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Biography
Formerly of the band the Eliminators, guitarist Vinnie Stigma (Vinnie Capuccio) formed Agnostic Front, originally under the moniker Zoo Crew, alongside outspoken and politically direct vocalist Roger Miret, bassist Adam Moochie, and drummer Ray Beez. The group released their first record, the “United Blood” EP in 1983, followed a year later by the decade-defining album “Victim of Pain”. The album was a voice of a generation lost in the burgeoning debt and crime of early ’80’s New York City. The release also marked the arrival of bassist Rob Kabula and drummer Jimmy Colletti, and saw Agnostic Front take the reins of the hardcore punk movement showcased at the likes of Lower East Side’s A7 and CBGB’s.
With the rise in popularity in heavy metal, Agnostic Front, mired by the tumultuous relationship of Miret and Stigma, began to establish themselves as a cross over between hardcore punk and thrash metal. The band signed with Combat Records and issued “Cause for Alarm” in 1986, since hailed as one of a few early holy-grails of crossover thrash, alongside D.R.I. and Corrosion of Conformity.
In an attempt to please original fans, with an entirely new backup of musicians including guitarist Steve Martin, bassist Alan Peters and drummer Will Shepler, the band ridded itself of its previous metal-style drumming. “Liberty & Justice For…” arrived in 1987 to a hardcore punk genre that had fractioned off into various sub-genres, leading to gigs turning into sub-culture turf wars. Agnostic Front released the live album “Live at CBGB’s” in 1989, which featured many fan favourites in the band’s most effective and direct form.
After the release, Roger Miret was arrested and sentenced to just-under two years in prison on serious drug charges and Stigma, with guitarist Matt Henderson and temporary singer Alan Peters, embarked on their first European tour. The comeback album “One Voice”, based on Miret’s lyrics from inside prison, found no audience, and following a greatest hits album “To Be Continued” and a farewell concert in 1993, the band called it quits.
In 1997 however, with interest from respected punk label Epitaph Records, Agnostic Front, consisting of Stigma, Miret, Rob Kabula and Jimmy Colletti recorded and released “Something’s Gotta Give” in 1998. This was followed a year later by the album “Riot, Riot Upstart” with guest appearances from M.O.D.’s Billy Milano and Rancid’s Lars Frederiksen. Un-phased by the lack of a hardcore punk scene, the band continued to perform and record, producing the albums “Dead Yuppies” in 2001, “Working Class Heroes” in 2003, “Another Voice” in 2005, and “My Life My Way” in 2011.
Live reviews
Crossover thrash and hardcore punk band Agnostic Front have always been known for being one of the most intense and energetic live acts on the circuit since their formation in 1980. Albeit for a short hiatus in the mid-90s, they have almost 30 years of experience on the circuit and even though the musicians are all growing in age, the passion and intensity does not seem to be depleting.
It seems as though there is an unspoken rule when considering this band's live tour as everybody attending is involved in a silent pact to give as much energy as the performers. There are no spectators present tonight and this is obvious as the group appear and the whole room lifts their arms and roar in excitement. As the music begins the whole crowd begins to jostle and surge towards the power force that is Roger Miret. He throws himself around the stage throughout the performance whilst thrashing out instrumentals and screaming the recognisable lyrics of older tracks. He brings the whole room together for an equally manic finale of 'United & Strong' before the stage lights quickly break and the room is plunged into darkness.
sean-ward
I saw Agnostic Front, the punk and thrash band, live in New York in 2004. They were loud, hard, heavy, and never let up on the intensity of the music. The guitar riffs were fast. The drum beats were heavy. The lyrics were loud. Everything was fast, loud, and intense in a way that you simply do not get with punk music very often any more.
They yelled into their microphones and the lyrics didn't even matter. The audience was intense that night. They were not to be meddled with. They gave it their all.The audience almost immediately formed a mosh pit. They all thrashed around and jumped into the crowd and celebrated being alive in the way that only a good thrash or punk show can make you feel.
As people crowd surfed and bounced up and down bumping into each other and giving it their all in enjoying the intensity of the music, it became clear that this was no joke.
If you weren't serious about violently, loudly enjoying the show and thrashing you had best leave. We all thrashed harder than we ever thrashed before, or probably since. That night was intense, fun, and about as hardcore as it gets.
The concert did not take place yesterday 21st october 2016, i have found the concert venue closed. I believe the concert was in 2015, same date, 21st of october 2015, published on many sites, but on your site and on the one of agnostic front FB site a date was 21st october 2016! "friday 21st october" the only difference that in 2015 21st october was wednesday; this concert it's been last year!
Unluckily I trusted your site and travelled from Milan to Bologna spending €70 and using your google-maps link it brought me in center of Bologna, as understanding that it was a link only for Bologna and not specificating the right address of the club. At the end I managed to arrive to the right address asking informations to people and it was closed! I talked with a guy working in the place and he has confirmed that the concert took place last year.... I'm very dissapointed, as I've travelled for more than 5 hours and spent more 70€ for an unexisting concert! Do you have a remboursement policy for missleading information pubblished on your site?
Thank you for your feedback,
Paolo Bradamante
paolo-bradamante
I saw Agnostic Front kick off a tour in August of 1997 in San Francisco. Their skinhead roots were clearly broadcasted by skins of all colors being pulled up on-stage throughout the show by Miret. I've seen them two times in my hometown since 1997. Let it be known. They have a strong skinhead following. Long-hairs may not be too welcome. OiOiOi
gray96735
These guys opened for Dropkick Murphy's, although, not my style of music anymore, Agnostic Front put on a great high energy show. These guys have been around forever and appears they will continue to be in the music business for a long time. Quite a few Agnostic Front fans up front singing and moshing to their set.
Peacorn99
What a great show! Filming for a live DVD and new video took place at the venue. The crowd was on it and the electricity was awesome. Great performance by the band as well. After the show Vinnie Stigma hung out and is such a nice person. My whole nite was 2 thumbs up.
bradley-mattox
The Godfathers of NYHC !! A Short Set , but they played ALL old School !! 90% off of United Blood & Victim in Pain. Eliminator , Public Assitance, For my Family, Crucified , Gotta go and a killer version of " Blitzkrieg Bop. Killed it as usual !!!
steve-inghilleri
Brutal and fantastic as ever a must see for any hardcore fan. You wont be disappointed. Played some newer songs as well as classics. These guys are not called the godfathers of hardcore for nothing going 36 years they are still smashing it
Jono1892
Awesome show as always. AF puts everything into it. Lots of older stuff. Lots of newer stuff. Great atmosphere. The guys were hanging out all night watching the other bands. Stigma stuck around after to take pics and talk to everyone.
greg-salsman
