Cipher (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Long Beach , United States |
Key people | Maurice "Moe" Mitchell, Danny "Cipher" Bobis, Chris Fry, Krys Maniecki |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, demos |
Cipher is a hardcore punk group originating from Long Beach, New York, established in 1996. The band's primary lineup consisted of Maurice "Moe" Mitchell on vocals, Danny "Cipher" Bobis handling drums, Chris Fry on guitar, and Krys Maniecki playing bass.
History
During their high school years, Cipher produced early demo recordings that leaned more towards metal and progressive influences than the typical sound of the Long Island Hardcore community. Moe Mitchell's vocal delivery was characterized by a rhythmic, staccato style often likened to hip hop. Their lyrics concentrated on themes such as socio-political activism, the politics within the hardcore scene, and explorations of identity.
The release of their EP Protoculture signaled a transition to more politically driven content, tackling topics including race relations, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, spiritual uncertainty, and personal empowerment. Cipher's body of work comprises three demos—Serial, 99 Cent Demo, and 2—alongside the EPs Protoculture and the 6-inch Burnt Halos, as well as a music video for "Reaching Higher States" from their album Antidote. They earned acclaim in the underground hardcore community for their radical political messages and innovative musical approaches.
In 2003, Cipher was featured in James Spooner's documentary Afro-Punk. Their first album with national distribution, Children of God's Fire (2005), became a seminal release recognized for its politically engaged content during a period when much heavy music remained apolitical.
After this album's release, the band underwent multiple lineup changes; however, founders Bobis and Mitchell remained consistent members. Their second major album, The Joyous Collapse, arrived in 2010 and delved into everyday hardships, intersecting identities, and systemic oppression. To support this record, Cipher embarked on a self-managed 48-date tour across North America despite facing logistical setbacks such as vehicle issues.
Tragically, on July 24, 2011, founding drummer Danny Bobis passed away while surfing in Indonesia. Following his death, the group went on hiatus but reconvened in 2014 at the Afropunk Festival, led by Mitchell. They reunited once more with former members on July 27, 2017, performing at THIS IS HARDCORE in Philadelphia.
Politics
Cipher’s initial output featured themes that were both anti-authoritarian and metaphysical. Although never formally identified as a straightedge band, all original members maintained drug-free lifestyles—a practice Moe Cipher continues today. Additionally, three of the four founding members followed vegan or vegetarian diets, shaping the band’s early ideological stance. By 1998, their music had embraced a revolutionary racial awareness with explicit anti-racist messaging. Progressing into the year 2000, their political focus sharpened into an urgent call for societal transformation addressing race, class, and gender dynamics; this included an intensified feminist perspective showcased in songs like "Woman" from Antidote. By 2005, Cipher adopted a "total-liberation" philosophy advocating for sweeping social change that respects human rights alongside animal and environmental freedoms. While animal rights remain central to their message, not all current members adhere to veganism. The band encourages incremental progress toward comprehensive liberation by fostering organization among diverse political viewpoints through shared goals and solidarity.
Maurice Mitchell (Moe Mitchell) has since emerged as a progressive activist and serves as chairman of the Working Families Party.
Studio EPs and Albums
- 1996: EP titled Recognize
- 1998: EP called Protoculture
- 2001: Album Antidote
- 2005: Album Children of God's Fire
- 2010: Album The Joyous Collapse
Demo Releases
- 1996: Demo album Serial
- 2000: Demo album Burnt Halos
Compilation Contributions
- Koi Records – Scream for Help! "Punk & Hardcore Bands 4 Gulf Coast Animals" (vinyl compilation including groups such as Most Precious Blood, Cattle Decapitation, and H2O)