Wikipedia
"Judge was a New York-based straight edge band; formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist, John "Porcell" Porcelly, and former Death Before Dishonor/Youth of Today drummer, Mike "Judge" Ferraro.
The band received lots of criticism due to their militant Straight Edge lyrics, especially from fanzines like San Francisco's Maximum Rock'N'Roll. The militant lyrics were a conscious move on the band's part, as they were sick of seeing bands like Youth Of Today, who in reality had a very positive message, get slagged for being too militant. So they decided to give the nay-sayers exactly what they wanted - the most militant Straight Edge band imaginable. Mike Ferraro has later on admitted that provocation was an important aim for the band."
And what name could possibly provoke people into people having issues with them Judge?None.
I will be the first to admit that when i first heard Judge i was'nt into it.I don't know what it was that i didn't like or get.Thankfully i came to my senses and realised how amazing a band they actually were.
I know what you're thinking.That Judge are a band that people say they like so they seem down with whatever hardcore bullshit is the flavour of the week or something but I for one genuinely see them as one of the most important bands in hardcore
(feel free to disagree with me).The had an urgency and a drive that modern hardcore is missing.As a result watered down emotionless crap like Death Before Dishonor(NOT the band that became Supertouch) and shit like that.You know the bands.Brainless mosh riffs that make you feel stupider for having listened to it.Any way,i digress.
Their drive was to take peoples idea of "militance" in the hardcore/straight edge scene and ram it down their throats.Give them a real reason to slag and confront their ideas.The name said it all.
The first recording they did It was just Mike(drums and vocals) and Porcell(guitar and bass).When it came to do the vocals Mike stepped up having only played drums.The first song they recorded was 'Fed Up'.
"I've been down that road
And I won't go again
It took it's toll on me
And all my friends
Now I'm tired of settling for less
And playing the fool
Keep it away
I'm trying to keep my cool
I'm Fed Up- Fed Up
You say I'm not cool
Because I'm choosing my friends
I won't have that shit
Around me ever again
I'm denying some rights
So you better keep it clear
Because you step on mine
Whenever you are near
AND I'M FED UP - FED UP
Smoking that butt
It makes you mature
A slave to sex
And you tell me you're pure
You slam that beer
It makes you a man
I'll try to keep my cool
But you better understand
UNDERSTAND"
That song brought their message across quite clear.
They filled out the band which among others included Lars Weiss(Alone In A Crowd) and Ryan Hoffman(Chain Of Strength).After some quality releases they attarcted the attention of aryan groups who latched in to the violent messages in the songs.Particular in songs like 'The Storm'
"I feel the hate, It keeps coming down
coming down like the rain
Lookat me i'm getting drenched
We keep getting caught up
in this raging wind...
...There will be quiet after the storm"
More and more white power groups and individuals saw just the message of hate in the songs they were putting out.Also taken up the wrong way was the x'd up construction gloves with "hard edge" written on the knuckles.Violence was occuring more regularly at the shows.This is not what they wanted and in the end they had to call an end to Judge.Although marred by violence and associated with nazist ideals in the latter portion of their existence as band.I would hope they would be remembered and recognised as an important band in the NYHC scene.
Porcell was playing in Youth Of Today so stayed in the hardcore scene(and is still going strong) Mike Judge pretty much became a recluse disassociating himself from the scene.He went on to record the 'Mike Judge & Old Smoke' album that was put out by Revelation.A radical departure from Judge.
There was absolutely no need for me to regurgitate Wikipedia on the subject but i feel this band should be listened to more.I feel that passionate about them.
You think i'm talking shit?Get at me :)
Laura Hampson is my hero.
xxx
