Biographical facts:
Gorilla Biscuits is a New York Hardcore band from New York in the United States Of America. During the mid to late eighties they were part of a new wave of (Straight-Edge) Hardcore also known as Youth Crew Hardcore. That wave consisted out of bands like Youth Of Today, Bold, Judge, Side By Side, Project X, Gorilla Biscuits,… Although the epicentre of the scene New York Hardcore scene lay in Lower East Side Manhattan, they were guys from Queens. Civ hung out with Arthur from Token Entry and they became friends with Walter, who moved in from Ohio. They skateboarded together as well. In 1986 the band was born and Civ and Walter needed players. They started rehearsing and played their first show in a basement in Queens. With some cover songs and original songs. The Alleyway Crew (Sick Of it All) attented the show and thought it was cool. Many projects and shows between Gorilla Biscuits and Sick Of It All followed. The vocalist of the band Civ was also roadie during the Youth Of Today “Break Down The Walls” summer tour in 1987.(1)
The band self-released a demo tape in 1987.(2) After that they released their first 7 inch on Revelation Records. This post is about that record.
In 1989 Gorilla Biscuits also did a European tour. And they did a show with Rise Above at the Limelight in Kortrijk, Belgium.
Gorilla Biscuits self-titled 7 inch:
Pressing Information:
The pictured record has purple lettering and yellow vinyl. Is known to be a copy from the second pressing. Not going too deep into the pressing info. Check other sources like the Rev text and True Till Rev for example. In recent years the record was still in press in it’s original 7 inch format.
What you also see is that Revelation Records’ old address is in New Haven, Connecticut, while currently they operate from Huntington Beach, California. As they moved from the East coast to the West coast somewhere in the early nineties.
The record was recorded by Don Fury who has also produced many records for many bands like Agnostic Front, Into Another, 108, Inside Out and many more.
The iconic cover art was done by Brian Clark. And has become classic artwork. It inspired so many graphical desingers to follow and to make covers inspired by this artwork up until today.
Elaboration song by song:
Gorilla Biscuits are known for their positive message and often up tempo, playful and melodic music. They produced a delivery filled with positive energy. Also known for their bass lines that define helped define Old School New York Hardcore.
High Hopes
This well written lyric is telling us that when things go good for you, you don’t really appreciate what you have achieved. And when things go bad or you didn’t get what you wanted you need to keep up the hope and don’t let it break your spirit. Just keep looking forward the same way. That’s the best way to cope with hardships. And even when you are on the bottom, you are at a place where you need to look up. And it’s also a friendly invitation to others to look at life the same way.
This song is added as audio sample not only because of the positivity of the mental attitude. But also added for the highlighted bass lines in the beginning of the song and during the song. Really a good example for Old School New York Hardcore. The paced fast (snare drum) drumming also give a disciplined feel to the music. Which adds positivity as well. While the guitar gives the whole heaviness.
Big Mouth
Big mouth opens up with the fact that friendships aren’t always reciprocal. Some people betray, lie and tell gossip. This behaviour is getting clear to the lyric writer. And he tells the person to stop straight-up front.
No Reason Why
Civ witnessed some stupid things at matinee shows as well. Tough guys picking fights with new and old kids. Poser skins beaten up at matinee shows. Middle class suburban kids stealing money. And that kids weren’t allowed at the matinee shows because all of this. There is no reason why all of this should happen. In his book, Civ also tells that these were hot topics in the scene back then.(1) There was a sense of caring in the scene.
GM2
Is a short instumental track that starts with a bassline as well and then slowly echoes out. GM2 was the nick name of one of the persons who initially played in the band as he had instruments and a garage to play in. His full name was George Mengasopolous II. And he was Greek.(1)
Hold Your Ground
Hold Your Ground is a lyric that learns us to be and stay yourself, no matter what your critics say. Even if your are different from your friends, don’t comply but stay yourself. If friends are true they will understand. Conformity is an easy way to be accepted. But you need to have strength to stay yourself. Holding your ground means staying true to yourself.
Breaking Free
A song about the consequences of being pressured by a friend in doing something or being someone. Friendships end because of unwanted unfluence and being told how to live your life. People change and evolve and grow apart. Although the lyric writer tries to still be friends, he realizes that he doesn’t need this guidance. And wants to let go and break free.
Finish What you Started
Finish What You Started is about staying true to the principles of trying to unite with each other. Staying true to the promises to those who have paved the way in the music and the scene. There might be differences between each other, still no need to be mean to those who differ.
Listen to a song:
Conclusions:
The lyrics actually needed no explanation. The message is clear and the mindset is positive. The lyric writer has the power – just like their biggest inspiration Agnostic Front – to behold the scene from a distance and to give comment and feedback about it. In a clear and understandable message that leaves no mystery or misinterpretation possible. Musically the songs are well written and the band can be considered as a landmark in the Youth Crew and positive Hardcore genre. Their records are still in print, both the 7 inch and the Start Today LP. Also merchandise is still printed. And occasionally they still play as well. Gorilla Biscuits played in Europe at the Revolution Calling fest during the end of 2025.
Sources:
(1) A Roadie’s Tale book by Anthony Civorelli (publisher Unterwelt: ISBN 979-8-9868736-0-2)
(2) Discogs .com