Best Revenge
Best Revenge emerged from the vibrant queercore scene in Los Angeles, offering a unique blend of melodic punk rock with queer-oriented lyrics. Active from early 1998 until December 2002, they quickly became known for their bold message and energetic performances.
Formation and Early Days
Best Revenge was formed in early 1998 by Ryan Revenge (vocals/guitar) and KT (bass/vocals), who had previously played together in the band Happybomb while at the University of Southern California. Ryan envisioned creating a melodic punk band with queer themes, sharing some of his early songs with KT – including the track “Punk Rock Fag,” which would later become an anthem for the band.
While seeking a rehearsal space and drummer, fate intervened when they answered an ad to rent a garage in Venice Beach, CA. This garage, once home to Jordan Crane, was occupied by Bilito Peligro, who joined the band on drums. This fortunate meeting solidified the band’s early lineup and set the stage for their journey.
Recognizing the need to support and document local queer punk music, Ryan and Bilito founded Spitshine Records. The label released all of Best Revenge’s work and supported other local acts, cementing their role in the burgeoning queercore movement in Los Angeles.
After the Breakup
Following their disbandment in December 2002, members of Best Revenge embarked on diverse paths. Ryan Revenge continued playing music with bands like Exit Plan and Terrazzo, eventually earning a Ph.D. in Political Science and becoming an associate professor at Bradley University. Drummer Bilito Peligro remained active in the Los Angeles music scene, playing with bands such as Miata, Temperamentals, and Local Channel, and also joined a Go-Go’s tribute band.
KT, known offstage as Trixie Biscuit during her roller derby days, skated for the Fight Crew team, performed stunts in film and television, and works as an Operations Specialist at the Maximum Fun podcast network. The band’s song “Know You” was featured in the 2004 gay horror film Hellbent, alongside tracks from other queercore pioneers.
Best Revenge was also highlighted in the 2005 book Homocore: The Loud and Raucous Rise of Queer Punk by Ken Knox and David Ciminelli, underscoring their influence on the genre.
Music Releases
Albums and EPs
- Begin (2000) – Debut EP on Spitshine Records
- Pink On the Inside (2001) – Split EP with prettypony on Spitshine Records
- Starts With You (2002) – Full-length album on Spitshine Records
Contributions to Compilations
- 2001 – “Rockabilly Boy, Cockring for Christmas” on Freak Show, Year One
- 2002 – “Bash Back” on Stand Up & Fucking Fight For It
- 2002 – “Typical” on One Year Later…It Still Hurts: Queers Against G8
- 2003 – “Bash Back (Live on KXLU)” on Freak Show, Year Three
Band Lineups Over Time
Throughout their existence, Best Revenge underwent several lineup changes, especially with the departure and return of key members. These changes reflected the band’s evolving sound and the challenges of sustaining a long-term project in the punk scene.
Early Years (1998–December 2001)
- Ryan Revenge – vocals and guitar
- KT – bass and vocals
- Bilito Peligro – drums and vocals
Shift in 2002
- January to May 2002: Ryan Revenge, Bilito Peligro, and Shug on bass and vocals
- May to December 2002: Lineup expanded to include Glen Livid on bass and Frisky McNicholl on second guitar and vocals alongside Ryan and Bilito
Final Lineup and Show
- For their final performance on December 6, 2002, the band consisted of Ryan Revenge, Bilito Peligro, returning KT on bass and vocals, and Frisky McNicholl on second guitar and vocals
