HOWIE ABRAMS: "START TODAY"

Ah yes…the “youth crew.” No movement within mid-80’s hardcore provided me with a wider array of mixed feelings than this stuff. While I appreciated the earnestness of the message, the manner in which the second wave of straight edge bands polarized the scene was as divisive as it was invigorating. That said – there were some great bands to come from it; as did the rise to prominence of Revelation Records.

Generally speaking, Youth of Today was game-changing, in large part due to Ray Cappo. You either loved Ray Cappo or you loathed him, but there was no doubting his determination, or his ability to rile kids the fuck up. YOT was also a big FUCK YOU to the hardcore/metal crossover, which folks also loved and hated in equal parts. If you were into music, you welcomed the newfangled metallic edge hardcore was taking on. If you were a HC purist, you gravitated towards Youth of Today and the band’s old-school approach.

Oh right – I’m supposed to talk about these 2 albums. "Break Down The Walls" was a big deal, as it really helped get YOT across the U.S. with their brand of straight edge hardcore, however, I think many will agree that its predecessor... the "Can’t Close My Eyes" EP was even better. Neither is a sonic masterpiece, but both come with explosive energy and in your face conviction. However, an album by any hardcore outfit should make you dig a band even more than you already do, and "BDTW" did not accomplish that for me.

Gorilla Biscuits’ "Start Today" on the other hand actually turned me around on the band completely. When I first heard GB on the early Revelation compilations, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. Their early live shows were okay, but nothing to write home about either, save for the infectious, yet somewhat reserved personality of one Anthony Civorelli. He made you feel, as most hardcore front people should, like you belonged because you could relate. Upon the release of GB’s debut full-length, I was sold. I definitely didn’t expect trumpets as an intro, and was caught completely off guard by the sheer power and intensity that followed. They didn’t shove straight edge down your throat, yet their message was loud and clear.

YOT made a MUCH bigger impact on hardcore overall, but as far as albums go, "Start Today" is my winner.

BRETT BEACH: “BREAK DOWN THE WALLS”

While the “Age Of Quarrel/Victim In Pain” debate Chris setoff kept me up at night I have no such conflict with BDTW vs. Start Today. Youth Of Today’s “Break Down the Walls” is the very definition of a life changing record. One only needs to hear the first five seconds of “Make a Change” to know this is a special record; if you’re blood isn’t boiling by the time it’s over there’s no hope for you. BDTW is an absolute blueprint of ‘80’s hardcore and straight edge, every song delivered with sincerity and power. “Thinking Straight” is one of the best hardcore songs of all time, period, end of story. The beat goes on; “Stabbed in the Back”, “Take A Stand”… “Break Down the Walls” (a true anthem). The only demerits I can give to BDTW is the reworking of “We Just Might” into “Time to Forgive” (corny) and the later remixes and repackaging; all inferior to the original, which is perfect in just about every way.

“Start Today” on the other hand… where do I begin? I was underwhelmed by this record when it first dropped. I, like every other hardcore kid in 1989, was a huge Biscuits fan, having seen them many times. Anticipation was high for the record and the first thing you hear is trumpets… okay, “New Direction” makes up for that, that song still can raise my blood pressure. But the record goes downhill fast after that. Face it: Most of the songs are filler. “Forgotten” is great, but that was an old song. “Start Today” would be okay if not for that regrettable harmonica interlude. “Stand Still”, “Good Intentions”, “Things We Say”… they pack(ed) a punch live thanks to the bands energy and the crowd response, but these songs are weak. If I’m in a mood for the Biscuits I’m spinning the 7”, my LP hasn’t left its jacket since 1990.

If someone wanted an example of late ‘80’s SXE hardcore I’d pull BDTW’s out of my collection without a moments hesitation while hiding “Start Today” somewhere hoping they don’t ask about it. A better debate is “Break Down the Walls” or “We’re Not In This Alone”.  

KEN “KWE” WAGNER “BREAK DOWN THE WALLS”

Well this is another humdinger of a challenge .... Youth Crew Straight Edge innuendo's flying all over the place…Two bands that played side by side very often back in the 80's .....Chris gives me another reason to climb up into the attic and bust out some old vinyl.

I remember Ray coming to shows way before YOT and always thought of him as a brother. Never really hung out with Civ and the GB crew which is kinda funny being they came from Jackson Heights reppin’ the Queens crew… me coming from Astoria but so be it...Both records have songs with a lot of deep meaning behind them which I could and still relate to till this day. You know when you hear that totally recognizable horn play on “Start Today” it's classic GB! Not a bad song off the whole album. No knock on Civ but I think he sounded better on his Civ records than when GB plays now… I guess maturity has a lot to do with it (not him personally but his voice).

“Break Down The Walls”… again lyrics that I could totally relate too even though I was never straight edge. Ray’s growling voice on this album undeniable.... I never thought they were the second coming of Minor Threat nor did I think they sounded generic. But that's my opinion, Porcell rips it up, Craig "The Journeyman " Setari on bass enough said! Listening to these records from start to finish its so damn close on so many different levels. But I'm gonna go with.....”Break Down The Walls” by a nose.    

MATT SAINCOME “BREAK DOWN THE WALLS”

It's like the immovable object vs the unstoppable force. Both albums are hardcore classics that not only changed the sound of the genre, but also offered insightful and lasting lyrics. Observations like “Hat's off to bands that change. . . don't play for us if your heart's not in it” or “Look beyond the fashion or the crowd that they are in/ Look beyond their riches or the color of their skin / Look beyond appearance and the truth you will find / Look for what's inside before you make up your mind” have been ringing in the heads of several hardcore generations ever since they were penned.

Although a battle between the two albums would be quite the war, I think it's fair to say the two go hand in hand as a tag team in the minds of most hardcore maniacs. But every tag team has its star, and for me, that's “Break Down The Walls.” The lasting impact of the lyrics and drum beats from this album can still be seen all over the HC world, and as a straight edger, it's always helped me get my PMA back when I needed it most.

                                  Winner: BREAK DOWN THE FUCKING WALLS!      

TOM "TC3" CAPONE: "BREAK DOWN THE WALLS"

Youth Of Today’s “Break Down The Walls” is a record I prefer over Gorilla Biscuits’ “Start Today;” the main reason is the difference in sound and lyrics. “Break Down The Walls” is more scornful, dark and honest, with killer musicians. This record contains fierce emotion, especially if you were straight edge, or interested in any of the things Youth of Today brought to the mix.  I became vegetarian because they introduced me to it, and others joined the Hare Krishna movement because of them.

On the flip side, Gorilla Biscuits’ “Start Today” is a great fucking album with lots of Youth Of Today influences on it, though GB packs a lighter punch with a melodic sound and elements of pop. Gorilla Biscuits was more fun, whereas Youth Of Today was more contemptuous of society- that’s a big reason why I like “Break Down The Walls.”

Musically and lyrically it is dangerous, risky and scathing. YOT were pissed off, yet had a positive solution to give kids. That’s what attracted me, and that’s why this record is very special.