Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits
Ignite
Gorilla Biscuits
Hardcore icons Gorilla Biscuits came together in the late '80s to add their two cents to the straight-edge scene in New York City. Ironically enough though, their name came from the street term for Quaaludes. The group went through various members in their time together, but the band's "definitive" lineup was the team of vocalist Anthony Civarelli, bassist Arthur Smilios, drummer Luke Abbey, and guitarists and (eventually) Alex Brown; John "Porcell" Porcelly (guitar) and Sammy Siegler (drums) also served in the Biscuits' ranks. No last names were used on any of their recordings; in fact, Civarelli went by the name "Civ" at the time. They were very reactionary, trying to move the movement away from the militant rules that many hardcore straight-edge fans had created around their favorite bands. The main goal was to try and include anyone who wanted to take on their political views without worrying about the aesthetics, something that made them unpopular with many in the movement. They managed to tour the U.S. once and Europe twice, and release two albums on Revelation Records (a 1988 self-titled 7" and 1989's highly influential Start Today) before left the group to form the melodic hardcore/metal band in 1990. Gorilla Biscuits were officially broken up, playing a final gig together in 1992, but in reality the remaining members turned around and formed , a pop-punk combo that scored a minor hit with "Can't Wait One Minute More" when they reappeared on a major label in 1994. Gorilla Biscuits reunited in 2005 during the Save CBGB's campaign (when the famed venue was on the brink of closure), which ultimately led to the band embarking on a subsequent nationwide tour. ~ Bradley Torreano, Rovi
Ignite burst out of Orange County’s punk and hardcore scene in 1993, firing on all cylinders with a mix of raw intensity, soaring melody, and lyrics that carried real weight. Their debut EP Where They Talk in 1994 set the tone, and by the time Our Darkest Days arrived in 2006, Ignite had become a global force, packing clubs, tearing up festival stages, and inspiring a dedicated worldwide following.
In 2022 the band opened a bold new chapter with their self-titled album, introducing vocalist Eli Santana and proving once again that their passion burns as strong as ever. The record captures everything fans love about Ignite: anthemic hooks, powerful messages, and a raw energy built for the stage. Today, with Eli joined by longtime members Brett Rasmussen (bass), Nik Hill (guitar), and Craig Anderson (drums), Ignite continue to move forward with the same purpose that has driven them from the very beginning.
Over the years Ignite have shared stages with everyone from Bad Religion and Suicidal Tendencies to Avenged Sevenfold, Rise Against, Madball, and Comeback Kid, along with appearances at some of the biggest festivals in the world. With more than three decades behind them, Ignite remain unstoppable. This is a band that turns conviction into melody, energy into unity, and every show into a reminder that punk and hardcore are still very much alive.