New York Hardcore Book_David Koenig_2009

and makeup. Paul stepped up to the mic and said 'hi A.O.D. couldn’t make it, we're Gem and the Holograms.' They didn’t play Paul's Not Home but everything else was so brilliant. I remember most of the punks really weren’t dancing much because they were too damn fast, but once a break came it was like someone released the cork and everyone just lost it.

Rob Fish: I suck at these kinds of questions… Straight Ahead and Absolution where the two bands who really symbolize my CB's experiences. In NJ I was a bit more involved, especially from 89 – 93, with what was going on in NJ on a personal level so it is strange to think of that period in such a way but obviously it has a lot to do with the bands I was involved with and hung out with. Vision pre 1990, Turning Point, especially after their LP, Lifetime and Mouthpiece (based on friendship verses their music but still an important piece for me). Rorschach and Greyhouse. They were all very cool.

Chris Zusi: There were so many GREAT bands from that era that never get the credit that they are due whenever someone tries to document hardcore or punk. I'm going to go outside of the "big 3" (Cro-Mags, Murphy's Law, Agnostic Front) because everyone knows how great they were. I'll say Breakdown were my favorite band from that era. I listened to their demo(s) non-stop and loved the harder NYHC style that they brought to the scene. I first saw them at a free show at Tompkins Sq Park and couldn't believe how good they were. Man, listen to "Kickback" – you’re moshing.

Tim McMahon: Obviously I know Youth Of Today originated in the Connecticut / New York state area, but to me they staked their claim on NYC once they moved there. Aside from being one of my favorite NYC bands, Youth Of Today is my favorite all around hardcore band period. What they stood for, what they accomplished, speaks volumes to me. They took a music style and message that had since become dormant and revived it like no one else. As for New Jersey, it's a tough call between Vision and Turning Point.

Vision were one of those bands that I caught on to very early. From the first 7", I was hooked. The follow up, "Undiscovered" 7" is my favorite piece of vinyl from this band. I can recall seeing so many great Vision sets and having an awe-some time at every one.

Turning Point I didn't get to see as much, but definitely followed them from the release of their demo, on to the end. That Turning Point demo still remains one of my favorite hardcore demos of all time. Turning Point took every element of hardcore that I loved and hit the nail directly on the head. I've always considered bands like Release and Enuf to be up in the running as well. Bands like Vison, Turning Point, Release and Enuf left me feeling very proud to have come from New Jersey.

Marc Weiner: This is a toss up because while Youth Of Today was probably my favorite, they really weren't playing at the time I started going to shows and I never really gotto see them live until one of the later reunions. In terms of a live actthat I could actually see at the time it was GB. To me they had the best blend of energy, positivity, and melody at the time. Seeing them at CBs in 1989 after Start Today came out still stands out as a favorite show of mine.

Vic DiCara: Absolute favorites from that era are 1) Quicksand, 2) Burn, and 3) Underdog. And the reasons are all similar - these bands struck out in new directions and