Gorilla Biscuits – “Start Today”

By the late 1980s, the New York hardcore scene was defined by darkness and nihilism. Bands leaned into aggression, cynicism and a bleak worldview that reflected the burnout setting in across the scene. Start Today arrived as a sharp left turn. Gorilla Biscuits did not reject intensity or confrontation, but they paired it with optimism, self-reflection and a belief in personal responsibility. That mindset alone made the album feel radical, and it instantly stood out as something different within NYHC.

The album became one of the defining statements of the youth crew movement, a scene built around positivity, unity and straight edge values without moral grandstanding. Gorilla Biscuits helped prove that hardcore did not have to be miserable to be meaningful. Start Today spoke directly to young listeners who wanted purpose and direction rather than nihilism, and its influence would ripple through hardcore well into the 1990s and beyond.

Production-wise, Start Today makes the most of a minimal budget. Nothing is glossy or overworked, but everything sounds sharp and intentional. The guitars are crunchy, the drums are tight and the mix captures the immediacy of a sweaty club show. The rawness works in the album’s favor, reinforcing the sincerity of the band’s message and keeping the focus on energy rather than polish.

Walter Schreifels’ songwriting is the album’s secret weapon. His lyrics are direct without being simplistic, motivational without being corny. Songs encourage self-awareness, accountability and growth, but Gorilla Biscuits are not afraid to get confrontational when needed. “Degradation” is the clearest example, calling out skinheads who were invading the scene and making it known they do not belong at Gorilla Biscuits shots. 

The title track, “Start Today,” is the album’s mission statement and features the best guitar riff on the record. It is fast, uplifting and instantly memorable, the kind of song that feels like a reset button for anyone hearing it for the first time. “Good Intentions” is short and sweet, packing its message into a burst of urgency that never overstays its welcome. “Things We Say” slows the pace just enough to let the band’s message breathe while still hitting hard.

Civ’s vocals are a huge part of why the album works so well. He delivers his lines with confidence and clarity, never buried in the mix or overshadowed by the instrumentation. There is conviction in his delivery that makes even the simplest lines feel important. He sounds like someone who truly believes what he is saying, which gives the album its emotional backbone.

Schreifels’ guitar work deserves just as much praise. His riffs are punchy and melodic, helping shape a sound that was aggressive without being oppressive. He understood that hardcore could be fast and powerful while still being catchy, a balance that many bands would spend years trying to replicate.

It is a shame that Start Today turned out to be Gorilla Biscuits’ only full-length release. The album feels like the beginning of something rather than the end. Still, the band’s legacy lives on through the countless acts they inspired, acts founded by members of Gorilla Biscuits and the scene they helped define. Sometimes one album is enough, and Start Today remains one of hardcore’s most enduring and influential statements.

For Fans Of:

• Youth of Today – Break Down the Walls
• Minor Threat – Out of Step
• Judge – Bringin’ It Down