Up Front (band)
Encyclopedia
Up Front was a hardcore
band from New York. They were an influential part of the late 80s New York hardcore
and Connecticut Straight Edge
scenes. They played many of their early shows at the now famous Anthrax Club
in Norwalk, CT. In 1987 they appeared on the X Marks The Spot compilation 7 inch, one of the first documents of the burgeoning Connecticut Straight Edge
scene.
In 1988 they released their Spirit LP, and a Summer tour followed in 1989 with Unit Pride, Insted and Gorilla Biscuits
. Up Front remained active through 1992, releasing the Daybreak 7 inch in 1990, touring the US again in the Summer of 1991, and completing their first tour of Europe in the Winter of 1991-1992.
They initially broke up after recording the Changes 7 inch in 1992, but reformed in the Spring of 1994 to record the What Fire Does 7 inch followed with their 2nd tour of Europe that Summer.
After a brief hiatus Up Front wrote and recorded the Movement CD in 1997. After a handful of US shows, a tour of Japan in 1998, and their third Summer tour of Europe in 1999 followed.
Other than three "reunion" shows in the Summer/Fall of 2005, and one "reunion" show with a return to the Daybreak lineup in November 2009 at the A Time We'll Remember Fest, the band has remained dormant since 1999.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band from New York. They were an influential part of the late 80s New York hardcore
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
and Connecticut Straight Edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
scenes. They played many of their early shows at the now famous Anthrax Club
The Anthrax
The Anthrax was an all-ages music venue that hosted punk and hardcore shows during the early/mid 1980s.The actual club was located in the basement of a makeshift art gallery on the then dilapidated west side of Stamford, Connecticut. It was founded Brian and Shaun Sheridan...
in Norwalk, CT. In 1987 they appeared on the X Marks The Spot compilation 7 inch, one of the first documents of the burgeoning Connecticut Straight Edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
scene.
In 1988 they released their Spirit LP, and a Summer tour followed in 1989 with Unit Pride, Insted and Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits are a New York City-based vegan straight edge hardcore band consisting of Anthony "Civ" Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown and Luke Abbey. The band is currently signed to Revelation Records.-Early career:...
. Up Front remained active through 1992, releasing the Daybreak 7 inch in 1990, touring the US again in the Summer of 1991, and completing their first tour of Europe in the Winter of 1991-1992.
They initially broke up after recording the Changes 7 inch in 1992, but reformed in the Spring of 1994 to record the What Fire Does 7 inch followed with their 2nd tour of Europe that Summer.
After a brief hiatus Up Front wrote and recorded the Movement CD in 1997. After a handful of US shows, a tour of Japan in 1998, and their third Summer tour of Europe in 1999 followed.
Other than three "reunion" shows in the Summer/Fall of 2005, and one "reunion" show with a return to the Daybreak lineup in November 2009 at the A Time We'll Remember Fest, the band has remained dormant since 1999.
Band members
- Steve Keeley - Vocals
- Jon Field - Guitar
- Rich Ryder - Guitar
- Jeff Terranova - Bass
- Tim Schmoyer - Drums
Former members
- Dan Pettit - Drums (1987)
- Jim Eaton - Drums (1988–1989)
- Roger Lambert - Vocals (1989)
- Ari Katz - Drums (1989)
Discography
- X Marks The Spot - 7 inch, 1988
- Spirit - CD, 1988
- Daybreak - 7 inch, 1990
- Changes - 7 inch, 1992
- What Fire Does - 7 inch, 1994
- Doin' it live on WNYU - 7 inch, 1997
- Movement - CD, 1997
- Split w/ Building - 7 inch, 1999
- Five by Seven - CD, 2004