Breakdown (band)
Encyclopedia
Breakdown was started in 1986, during the resurgence of the hardcore scene. Despite being a NYHC
band, being based in Yonkers Breakdown didn't have the Lower East Side
Crew-mentality of Warzone
and Agnostic Front
. By a similar token, unlike some of their other contemporaries like Gorilla Biscuits
and Youth Of Today
, Breakdown was not a straight edge
positive band. They are considered more along the lines of Sheer Terror
for their more metallic sound and less-than-positive lyrics. However, Breakdown always had somewhat of a tongue-in-cheek element to them, mostly due to singer Jeff Perlin's humorous live banter and lyrics.
Contrary to popular belief, the original Breakdown lineup only lasted for less than a year. The band continued on with new members over the years, with Jeff Perlin being the only original member.
Through all the years Breakdown never did a tour of the U.S., concentrating mostly on the Northeast and Canada. They toured Europe 4 times (1999, 2001, 2009, 2010) with European bands including Rykers and Backfire. They also toured Japan in 2001.
Starting in 2003 through 2007 Perlin was the vocalist for Slumlords, a Baltimore-based hardcore/punk band. Slumlords allowed Perlin to write lyrics with a much less serious slant while allowing for a more diverse vocal delivery by adding punk, rock n roll and some heavy metal to the mix while still relying on hardcore for the basis of their sound.
Breakdown started playing gigs again in 2008, most notably the Black N Blue Bowl held in Brooklyn, NYC and the Built to Last Festival in Providence, RI in May 2009. They have also played gigs in NYC in September 2009 and the Baltimore "Fall Brawl" in October 2009. They played two gigs in Europe in November 2009 (Antwerp, Belgium and Leipzig, Germany) to support Backfire for their last two performances as well as a 4 date tour of Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium in August 2010.In November of 2010 they made their triumphant return to New York City's Webster Hall (which they last played 1988 when it was called The Ritz) opening for Sheer Terror. There have been rumors of Breakdown working on new material for general release, which would be their first output since 2001. But these rumors have been laid to rest after Breakdown decided to pack it in and not record or play any additional shows as of February 2011.
compilation, Revelation Records
New York City Hardcore: The Way It Is and the equally important Blackout Records
'Where the Wild Things Are compilation. The "'87 Demo" was eventually released as a 7" EP (Blackout/Noiseville), but did not include all of the songs that were available on the original cassette demo. Breakdown also recorded several demos over the years, including "Running Scared" cassette. Notable releases include the classic EP Blacklisted (Eyeball Records) along with the popular Plus Minus LP (Eyeball Records) and not as well-received Battle Hymns for an Angry Planet LP (Thorp Records/I Scream Records). Breakdown performed at least four live sets on Crucial Chaos, WNYU
's hardcore radio show between 1987 and 1994. Dead Serious Records has re-released the demo 7 with a modified artwork. This 7 re-release was a part of the NYHC HALL OF FAME series. The notorious Lost & Found Records also released a semi-unauthorized bootleg of their material entitled "Dissed and Dismissed".
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to 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. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
band, being based in Yonkers Breakdown didn't have the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
Crew-mentality of Warzone
Warzone (band)
Warzone was an American hardcore punk band formed on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1982. The band helped develop the New York hardcore sound, the hardcore skinhead style and the youth crew subgenre...
and Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
. By a similar token, unlike some of their other contemporaries like Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits are a New York City-based vegan straight edge hardcore band consisting of Anthony "Civ" Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown and Luke Abbey. The band is currently signed to Revelation Records.-Early career:...
and Youth Of Today
Youth of Today
Youth of Today is an American hardcore punk straight edge band, formed in 1985 and still in activity. The band played a major role in establishing the Youth Crew subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies of the straight edge and vegetarian lifestyles.-History:Youth Of...
, Breakdown was not a straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
positive band. They are considered more along the lines of Sheer Terror
Sheer Terror
Sheer Terror was an American hardcore punk band from New York City. The band was one of the first to combine elements of heavy metal with a hardcore punk base, pioneering a heavier style of hardcore that would become popular in the following decades. Formed in late 1984, the band, stayed together...
for their more metallic sound and less-than-positive lyrics. However, Breakdown always had somewhat of a tongue-in-cheek element to them, mostly due to singer Jeff Perlin's humorous live banter and lyrics.
Contrary to popular belief, the original Breakdown lineup only lasted for less than a year. The band continued on with new members over the years, with Jeff Perlin being the only original member.
Through all the years Breakdown never did a tour of the U.S., concentrating mostly on the Northeast and Canada. They toured Europe 4 times (1999, 2001, 2009, 2010) with European bands including Rykers and Backfire. They also toured Japan in 2001.
Starting in 2003 through 2007 Perlin was the vocalist for Slumlords, a Baltimore-based hardcore/punk band. Slumlords allowed Perlin to write lyrics with a much less serious slant while allowing for a more diverse vocal delivery by adding punk, rock n roll and some heavy metal to the mix while still relying on hardcore for the basis of their sound.
Breakdown started playing gigs again in 2008, most notably the Black N Blue Bowl held in Brooklyn, NYC and the Built to Last Festival in Providence, RI in May 2009. They have also played gigs in NYC in September 2009 and the Baltimore "Fall Brawl" in October 2009. They played two gigs in Europe in November 2009 (Antwerp, Belgium and Leipzig, Germany) to support Backfire for their last two performances as well as a 4 date tour of Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium in August 2010.In November of 2010 they made their triumphant return to New York City's Webster Hall (which they last played 1988 when it was called The Ritz) opening for Sheer Terror. There have been rumors of Breakdown working on new material for general release, which would be their first output since 2001. But these rumors have been laid to rest after Breakdown decided to pack it in and not record or play any additional shows as of February 2011.
Releases
Formed in 1986 in Yonkers, NY. Breakdown released a demo (cassette) in 1987, as well as a track on the definitive NYHCNew York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to 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. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
compilation, Revelation Records
Revelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
New York City Hardcore: The Way It Is and the equally important Blackout Records
Blackout Records
Blackout! Records was an independent record label which specialized in the hardcore punk genre.It was formed in 1988 by Bill Wilson – now forever known as "Bill Blackout" – and, together with friend Jim Gibson, the label released its first record – a New York hardcore compilation...
'Where the Wild Things Are compilation. The "'87 Demo" was eventually released as a 7" EP (Blackout/Noiseville), but did not include all of the songs that were available on the original cassette demo. Breakdown also recorded several demos over the years, including "Running Scared" cassette. Notable releases include the classic EP Blacklisted (Eyeball Records) along with the popular Plus Minus LP (Eyeball Records) and not as well-received Battle Hymns for an Angry Planet LP (Thorp Records/I Scream Records). Breakdown performed at least four live sets on Crucial Chaos, WNYU
WNYU
WNYU-FM is a college radio station owned and operated by New York University. Until 2004, it served lower Manhattan and surrounding areas, but thanks to a new booster, it now broadcasts to the tri-state region. The station can be heard on 89.1 FM at 8,300 watts from 4pm until 1am on weekdays,...
's hardcore radio show between 1987 and 1994. Dead Serious Records has re-released the demo 7 with a modified artwork. This 7 re-release was a part of the NYHC HALL OF FAME series. The notorious Lost & Found Records also released a semi-unauthorized bootleg of their material entitled "Dissed and Dismissed".
Original demo era line-up
- Jeff Perlin – vocals
- Don Angelilli – guitar
- Carl Porcaro – guitar
- Rich McLoughlin – bass
- Anthony Drago – drums
Past members
- Lou Alfidi – drums
- Mark Sisto – bass (Maximum Penalty, Joe Coffee)
- Larry Susi – bass (SubzeroSubzero (band)Subzero was an American New York hardcore/metalcore band from New York. The band was started in 1989 by Richie Kennon of Breakdown and Jim Eaton of Up Front hooked up with Louis Dibella and Lawrence Susi whom had played together in various local bands...
, Crusade(nyc)) - Ritchie Kennon – guitar (SubzeroSubzero (band)Subzero was an American New York hardcore/metalcore band from New York. The band was started in 1989 by Richie Kennon of Breakdown and Jim Eaton of Up Front hooked up with Louis Dibella and Lawrence Susi whom had played together in various local bands...
) - Larry Kaplan – drums (now a leader of the Neo-conservatism movement)
- Chris Fist – guitar (NYC Clenched Fist, Mental Abuse, Life's Blood)
- Rob DeFrosia – guitar (Lethal Aggression, Ironbound NYC)
- A.J. Novello – guitar (LeewayLeeway (band)Leeway is a crossover thrash band formed in Astoria, New York, USA in 1984 by guitarist A.J. Novello and vocalist Eddie Sutton under the name The Unruled. They played alongside groups such as Crumbsuckers, Prong, Ludichrist, Bad Brains, and Sick of It All at the predominantly hardcore punk-oriented...
, Cro-MagsCro-MagsCro-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...
, Both Worlds) - Joe Farley – drums
- Alec Walushka – guitar
- Mike Dijan – guitar (Skarhead, Laws of Gravity, Crown of Thornz, Cold Front)
- Lou Medina – drums (Cold Front)
- Harry Kazakos – bass (Cold Front, Laws of Gravity)
- Ray Green – drums (District 9, Laws of Gravity)
In popular culture
- Terror covered the song "Kickback" on their "Rhythm Amongst The Chaos" EP
- The French hardcore band "Kickback" was named after the Breakdown song.
- Bitter End covered the song "Don't Give Up" on their "Mind In Chains" EP.
- The cover of the Long Island hardcore band Backtrack's debut 2008 Demo is taken from Breakdown's 1987 demo.
- Breakdown is one of the featured bands in the book "Radio Silence / A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music" authored by Nathan Nedorostek and Anthony Pappalardo (MTV Press).
- The Dutch hardcore band No Turning Back covered the song "Vengeance" on their "Rise from the ashes" EP
- Losing Grip covered the song "Street Fight!" on their self titled 2009 demo