Youth of Today
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Danbury, Connecticut, United States |
| Founder | Ray Cappo, John Porcelly |
| Defunct | 1990 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2010 |
| Headquarters | Danbury , United States |
Area served | United States, Europe, South America |
Key people | Ray Cappo (lead vocals), John Porcelly (guitar), Walter Schreifels (bass), Sammy Siegler (drums) |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Youth of Today is a hardcore punk group from the United States, originally active between 1985 and 1990 before regrouping in 2010. The band played a crucial role in shaping the "Youth Crew" hardcore subgenre, advancing and promoting the ideals of straight edge and vegetarian living.
Following the band's initial dissolution, lead singer Ray Cappo embraced the Hare Krishna movement and established the bands Shelter and Better Than a Thousand. Presently, the lineup features original members Cappo and guitarist John Porcelly, along with bassist Walter Schreifels and drummer Sammy Siegler.
History
Originating in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1985, Youth of Today was formed by Ray Cappo (vocals) and John Porcelly (guitar), both formerly of Violent Children. Their goal was to reinvigorate the straight edge scene amid its early decline. They enlisted their high school peers Graham Phillips (bass) and Darren Pesce (drums), who had previously played with Porcelly in The Young Republicans. The band's first live performance took place at The Anthrax on July 2, 1985.
Can't Close My Eyes
In 1985, Youth of Today recorded their debut EP Can't Close My Eyes under Kevin Seconds' Positive Force Records, featuring lyrical contributions from John L Hancock III (Ratboy). Simultaneously, they provided five songs for the Connecticut Fun compilation; these tracks were later combined with the EP to create the well-known album version of Can't Close My Eyes.
After their initial tours, Graham Phillips and Darren Pesce left the group. They were succeeded by Craig Setari on bass and Tommy Carroll on drums, both from New York’s Straight Ahead. When Tommy Carroll exited mid-tour, Drew Thomas of Crippled Youth (later known as Bold) stepped in to complete the remaining shows.
Break Down the Walls
Soon after, Richie Birkenhead, vocalist of Underdog, joined Youth of Today as a second guitarist. This ensemble recorded their first full-length album Break Down the Walls, released through Wishingwell Records, a label recognized for California straight edge bands like Unity and Uniform Choice. Shortly thereafter, Drew Thomas was replaced by Mike "Judge" (who later became Judge’s vocalist alongside John Porcelly). Craig Setari departed to revive Straight Ahead and subsequently played with Agnostic Front and Sick of It All. Walter Schreifels from Gorilla Biscuits took over bass duties. Following the Break Down the Walls tour, Richie Birkenhead left to concentrate on Underdog. Youth of Today then contributed two songs to Revelation Records’ compilation "New York Hardcore - The Way It Is", alongside notable New York groups such as Bold, Gorilla Biscuits, Side By Side, and Sick of It All.
We're Not in This Alone
By late 1987, Mike "Judge" had exited and was replaced by drummer Sammy Siegler. In 1988, Youth of Today released their influential second album We're Not in This Alone, distributed domestically by Caroline Records and in Europe via We Bite Records and Funhouse Records. Early in 1989, they embarked on a European tour covering countries including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and England. The band dissolved in 1990 after recording four final tracks for a Revelation Records 7-inch; three of these appeared on the single "Disengage".
The group's disbandment coincided with a decline in the second wave of straight edge hardcore (which peaked between 1985 and 1990). Alongside contemporaries like Uniform Choice, Gorilla Biscuits, No For An Answer, and Chain of Strength, Youth of Today inspired countless young people worldwide through their combination of positive messaging and fast-paced hardcore music—encouraging many toward a lifestyle free from drugs.
Post-breakup
Following the split, Ray Cappo established the Hare Krishna-inspired group Shelter, which later included Porcell as a member. Walter remained active with Gorilla Biscuits until their dissolution and toured Europe in 1990 alongside Porcell and Sammy. After Gorilla Biscuits ended, Walter went on to create Quicksand, then formed Rival Schools and Walking Concert. Meanwhile, Sammy played drums for CIV, a band that featured former Gorilla Biscuits members, among other musical ventures.
Reunion
Youth of Today came together again for several one-time performances and a European tour in 2003, reuniting original members Ray, Porcell, and Sammy. Bass duties were handled by Ken Olden, known from Battery and Better Than a Thousand. In the fall of 2010, the band embarked on another European tour beginning September 16 in Lyss, Switzerland, followed by their inaugural South American tour in December 2010, which included stops in Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. In March 2011, they performed in Russia and Oslo, Norway. Highlights of their 2011 schedule included shows at U Street Music Hall in Washington, D.C., Glasshouse in Pomona, California, Chaos in Tejas festival, Getaway Rock Festival in Gävle, Sweden, New Direction Fest No. 2 in Olbia, Sardinia, the sold-out This Is Hardcore festival, and Riot Fest in Chicago where they opened for Danzig and Doyle performing Misfits songs. They also appeared at Within These Walls festival in Mesa, Arizona in September 2012. On April 28–29, 2016, Youth of Today played concerts in Berlin and Meerhout with Sammy Siegler on drums and Walter Schreifels on bass.
Band members
- Current
- Ray Cappo – lead vocals (1985–1990, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2010–present)
- John Porcelly – guitar (1985–1990, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2010–present)
- Walter Schreifels – bass guitar (1987–1990, 1994, 2016–present)
- Sammy Siegler – drums (1987–1990, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2016–present)
- Former
- Richie Birkenhead – guitar (1986–1987)
- Graham Phillips – bass (1985–1986)
- Craig Setari – bass (1986–1987)
- Lukey Luke – bass (1987)
- Tim Brooks – bass (1999)
- Ken Olden – bass (2004, 2010–2016)
- Darren Pesce – drums (1985–1986)
- Kevin Seconds – drums (1986)
- Tommy Carroll – drums (1986)
- Drew Thomas – drums (1986–1987)
- Mike "Judge" Ferraro – drums (1987)
- Vinny Panza – drums (2010–2016)
- Steve Reddy – vocals (Performed one show in 1987; Ray shifted to bass due to Walter’s injury)
Albums
| Year | Album title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Can't Close My Eyes | Positive Force Records (Reissued by Revelation Records in 1997) |
| 1986 | Break Down the Walls | Wishing Well Records (Re-released by Revelation Records in 1988) |
| 1988 | We're Not in This Alone | Caroline Records (Reissued by Revelation Records in 1990) |
| 1990 | Youth of Today EP | Revelation Records |
Singles
- Can't Close My Eyes 7-inch (1985, Positive Force Records; later reissued by Schism, Caroline, We Bite, and Revelation Records)
- Disengage 7-inch/CD (Revelation Records, 1990)
Live albums and singles
- Yesterday 7-inch (1991) (Unofficial release)
- Take a Stand 12-inch/LP/CD (Lost and Found Records, 1992)
- Anarchy in Vienna LP (1989) (Unofficial release)
- Live at Van Hall 1989, Amsterdam 7-inch (Commitment Records, 1989)
- Live at CBGB's 7-inch (Reality Records, 1998)
Music videos
- "No More" (1988)
Compilation albums
- Make It Work 7-inch
- Connecticut Fun LP (1985)
- New York City Hardcore: Together 7-inch (1987, Revelation Records)
- New York City Hardcore – The Way It Is LP (1988, Revelation Records)
- Hold Your Ground CD
- Sunday Matinee LP/CD
- In-Flight Program CD
- Voice of the Voiceless LP/CD
- Another Shot for Bracken LP
- A Time We'll Remember LP
- We Bite available as 7-inch and double LP
- The Sound of the Streets 4×CD set
- Revelation 100 double LP/CD (Revelation Records)