1: Top 3 pieces of hardcore memorabilia or records that you have owned over the years?

Porcell: I sold everything over the years. Most of my records and shirts I sold when I moved into a Krishna temple and wanted to simplify my life. Treasures I got rid of included a stack of at least a dozen “Chung Kings”, including a test pressing (which probably would've put my kids through college these days). Another piece of gold I had was the Bad Brains “Pay To Cum” 7" with pic sleeve, I found that back in the 80's at a jazz record store and bought it for $5. I got rid of every Misfits single signed by Glenn Danzig too. This was before e-Bay. I probably could've bought a house if I sold my records today.  I had a pretty insane collection.

2: What line of work are you in these days?

Porcell: I'm a yoga teacher. I own a yoga studio in upstate NY called Govinda Yoga. (See link at end) I had been doing yoga for about 15 years and got sick of working for the man, so I just went with what I was passionate about and never looked back.

3: How many children do you have and what in your opinion is the best part about being a parent?

Porcell: I have 2 kids. My son is 13 and my daughter is 10. Love them to pieces. The best part of being a parent is learning firsthand that sacrifice for those you love is the greatest happiness. 

4: What was the first hardcore or punk record that you ever bought?

Porcell: Hmmm, I had a bunch of Devo and Ramones records that I bought in 7th grade. My first hardcore record though was the first Dead Kennedys record, which pretty much changed my life. A few weeks later I bought The Misfits "3 Hits from Hell”, Black Flag "Jealous Again" and Circle Jerks "Group Sex" all in one shot. That was it, from then on it was eat, sleep and breathe hardcore.

5: What is the worst job you ever had and what were your responsibilities?

Porcell: Damn, I've had A LOT of crappy jobs. Shoveling snow at condos in Westchester, 8 hours a day on Christmas break when I was in high school. I was a bike messenger in Manhattan and one time I got doored and knocked into the street sideways. This HUGE Marine in uniform got out of the car and yelled "look what you did to my f'ing door!" and proceeded to pummel me right there in the middle of the street, with my feet still clipped into the pedals.

6: Where was the first Youth Of Today show and can you give a little background to that day?

Porcell: The first YOT show was incredible. It was with Agnostic Front at a club in CT called Sal D's. Me and Ray were friends with Roger and Vinny from when we were in Violent Children so they hooked up our new band with our first show. I met Richie Underdog there. He had high top Vans on and a skateboard so that pretty much sealed the deal that we were gonna be friends. 

9: Who actually came up with the name Youth Of Today?

Porcell: I can't remember if it was me or Ray, but we were discussing names and wanted something that would let people know that we were hardcore, because a lot of bands were growing out of thrash at the time, but we still loved it. "Youth Of Today" was a line in songs by Cause For Alarm, the Abused and the Avengers, so we adopted it as our own.

10: In your opinion what are some of the biggest misconceptions about being a Hare Krishna?

Porcell: Seriously, the biggest misconception that people jump to again and again is that it is some kind of "new" religion or cult that was started in the 60's. Vaisnavism (the proper sanskrit name for the "Hare Krishnas") is thousands of years old and has a very extensive, elaborate philosophy that pre-dates Christianity and Buddhism. It's funny, because when I became a devotee 20 years ago, much of the practices of Krishna consciousness were considered weird, but with the rise in popularity of yoga, things like chanting, meditation, self-realization, and study of Vedic literature has actually become cool and accepted! For a great read on the modern day Hare Krishna movement, check out this Details magazine article... http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201405/hare-krishna-returns-modern-religion-cult

11: Favorite sport that you like to watch…and…favorite sport that you like to participate in? and why?

Porcell: I used to love to play and watch football when I was a teenager, but honestly I don't watch any sports at all now. I haven't had a TV since I moved out of my dad's house, and it was the best decision I ever made. I'm way more into reading, which I spent a lot of my free time doing. I'm not against sports and I encourage my kids to play, but I get so much exercise from my job of teaching yoga that I don't really need to play sports to keep in shape nowadays.

12: Your top 3 all-time Youth Of Today songs are…

Porcell: “Take A Stand”, “Break Down The Walls” and “Flame Still Burns”. I actually love them all, but those 3 really hit home for me when we play them. Especially “Flame Still Burns”. At the time when we wrote that song, we were so vocal and outspoken about straight edge that edge haters aimed all their antagonism directly at us, but we were never discouraged. "Thought I was broken, but the spirit remains."

13: What are some things/hobbies that you like to do if you get some free time when your home?

Porcell: Reading is number one. I love a good book and I read every single day. I also enjoy riding my road bike on long trips, I live in upstate NY and there are so many beautiful, scenic places to ride around here. I also like to spend time with my kids, they grow up so fast so I want to make every moment with them count.

14: Do you listen to all the demos and music people give to you when you are on tour and have you ever found a really good band this way?

Porcell: Rarely. Last good demo I really championed was the Beyond demo, so I'm probably the wrong person to even recognize what the next big thing is!

15: What is the record that you have played on that you are most proud to be a part of?

Porcell: Hmmm. I'm proud of them all in different ways. I think the Judge “New York Crew” EP really captured some magic. “Break Down The Walls” still gets me amped when I hear it. The Shelter records I'm also proud of because I think we really went out on a limb and took chances, and just went with what we believed in.

16: The most famous person/celebrity you have ever met was…

Porcell: I've met a lot of famous people. When I first moved to NY, me, Cappo, Gavin, Richie, Mark Ryan and Eddie Leeway all worked at that club The Tunnel and famous people were in and out of there every night. Quite honestly most of them were coked out of their minds, so a straight edge kid like me couldn't relate. Winona Ryder was a hot mess. Hulk Hogan was actually mad cool. Michael J. Fox was always super appreciative of anything you did for him and was over the top generous with tipping. He didn't even mind that I addressed him as Marty McFly. Mike Tyson was out of his freakin' mind, but the bouncers were too scared to kick him out. Shelter did a whole US arena tour with No Doubt when they were at their height of popularity and Gwen Stefani was so personable, humble and down to earth, even though she had tens of thousands of kids crying at the sight of her. Probably the person that had the biggest impression on me was Joe Strummer. I was walking by myself down 10th Street one night and I just ran right into him. It turned out he was in town working on that movie Mystery Train and I had to stop him and let him know how much The Clash meant to me. He was very genuinely appreciative and took about 15 minutes of his life to talk with me on the sidewalk, musician to musician, without a hint of ego. I'll never forget that.

17: Who was the person or artist that inspired you the most to want to be a guitar player?

Porcell: Ace Frehley. I went to see Kiss when I was 12 at Madison Square Garden, it was my first concert ever and they completely, wholly and unequivocally blew my freakin' little mind. When I saw Ace playing “Shock Me” with smoke pouring out of his guitar I knew I had found my calling.

18: Outside of playing music name 3 things that you feel you are really good at?

Porcell: Handstands, arm wrestling and opening jars no one else can open.

19: If you could be 21 years old again tell us a few things you would like to go back and do?

Porcell: 1: Put out the Beyond and Alone in a Crowd records on Schism. 2: Record “We're Not In This Alone” at Don Fury's instead of Chung King. 3: Go on tour with Sham 69 (they toured the states and needed a roadie and the booking agent asked me if I wanted to do it and I turned it down). 4: Date Sarah Jessica Parker (she used to hang out in the Lower East Side from time to time). 5: See Nirvana at the Pyramid club (they played there way before “Nevermind” was out and I peaked my head in the door but didn't go inside). 6: See Dag Nasty with Dave Smalley singing (I went to a prom instead). 7: Hang out with Dee Dee Ramone (he was in Washington Square Park just about every day and I never once talked to him!). 

20: You have played in many bands with many musicians. Who out of all the people you have played with would you say was the most gifted musically?

Porcell: Really, we were all just a bunch of hacks playing as fast as we could, but that was the beauty of it... it was more about the heart and the spirit than the muzo talent. Give me Stigma over Eddie Van Halen any day. One person that could actually play though was Mackie. He played drums for Shelter on a bunch of tours and man, that guy is absolutely amazing. It's not just his technique either, he's got his own unique style that just emanates coolness. Just awesome. We started every Shelter practice with him playing “We Gotta Know”. 

Bonus Question 21: If they made a movie about your life who would you want them to get to play you?

Porcell: Daniel Radcliffe. If Harry Potter played me, my kids would go nuts.

Bonus Question 22: Your 3 favorite countries to visit while on tour… and why?

Porcell: 1: Italy. Best people, best food, best weather. It's just an incredible, warm, open hearted country (and I'm not just saying that because my last name's Porcelly!) 2: Czech. Really just because of Prague, that city is mind blowing. I could walk around for days just looking at the architecture. 3: Singapore. It's hot, right on the water, and the hardcore kids go off like I've never seen before. Such enthusiastic, appreciative, know-every-word-to-every-song kinda crowds.