Youth Of Today

Ray Cappo - singing John Porcelly - guitar Walter Shreifels - bass Sammy Siegler - drums
Youth of Today was formed in 1985 at the initiative of Ray Cappo and John Porcelly, then members of New York's Violent Children hardcore combo. To complete the troupe, the duo called on two high school comrades, Graham Philips (bass) and Darren Pesce (drums). Under this training, Youth of Today recorded its first ep Can't Close My Eyes on the Positive Force Records label and began to shoot but, after a series of concerts, Philips and Pesce were replaced respectively by Craig Setari and Tom Carroll, both defectors of Straight Ahead. Unfortunately, the latter quickly abandoned the game and the group solicited Drew Thomas (Crippled Youth ) to act. Shortly afterwards, Youth of Today temporarily became a quintet with the arrival of Richie Birkenhead (ex-Underdog) and recorded her first album, Break Down the Walls, in 1986.
But the beautia does not last and the musical chairs resume soon after. Thomas left the band, replaced by Mike Judge (ex-Death Before Dishonor) and Walter Schreifels took over from Setari, leaving with Straight Ahead. After the Break Down the Walls tour, Birkenhead regained his freedom, Youth of Today finally becoming a quartet. At the end of 1987, Sammy Siegler (ex- Side By Side ) succeeded Mike Judge. The band recorded the now classic We're Not in This Alone and under this training embarked on a European tour in 1989. Youth Of Today throws the sponge a year later after recording an eponymous 4-Titles that, according to experts, marks the end of the second straight-edge wave.
After the separation of Youth of Today, Ray Cappo went to found Shelter, joined a little later by John Porcelly, who meanwhile helped Schreifels and Siegler with Gorilla Biscuits. Since then, the New York band has not come out of nothing new but meets from time to time for a series of concerts.