New York hardcore | |
---|---|
Stylistic origins | Crossover thrash, Hardcore punk |
Cultural origins | Early 1980s, New York City, United States |
Typical instruments | Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, vocals |
Other topics | |
New York hardcore (NYHC) is hardcore punk and Crossover thrash music created in New York City, and 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. It was primarily a phenomenon of the 1980s and 1990s.
New York City had been, arguably, the birthplace of punk rock with the Ramones and the scene at CBGB in the late-1970s, but while the next generation of punks emerged in the hardcore scenes in places like Washington DC and Los Angeles in the early 80's, NYC was initially quiet. A few bands like The Mad and The Stimulators hinted at a new direction. The Stimulators featured Harley Flanagan on drums, and attracted some of what would become the NYHC scene to their shows. The Stimulators and the Mad also made friends with Washington, DC's Bad Brains, and gave the latter places to stay in town.
New York City would come to play a central role in the development of hardcore. An important scene finally emerged in 1981 with the emigration of the Bad Brains.Roger Miret of Agnostic Front asserts that "We started using the term 'hardcore' because we wanted to separate ourselves from the druggy or artsy punk scene that was happening in New York at the time ... We were rougher kids living in the streets. It had a rougher edge". The early scene was documented on the 1982 New York Thrash compilation.
Sam McPheeters argues that
McPheeters argues that the scene was inspired and influenced by dystopian films such as Death Wish, Taxi Driver, The Warriors, and Escape From New York. Many of the mid-1980s NYHC groups were aligned with right-wing ideology. Beginning with Cro-Mags, some groups also followed the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. More leftist groups associated with the scene include Born Against and Nausea.