Gorilla Biscuits
Background information
Origin	New York City, USA
Genre(s)	Punk rock Youth crew Hardcore Punk
Years active	1987–1991 2006–present (Brief reunions: 1997, 2005)
Label(s)	Revelation Records
Members
Anthony Civarelli Walter Schreifels Arthur Smilios Alex Brown Luke Abbey

Gorilla Biscuits are a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records, consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown and Luke Abbey. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (800x1000, 140 KB) This image was created by myself, Andy McKay. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Youth crew is a sub-genre of hardcore punk that was most popular from approximately 1986 to 1990, primarily in New York City and, to a lesser degree, Los Angeles. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... Gorilla Biscuits are a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records, consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, and Sammy Siegler. ... Walter Schreifels is a rock musician and producer from New York City. ... Alex Brown may refer to: Alex Brown (rugby player) (born 1979), rugby union player Alex Brown (football player) (born 1979), American football player Alex Brown (musician) Alex Brown (Worlds Greatest), VS Technical Player Alex Brown (Football Player) (born 1989), Bushy FC Midfielder Alex Brown (Famous American Banker)Self Made... “NY” redirects here. ... For the drawing or cutting tool, see Straightedge. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... Gorilla Biscuits are a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records, consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, and Sammy Siegler. ... Walter Schreifels is a rock musician and producer from New York City. ... Alex Brown may refer to: Alex Brown (rugby player) (born 1979), rugby union player Alex Brown (football player) (born 1979), American football player Alex Brown (musician) Alex Brown (Worlds Greatest), VS Technical Player Alex Brown (Football Player) (born 1989), Bushy FC Midfielder Alex Brown (Famous American Banker)Self Made...

History

Early career

Gorilla Biscuits were formed when Smilios met Civorelli while they were both living in New York City and going to the same high school. They were both fans of the band Agnostic Front and became interested in Hardcore from listening to them. They started going to Hardcore shows at CBGB's on the weekends, where they met people like Ray Cappo and John Porcelly, of the band Youth Of Today. New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... CBGB, also CBGBs or CBs is a legendary club in the Manhattan Bowery district of New York City, New York. ... Ray Cappo (aka Ray of Today) is a singer with Youth of Today, Shelter, and Better Than A Thousand. ... John Porcell Porcelly was the guitarist for the American 1980s hardcore bands Young Republicans, Violent Children, Youth Of Today and Judge. ... Youth of Today was a straight edge hardcore band from New York City. ...

Arthur wanted to start a hardcore band and wanted Civ to sing, but Civ had no interest in singing and had to face the floor or wall while doing it in the early stages of the Biscuits. Members of the band Token Entry hooked them up with a show (Gorilla Biscuits used Token Entry's drummer for that first show), and needed a name for the still unnamed band, in order to give it to the show's promoter. A popular drug in there area at that time was quaaludes, which people called "ape shit" because the pill was so huge, eventually it evoled into Gorilla Biscuits. The name was only meant to be temporary but stayed with them. Methaqualone1 is an addictive, sedative drug. ...

The start was rough on the band. They made poor quality demo tapes which were sold at a dollar store with no cases. The band's first official shirts were blue with a gorilla riding a skateboard, and were made using a black magic marker and an ink blotter. Track Listing Submerged -3:09 Subway -1:57 Waiting For Susan -3:03 One Times One Times One -4:25 To Be Free Please -4:02 Handsome Musician -3:32 Fair Weather -3:06 North Main Street -3:31 AIDS -3:26 Your House -2:34 ...

Increasing popularity and hiatus

After having the early Gorilla Biscuits song "Better Than You" on one of their compilations, Revelation Records released an eponymously titled Gorilla Biscuits 7" EP in 1988, which later became a Hardcore hit. The band then toured the United States and Europe twice. The year 1989 saw the release of their first full length album, Start Today. The album became the biggest selling ever for Revelation Records, and was also the first album that was issued on C.D., alongside it's vinyl and cassette versions, as part of the routine production. The band started writing material for a second L.P. (an unreleased song, "Distance" can be seen played by the band during a performance in the 1991 documentary "Live In New York") which they never recorded, and eventually disbanded around the year 1992. Some of the members went on to play in a follow up band, CIV. Besides singing for CIV, Civ now owns a tattoo studio in New York City. Walter went on to form the post-hardcore band Quicksand. He then wrote the songs for and helped produce CIV's first album. It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ... It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ... Post-hardcore; this specific genre was created by others as a sourse to relaese the emotion that builds inside, making the music intimate and touching to listeners. ... Quicksand was a post-hardcore band from New York City, and retrospectively one of the most influential rock acts of that era, led by former Gorilla Biscuits guitarist Walter Schreifels. ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ...

Reunions and the future of Gorilla Biscuits

Gorilla Biscuits briefly reunited in 1997 for a benefit at CBGB's, and played another show there on August 14, 2005 as a benefit to save the club from financial problems. CBGB, also CBGBs or CBs is a legendary club in the Manhattan Bowery district of New York City, New York. ...

In 2006 Revelation Records reissued their seminal recording Start Today. The album is remastered and features in-depth liner notes by Walter Schreifels. It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... A seminal work [from Latin semen meaning seed] is a work from which other works grow. ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ... Walter Schreifels is a rock musician and producer from New York City. ...

In the summer of 2006 they did a month-long reunion tour which featured an exclusive 7-inch only available on tour stops.

As of March 2007, Gorilla Biscuits have announced a Glasgow slot, with further information pending. They reportedly turned down playing at Download festival. For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the computer terms. ...

As of this moment there are no confirmed plans for a new Gorilla Biscuits album.

Members

• Anthony Civarelli - vocals. Civ went on to form punk rock band CIV. Starting out with Lava Records and Revelation Records, they signed a major label deal with Atlantic Records in 1995. They achieved commercial success with the single "Can't Wait One Minute More" , which was also later used in a popular car commercial. Civ is also the owner of a Long Island tattoo studio called Lotus Tattoo.
• Walter Schreifels, who played guitar and wrote most of the songs for Gorilla Biscuits, went on to be the frontman in Quicksand, one of the most influential Post Hardcore bands. Later, Walter was in Rival Schools and Walking Concert. While in Gorilla Biscuits, Walter went on to sing for the band Moondog. His reasoning being he "wanted to sing for a band. Playing guitar and writing songs for Gorilla Biscuits had always been fun but after a while I wanted to be doing something more." Moondog never actually got off the ground and Quicksand became the band he would front. He has also done extensive producing for other bands and lately he does a lot of solo acoustic shows. He has also been a member of Warzone and Youth of Today.
• Arthur Smilios - bass. Arthur had also played with Token Entry and Underdog for a little while, and after the demise of Gorilla Biscuits joined CIV with Civ.
• Alex Brown - Second guitar. He had previously been a member of the Straight Edge Hardcore bands Side By Side and Project X, before joining Gorilla Biscuits. He was also behind the New-York based fanzine and record label Schism, together with John Porcelly of Youth Of Today (who also ended up playing guitar in a later incarnation of Gorilla Biscuits).
• Luke Abbey - drums. While in Gorilla Biscuits, Luke was also a member of Warzone, and had been a part of the first real line up of Judge. He was later replaced by Sammy Siegler in Gorilla Biscuits who had been in the band in the early days, and would go on to be the drummer in CIV.

Gorilla Biscuits are a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records, consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, and Sammy Siegler. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ... Lava Records was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Jason Flom, who began his career with Atlantic Records. ... It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... This article is about the island in New York State. ... For other uses, see Tattoo (disambiguation). ... Walter Schreifels is a rock musician and producer from New York City. ... Quicksand was a post-hardcore band from New York City, and retrospectively one of the most influential rock acts of that era, led by former Gorilla Biscuits guitarist Walter Schreifels. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Rival Schools was a short-lived Post Hardcore band from New York, formed by members from several influential 80s and 90s underground bands (including Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, CIV and Youth Of Today). ... Walking Concert formed in 2003 after the enigmatic hardcore legend, Walter Schriefels disbanded his previous outfit Rival Schools. ... Moondog the nom de plume of Louis T. Hardin (May 26, 1916 – September 8, 1999), was an American composer, musician and poet, who also invented musical instruments - all this despite being blind, and, for three decades, homeless. ... Quicksand was a post-hardcore band from New York City, and retrospectively one of the most influential rock acts of that era, led by former Gorilla Biscuits guitarist Walter Schreifels. ... Warzone was a hardcore punk band from New York City. ... Youth of Today was a straight edge hardcore band from New York City. ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ... Alex Brown may refer to: Alex Brown (rugby player) (born 1979), rugby union player Alex Brown (football player) (born 1979), American football player Alex Brown (musician) Alex Brown (Worlds Greatest), VS Technical Player Alex Brown (Football Player) (born 1989), Bushy FC Midfielder Alex Brown (Famous American Banker)Self Made... For the drawing or cutting tool, see Straightedge. ... Side By Side was an American hardcore punk band on Revelation Records. ... Project X was a short-lived late 1980s NYC straight edge hardcore band, featuring John Porcelly (Youth Of Today,Judge), Walter Schreifels (Gorilla Biscuits,Youth Of Today), Alex Brown (Side By Side,Gorilla Biscuits) and Sammy Siegler (Side By Side,Youth Of Today,Judge). ... The word schism (IPA: or ), from the Greek σχισμα, schisma (from σχιζω, schizo, to split), means a division or a split, usually in an organization. ... John Porcell Porcelly was the guitarist for the American 1980s hardcore bands Young Republicans, Violent Children, Youth Of Today and Judge. ... Youth of Today was a straight edge hardcore band from New York City. ... Warzone was a hardcore punk band from New York City. ... Judge was a New York City Hardcore Punk Straight Edge and Metalcore band, formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist, John Porcell Porcelly, and former Death Before Dishonor/ Youth of Today drummer, Mike Judge (Mike Ferraro). ... Sammy Siegler is an American rock drummer, notable for his many contributions to the New York hardcore scene. ... If you are looking for a computer game abbreviated Civ, see Civilization (computer game). ...

Discography

Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Gorilla Biscuits is the seltitled debut EP from the Hardcore band Gorilla Biscuits. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...

Compilations

• New York City Hardcore:Together, 7" (1987, Revelation Records)
• New York City Hardcore: The Way It Is, CD (1988/1992 (reissue), Revelation Records)
• Where The Wild Things Are (1989) Blackout Records
• Threat: Music That Inspired The Movie, CD (2006, Kings Mob Productions)

It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... Where The Wild Things Are is a compilation album of New York hardcore tracks by various artists. ... Blackout Records is an independent record label which specializes in the hardcore punk genre. ... Threat (2006) is an independent film about a straightege punk and a hip hop radical whose friendship is doomed by the intolerance of their respective street tribes. ... Kings Mob Productions is a DiY filmmaking and agitprop media-making anti-corporation dedicated to creating new, dangerous, and thought-provoking media. ...

Trivia

• The voice in the introduction to the song "Big Mouth" ("Yo, sucka, you got a big mouth!"), on the bands first E.P., belongs to Raybeez, singer of the New York Hardcore Skinhead band Warzone. It was later sampled again by fellow New York Hardcore band H₂O on their song "Talk Too Much" from the album Thicker Than Water.
• Start Today was partly funded by friend (and Revelation Records president) Jordan Cooper's compensation from a car accident.
• Folk Punk band Defiance, Ohio covered "Things We Say" for their split with Ghost Mice
• Fall Out Boy covered "Start Today" for the Tony Hawk's American Wasteland soundtrack.
• Strike Anywhere covered "Two Sides" for their album "To Live In Discontent".
• In 2006, the track "Start Today" was contributed to the mashup album Threat: Music That Inspired The Movie, where it was remixed by Defragmentation and dubbed "Zolobovine."
• The album Love In The Facist Brothel by The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower has the same horn intro as Start Today.
• Raised Fist covered the song "New Direction" from the album Start Today

Ray Barbieri (November 27, 1961 - September 11, 1997), often nicknamed Raybeez, was the vocalist and only consistent member of skinhead hardcore punk band Warzone, as well as former drummer for Agnostic Front. ... New York Hardcore (NYHC) refers to hardcore punk music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. ... Skinheads, named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, are a working-class subculture that originated in Britain during the 1960s. ... Warzone was a hardcore punk band from New York City. ... New York Hardcore (NYHC) refers to hardcore punk music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. ... H2O is an American melodic hardcore punk band formed in 1995 after singer Toby Morse got tired of touring as a roadie for hardcore acts such as Sick of it All. ... Thicker Than Water is the title of the second album released by H2O. It was released on October 7, 1997. ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ... It has been suggested that Revelation Records Discography be merged into this article or section. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Defiance, Ohio is an anticapitalist, largely acoustic punk (typically referred to as folk-punk) band from Bloomington, Indiana. ... Ghost Mice is a two-piece folk-punk band that hails from Bloomington, IN. Ghost Mice was created from the ashes of former pop-punk bands The Devil is Electric and Operation: Cliff Clavin. ... Fall Out Boy (commonly abbreviated as FOB) is an American band from Wilmette, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) that formed in 2001. ... Tony Hawks American Wasteland is a video game that has been released for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube and PC. The game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. ... Strike Anywhere is a melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Threat (2006) is an independent film about a straightege punk and a hip hop radical whose friendship is doomed by the intolerance of their respective street tribes. ... The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower were a four-piece punk band from San Diego, California, that formed in 2001. ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ... The raised fist (also closed fist or clenched fist) is a symbol and salute most often used by communists, anarchists, socialists, leftists, pacifists, trade unionists and others in opposition to oppressive regimes. ... Start Today is a LP by Gorilla Biscuits. ...

External links

• Gorilla Biscuits Tribute Site
• Gorilla Biscuits on Myspace
• Revelation Records
• All Music Guide
• Gorilla Biscuits Profile on Punknews.org
• Pictures from their last CBGB show
• Review from their last CBGB show