108 (band)
Encyclopedia
108 is an American hardcore
band founded in 1991. Their music reflected the Hare Krishna
faith of its members. Their name comes from the number of beads on the Japa mala
, or mantra counting beads.
-fronted band Inside Out, guitarist and Hare Krishna devotee Vraja Kishor das (aka Vic DiCara
) formed 108 in 1991. While recording an EP, Rasaraja dasa (aka Rob Fish) joined on vocals. Following in the footsteps of the Cro-Mags
and Antidote, they made sure to place their Krishna Consciousness at the forefront of their music.
Their first records, Holyname and Songs of Separation, were released on Equal Vision Records
. These releases were followed by their participation in two documentary films, 108: The Final Tour and N.Y.H.C.
.
Following a prolonged break-up where DiCara relocated to India
to become a monk
, they planned to reform at Hellfest in 2005. Due to legal issues, that festival was cancelled at the last moment but 108 successfully re-booked special gigs in Philadelphia. They self-released a collection of demos and b-sides followed by a new full-length recording entitled "A New Beat From a Dead Heart" with Deathwish Inc.
On March 23, 2010, before the release of 18.61
, it was announced that Rob Fish had quit the band, discontent with the band not being able to "redefine" its ties to faith. (Rob and Vic were no longer part of ISKCON by the time of the bands reformation.) The remaining members of the group later released the following statement: "108 has not broken up. Rasaraja [aka Robert Fish] has left the band, but 108 will continue in full force with a new direction and focus. We will be writing, recording and playing shows this year to support 18.61 and create new music."
It was later revealed in September 2010 that Rob Fish had rejoined the band.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band founded in 1991. Their music reflected the Hare Krishna
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
faith of its members. Their name comes from the number of beads on the Japa mala
Japa mala
A Japa mala or mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity...
, or mantra counting beads.
History
After splitting from the Zack De La RochaZack de la Rocha
Zacarías Manuel "Zack" de la Rocha is an American rapper, musician, poet, and activist best known as the vocalist and lyricist of Rage Against the Machine.-Early life and childhood:...
-fronted band Inside Out, guitarist and Hare Krishna devotee Vraja Kishor das (aka Vic DiCara
Vic DiCara
Vic DiCara is a hardcore punk guitarist, vocalist and bassist. He played in Beyond, Inside Out, Shelter, Burn, and later the Hare Krishna band 108. As part of the band 108, DiCara was instrumental in recording three albums considered influential in the hardcore punk scene of the 1990s. DiCara is...
) formed 108 in 1991. While recording an EP, Rasaraja dasa (aka Rob Fish) joined on vocals. Following in the footsteps of the Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
and Antidote, they made sure to place their Krishna Consciousness at the forefront of their music.
Their first records, Holyname and Songs of Separation, were released on Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
. These releases were followed by their participation in two documentary films, 108: The Final Tour and N.Y.H.C.
N.Y.H.C. (film)
N.Y.H.C. is a documentary film directed by Frank Pavich about the mid-90s New York hardcore scene.The documentary was acquired for distribution by HALO 8 Entertainment in December 2007. On March 25, 2008, Halo-8 released a two disc Special Edition for the documentary's first time on DVD...
.
Following a prolonged break-up where DiCara relocated to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to become a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
, they planned to reform at Hellfest in 2005. Due to legal issues, that festival was cancelled at the last moment but 108 successfully re-booked special gigs in Philadelphia. They self-released a collection of demos and b-sides followed by a new full-length recording entitled "A New Beat From a Dead Heart" with Deathwish Inc.
On March 23, 2010, before the release of 18.61
18.61
18.61 is the fifth studio album by American hardcore punk band 108. It is also the second studio album released after reforming in 2005; the first of which being 2007's A New Beat from a Dead Heart. The album was the first to be recorded with drummer Michael Justian, formerly of Trap Them and Unearth...
, it was announced that Rob Fish had quit the band, discontent with the band not being able to "redefine" its ties to faith. (Rob and Vic were no longer part of ISKCON by the time of the bands reformation.) The remaining members of the group later released the following statement: "108 has not broken up. Rasaraja [aka Robert Fish] has left the band, but 108 will continue in full force with a new direction and focus. We will be writing, recording and playing shows this year to support 18.61 and create new music."
It was later revealed in September 2010 that Rob Fish had rejoined the band.
Studio Albums
- Holyname (1992, Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision RecordsEqual Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
) - Songs of Separation (1995, Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision RecordsEqual Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
) - Threefold Misery (1996, Lost & Found Records)
- A New Beat from a Dead Heart (2007, Deathwish Inc.Deathwish Inc.Deathwish, Inc. is a independent record label founded by Jacob Bannon and Tre McCarthy. The label was originally used to release early albums by Bannon's own band Converge starting in late 1991. It wasn't until late 1999 that McCarthy and Bannon discussed turning Deathwish into a full-fledged label...
) - 18.6118.6118.61 is the fifth studio album by American hardcore punk band 108. It is also the second studio album released after reforming in 2005; the first of which being 2007's A New Beat from a Dead Heart. The album was the first to be recorded with drummer Michael Justian, formerly of Trap Them and Unearth...
(2010, Deathwish Inc.)
Compilations
- One Path for Me Through Destiny (1997, Lost And Found Records)
- Creation. Sustenance. Destruction. (2006, Equal Vision Records)
Compilation appearances
- N.Y.H.C. Documentary Soundtrack (1996, SFT Records)
- Anti-Matter (1996)
- Violent World: A Tribute to the MisfitsViolent World: A Tribute to the MisfitsViolent World: A Tribute to the Misfits is a tribute album to the horror punk band the Misfits released in 1997 by Caroline Records. It features primarily punk rock bands performing cover versions of Misfits songs from the band's early era, 1977 to 1983....
(1997, Caroline RecordsCaroline RecordsCaroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
)