Gorilla Biscuits

Few bands in hardcore history have carried as much weight with so few records as Gorilla Biscuits. Formed in New York City in 1986, they were the beating heart of the youth crew movement, taking the intensity of straight-edge hardcore and injecting it with melody, unity, and humor. They weren’t the biggest, they weren’t the loudest, but they might have been the most human. Even now, decades later, the optimism of Gorilla Biscuits still feels radical in a scene built on aggression.

How the Band Got Started

Gorilla Biscuits came together when bassist Arthur Smilios and vocalist Anthony “Civ” Civarelli met in high school in Queens, New York. Both were regulars at CBGB, where bands like Agnostic Front, Youth of Today, and Warzone shaped what New York hardcore would become. They wanted to make music with that same energy, but without the posturing that sometimes came with it.

The band’s name came from a slang term for quaaludes, which were jokingly called “gorilla biscuits” for their size. It was supposed to be a temporary name for a one-off gig arranged by Token Entry, but like all good punk accidents, it stuck. Early shows were chaotic, Civ famously too nervous to face the crowd, singing toward the floor. Yet their self-deprecating charm and message of inclusivity caught on quickly.

First Demos and Revelation Records

In the late 1980s, Gorilla Biscuits recorded a handful of lo-fi demos, distributing them by hand at shows and through friends. Their early shirts were drawn with markers, their flyers were photocopied on borrowed machines, and their mission was simple: keep hardcore fun and positive.

Revelation Records released their debut self-titled 7-inch in 1988, featuring “Better Than You” and other early anthems. The EP became an underground hit and a defining moment for both the label and the scene. Gorilla Biscuits weren’t trying to reinvent hardcore — they were reminding everyone why it mattered. Their music was fast, honest, and full of life, with Civ’s voice carrying messages about self-improvement and unity instead of self-destruction.

Start Today and the Height of Youth Crew

By 1989, Gorilla Biscuits had evolved into a powerhouse. They released Start Today, an album that cemented their status as legends. With songs like “New Direction,” “Stand Still,” and “Start Today,” they captured the idealism of a generation that wanted to live with purpose. The album’s production was cleaner than their debut, but it didn’t soften their punch — it sharpened it. Start Today became Revelation’s best-selling record and one of the most beloved hardcore albums of all time.

What made the band different was their approach. They weren’t trying to sound tough or nihilistic. They sang about friendship, staying true to yourself, and being accountable. It was hardcore with a smile — rare then, and even rarer now. Civ’s charisma and Walter Schreifels’ songwriting created a sound that managed to be both explosive and deeply personal. They toured the U.S. and Europe, their shows more like celebrations than battles.

The Breakup and New Directions

In the early 1990s, the members began drifting into new projects. Schreifels formed Quicksand, bringing hardcore’s intensity into post-hardcore and alternative rock. Civ went on to front CIV, a band that found mainstream success with “Can’t Wait One Minute More,” co-written by Schreifels himself. Smilios and Abbey stayed active in the New York scene, and Gorilla Biscuits quietly disbanded around 1991.

Even in their absence, their influence spread. The positivity and personal ethics they stood for became foundational for the youth crew revival that followed. Bands like Good Clean Fun, Have Heart, and Bane would later echo Gorilla Biscuits’ message of hope, inclusivity, and conviction.

Reunion Shows and Continued Legacy

Gorilla Biscuits reunited in 1997 for a benefit show honoring Raybeez of Warzone. The following years saw sporadic appearances, including a 2005 benefit for CBGB and a 2006 tour celebrating the reissue of Start Today. Revelation Records remastered and re-released the album with new liner notes by Schreifels, introducing a new generation to the record that defined melodic hardcore.

From 2007 onward, Gorilla Biscuits toured Europe and North America, appearing at major festivals and hardcore reunions. Their 2007 European tour even included a collaboration with Paul Frank, resulting in limited-edition Gorilla Biscuits wallets sold exclusively in his stores — proof that the band’s DIY ethic could still cross over in strange, punk ways.

In 2011, they headlined the Black N Blue Bowl at Webster Hall. A year later, they joined Youth of Today, Sick of It All, and others at the Revelation Records 25th Anniversary shows in Pomona, California. Every reunion felt more like a family gathering than a nostalgia act — the songs still mattered, and the crowd still shouted every word.

Controversy and Reflection

In 2016, during a set at the This Is Hardcore festival, Civ made a statement about unity that was misunderstood by some as an “All Lives Matter” comment. He later clarified that his intention was the opposite — that true equality shouldn’t even need to be debated. His clarification reflected the band’s long-standing belief in empathy and inclusion, ideas that had always been central to their lyrics and ethos.

Tragedy hit in 2019 when longtime guitarist Alex Brown died from a stroke. Brown had been a core member through the late 1980s and rejoined for the reunions. His loss was deeply felt throughout the hardcore community. The band continued performing with Charlie Garriga, who had played with Judge, Quicksand, and CIV, ensuring the music stayed in the family.

Why They Still Matter

Gorilla Biscuits never relied on volume or controversy to make an impact. They relied on honesty. Their message was about self-improvement, friendship, and purpose — values that cut through the cynicism of punk’s darker corners. Every show, whether in 1988 or 2024, feels like an invitation to join something bigger than yourself. Their songs remain timeless because they’re built on sincerity and hope, not hype.

Members

• Anthony “Civ” Civarelli – vocals (1986–1991, 1997, 2005–present)
• Walter Schreifels – guitar (1986–1991, 1997, 2005–present)
• Arthur “Meow” Smilios – bass (1986–1991, 1997, 2005–present)
• Luke Abbey – drums (1986–1989, 1997, 2005–present)
• Charlie Garriga – guitar (2019–present)

Former Members

• Sammy Siegler – drums (1985, 1990–1991)
• Eric Fink – bass (1987–1988)
• Mike Clark – bass
• Mark Haworth – bass
• John Porcelly – guitar
• Tom Capone – guitar
• Alex Brown – guitar (1987–1989, 1997, 2005–2019; deceased)

Discography

• Original 1987 Tape Demo (1988; bootleg, later included on Walter Sings the Hits) – 99 Records
• Gorilla Biscuits (1988; debut 7” EP) – Revelation Records
• Start Today (1989; full-length album) – Revelation Records
• Having a Great Time… Wish You Were Here (1991; live soundboard recording from Germany) – 99 Records
• Walter Sings the Hits (1990s; bootleg compilation with alternate vocals, demos, and live sets) – No Label
• A Puzzle of 38 Pieces (1990s; bootleg release) – Unknown label
• Live at CBGB – 8/14/05 (2005; live bootleg)
• 2 Song 7-inch (2006; self-released limited tour EP featuring new material)

The Story After the Noise

Even with just one full-length album and a handful of EPs, Gorilla Biscuits’ impact can’t be overstated. Their songs became the soundtrack for a generation of punks who wanted something better — not just to destroy, but to rebuild. From cramped CBGB sets to international reunion tours, their message never changed. They made hardcore sound hopeful, and that’s why, almost forty years later, their name still gets shouted from every pit that values community over chaos.