YOUTH OF TOLAY
by Mike Gitter Photos by J.J. Gonson
Oversized t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and
white leather basketball sneakers are the uniform.
The posture is high spirited, energetic, drug-free
and most of all, youthful. That's right, youth.
Whereas the New York hardcore scene of '80-'83
seemed dominated by drugs and violence, a
youthful, positive influence has taken over, chang-
ing attitudes and spawning a high-energy wave
of young, straight-minded hardcore outfits like
Bold, Straight-Ahead and Warzone. Brashly dub-
bing themselves Youth of Today, vocalist Ray
Cappo and his positive powerhouse put energy
and a sense of purpose back into hardcore.
Cappo, who previously sang for Reflex From
Pain along with guitarist John Porcell, formed
Youth of Today from the ashes of an early Con-
necticut thrash outfit known as Violent Children.
Cappo's throat-scarring caterwauls blast forth
with fierce emotion and Porcell's straight-in-your-
face guitar plays hard, fast and bombastically.
A move to New York City brought on the band's
development as a rallying force for a virtual army
of young hardcores who flocked to CBGB's YOT
gigs, packing the house more with each and
every gig. The band has rerouted the anger and
frustration they felt in their early days into a fervent
commitment to positive social change.
"When we started out in early '85 it was much
more of an angry, shove-it-down-their-throats
feeling," says Porcell.
"Exactly," agrees Ray. "We were playing to
people who really didn't want to hear what we
had to say. Now, we're playing to straight-edge
kids who are very much into our message. We
were playing to kids who don't want to see X's
on our hands. We had had our own group of
kids...a youth crew which has grown into one
big family over the past couple of years."
Their recently released full-length Lp, Break
Down the Walls (Wishing Well) is about as
straight-ahead as you can get. The title cut,
"Stabbed in the Back" and "Take a Stand" thrust
forth in an ultra-brutal fashion. The live affair is
even more charged, with Cappo bounding about
the stage like an enraged panther and Porcell
delivering a ton of muscle overdrive, which is
further beefed up by axemanship of ex-Underdog
vocalist/songwriter Richie, recently added bassist
Walter and drummer, Mike. Despite their forceful,
single-minded delivery, though, the band has
attracted much criticism.
"So Ray," I ask, "what exactly do you say to
people who claim that Youth of Today is doing
absolutely nothing except rehashing their hard-
core influences?"
"The kids love it," he counters with a sheepish
grin. "No one else is .doing solid hardcore
anymore. When we started the band we were
upset because we love hardcore and we played
it true and sang lyrics straight from the heart. The
kids loved it, and now it seems that hardcore's
in a rebirth. It's stronger than ever and definitely
something new, not at all a rehash. We play 1987
hardcore which is different than 1982 hardcore.
but, still, it's hardcore."
"There are definite influences from early hard-
core," says Richie, "and I think that what we're
doing is better than going soft or turning metal"
"I think you can always keep a hard edge no.
matter what you do," says Cappo. "It doesn't have
to be strictly hardcore. LL Cool J is hard without
being hardcore and if we want to start playing
something different, it will probably be in a
different band. I love music and will always be
into it."
"I don't think people want to hear progressive
Youth of Today," says Richie. "They can count
on us for good, old, solid hardcore"
The adrenaline-crazed five-piece seems to be
taking the lessons of hardcore's past to heart.
Musically, they see and understand the limita
tions of outright hardcore while fervently playing
and enjoying its manic propulsion.
"I don't think Youth of Today is one of those
bands that was meant to progress," says Ray.
"It's sort of cool how Minor Threat came and left.
Bands like SSD got miserable at the end and
people have sour feelings about them. Look at
Negative Approach. They came, were loved and
remembered. Don't overstay your welcome."
With its forcefulness, hardcore seems an
obvious means of communication for the youthful
New Yorkers. They find it to be a powerful avenue
for communicating their free-thinking, positive
message. "We have a lot to say that people
wouldn't be listening to if our music didn't come
across powerfully," says Ray.
"I think hardcore is the most powerful, instantly
emotional and intense music around," says
Richie, "and that's why we stick to it."
The message of Youth of Today is one of plain
and simple intent. "We want them to keep their
heads on straight and look at life with a more
positive outlook, not getting caught up in the
material world or the monotony of life. You've got
to grow up and really live."
Part of the band's approach to life includes a
strict abstinence from drugs, alcohol and other
forms of mental and physical corruption. "We've
seen too many young kids ruin their lives with
drugs and alcohol," says Ray. "Keep your body
pure. It doesn't mean that you have to perform
any austerities or anything like that. I walk out
my door and see living zombies every day. I see
people with wasted lives, delapidated bodies
...kids who come to shows dusted out of their
minds, which is pretty sick and twisted, in my
opinion. I see a lot of human waste and would
like to steer kids away from that."
"When I was in high school, I just got sick of
going out every weekend and drinking," says
Porcell. "It's an entirely wasted lifestyle."
Cappo and his high-spirited crew are a voice
for clear thinking and sincerity. Delivered in a
blustering rage, their screams are those of care
and concern for their fellow youth.
Vocalist, Ray Cappo and guitarist John Purcell (inset) carry the thrust of Youth of Today
FREE!
THE
DEHUMANIZERS
Receive The Dehumanizers
cassette, "End of Time,"
FREE when you subscribe
to THRASHER Magazine
with this coupon.
THRASHER
MAGAZINE
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION U.S. $12.00 (2 YEARS $22.00)
1 YEAR CANADA $20.00, FOREIGN $25.00
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO
THRASHER/DEPT. R
P.O. BOX 884570
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94188-4570
Name (please print)
Address
City
Amt. Encl.
CHECK
Credit Card No.
Age
State
+
Zip
MONEY ORDER
VISA
MASTERCARD
Signature as it appears on card.
Exp. Date
Give De
100 Cassettes Provided by Subcore Records.
Offer limited to first 100 subscribers with this coupon only
96
97