Agnostic Front

Agnostic Front is a seminal American hardcore punk band that began making waves in New York City in 1980. Widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in the hardcore punk movement, they were instrumental in shaping the sound and ethos of New York hardcore. Their gritty, street-level perspective on music and life, coupled with their fierce energy, positioned them as pioneers not only in hardcore but also in the crossover thrash genre.

History

First Era (1980–1992)

Agnostic Front was founded in 1980 by Vincent “Vinnie Stigma” Capuccio, a former member of The Eliminators, who took up the role of lead guitarist. The original lineup also included Diego on bass, Rob Krekus—also known as Robby Crypt Crash—on drums, and John Watson handling vocals. Although their debut concert was under the name “Zoo Crew,” Stigma, asserting their identity, introduced the band as Agnostic Front, indicating a shift from the initial name featured on promotional posters.

In their early days, the band underwent several lineup changes. Notably, Ray Barbieri, known as Raybeez, joined as the new drummer, and Adam Mucci stepped in on bass. After Watson’s arrest, James Kontra briefly took over as the vocalist but left following a dispute with Stigma. This led to Roger Miret, who had previously played bass for The Psychos, being recruited as the lead vocalist due to his unique style of slam dancing. By 1983, the group had recorded their debut EP, United Blood, though Mucci had been replaced by Todd Youth by the time it was officially released.

During this period, the band was associated with the skinhead subculture, which sparked controversy and led to accusations of ultra-nationalist or fascist leanings. Miret addressed these concerns in a 1985 interview with Flipside, clarifying that while they embraced the skinhead style, they did not subscribe to the political ideologies associated with it in England. The band’s follow-up album, Victim in Pain (1984), became a cornerstone of the New York hardcore genre, marking a significant moment in the band’s history.

The band continued to evolve, with Dave Jones replacing Raybeez on drums as the latter dealt with personal issues. Jones, a New Jersey native and former member of Mental Abuse, was a temporary fit until Jimmy “The Kid” Colletti took over during a tour with The Exploited. Despite numerous lineup changes and challenges, Agnostic Front solidified their place in the hardcore scene with Victim in Pain and their powerful live performances at venues like CBGB, sharing stages with other New York hardcore icons such as Cro-Mags and Murphy’s Law.

In 1986, Agnostic Front released Cause for Alarm, an album marked by a more complex recording process due to the instability of the lineup. This release saw the incorporation of thrash metal elements, aligning them with the crossover thrash movement alongside bands like Suicidal Tendencies and Stormtroopers of Death. The album also featured contributions from Peter Steele and Louie Beateaux of Carnivore. Miret briefly left the band during this time, but returned before the album’s release, which led to further lineup changes and the eventual release of Liberty and Justice For… in 1987. The new album, characterized by its raw punk sound, struggled commercially compared to earlier efforts.

As the decade closed, Miret faced legal issues that resulted in his imprisonment, during which he wrote much of the material for their 1992 album, One Voice. This album was largely shaped by Miret’s experiences and featured contributions from members of Madball and Sick of It All. However, soon after its release, Agnostic Front disbanded following a final performance at CBGB in December 1992. This concert was later released as the live album Last Warning in 1993.

Second Era (1996–Present)

In May 1996, Vinnie Stigma and Roger Miret resurrected Agnostic Front, kicking off a series of reunion shows in December of that year. The band signed with Epitaph Records, welcoming back Jimmy Colletti on drums and Rob Kabula on bass. Their return to the studio resulted in the album Something’s Gotta Give, released in 1998, followed by Riot, Riot, Upstart in 1999. The latter’s title track even earned them an MTV Award, underscoring their continued relevance and impact on the hardcore punk genre.

In 2001, Agnostic Front released Dead Yuppies, though the band played songs from this album sparingly in live performances, as they considered it more of a side project for Jimmy Colletti’s band, Loved and Hated. Around the same time, Roger Miret pursued a side project, Roger Miret and the Disasters, which aimed to recapture the essence of old-school punk and Oi!. The band also made a notable appearance in Matthew Barney’s avant-garde film Cremaster 3, alongside Murphy’s Law.

Their 2004 album, Another Voice, was seen as a continuation of the sound established with One Voice, though it received mixed reviews. Some fans and critics felt the band was attempting to align with the then-popular ‘tough guy’ hardcore trend, a move that alienated some of their older fanbase. Despite this, the album further cemented their legacy within the hardcore community. Agnostic Front also contributed to the mash-up album Threat: Music That Inspired the Movie with a track remixed by Schizoid, reflecting their willingness to experiment with their sound.

In 2006, the band released a live DVD, Live at CBGB, as a tribute to the iconic venue that had played such a pivotal role in their career. Roger Miret claimed that Agnostic Front had performed more shows at CBGB than any other band and had participated in numerous benefit shows to keep the club open. Following the closure of CBGB, much of the nostalgia surrounding the venue focused on 1970s punk bands, but Agnostic Front’s contributions to its legacy were undeniable.

In 2007, Agnostic Front released Warriors, featuring the track “For My Family,” which continued the band’s exploration of crossover thrash. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of their debut LP Victim in Pain, Bridge Nine Records reissued remastered versions of both the album and their first EP, United Blood, in 2009. The band maintained a rigorous touring schedule, performing on the Persistence Tour in Europe and being confirmed for the 2012 Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, England.

The 2015 release of The American Dream Died through Nuclear Blast Records saw Agnostic Front returning to their roots, blending their classic hardcore style with a modern edge. The album received positive reviews, and the band continued to tour extensively in both Europe and the United States in support of the release. In 2017, Vinnie Stigma and Roger Miret were the subjects of a documentary titled The Godfathers of Hardcore, directed by Ian McFarland, which chronicled the band’s enduring legacy.

In 2022, it was revealed that longtime drummer Pokey Mo had parted ways with Agnostic Front in 2020, with Danny Lamagna stepping in as the new drummer, signaling yet another chapter in the band’s ongoing story.

Members

Current

• Vinnie Stigma – lead guitar, backing vocals (1980–1992, 1997–present)
• Roger Miret – lead vocals (1982–1986, 1986–1992, 1997–present)
• Mike Gallo – bass, backing vocals (2000–present)
• Craig Silverman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–present)
• Danny Lamagna – drums (2020–present)

Former

• Rob Krekus – drums (1980–1981)
• John Watson – lead vocals (1980–1982)
• James Kontra – lead vocals (1982)
• Diego – bass (1980–1982)
• Raymond “Raybeez” Barbieri – drums (1981–1983, died 1997)
• Adam Mucci – bass (1982–1983)
• Dave Jones – drums (1983–1985)
• Rob Kabula – bass (1983–1987, 1997–2000) one-off performance in 2022
• Todd Youth – bass (1983, died 2018)
• Alex Kinon – rhythm guitar (1985–1986)
• Carl Demola – vocals (1986)
• Gordon Ancis – rhythm guitar (1986–1987)
• Joe “Fish” Montanaro – drums (1986–1987)
• Louie Beato – drums (1986)
• Alan Peters – bass (1987, died 2020)
• Steve Martin – rhythm guitar (1987–1990)
• Will Shepler – drums (1987–1992)
• Craig Setari – bass (1987–1992)
• Matt Henderson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1990–1992)
• Jimmy Colletti – drums (1997–2004)
• Steve Gallo – drums (2004–2009)
• Joseph James – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2007–2014)
• Pokey Mo – drums (2009–2020)