 as The Embassy Tapes, which also included a few live recordings. After the group's breakup, Svenonius, Canty, and Gamboa quickly reteamed in Cupid Car Club, which issued a 7" single on Kill Rock Stars in 1994; the trio would subsequently form the nucleus of the acclaimed and prolific Make-Up, this time with Canty on guitar and Gamboa on drums. In the wake of their demise, Svenonius moved on to front Weird War. Tim Green, meanwhile, became a recording engineer and moved to San Francisco in 1995; he also played with groups like the Young Ginns, the Fakes, Kicking Giant, and the Fucking Champs. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi