Schism Records
Encyclopedia
Schism was a hardcore
record label
and fanzine
operated out of New York City
in the late 1980s by John Porcelly
(of Youth of Today
, Judge
, and Project X
) and Alex Brown (of Side By Side
and Project X). Schism started out as the fanzine, Love Seat, which Brown put out while still living in Iowa
. Five issues were published under this title, before he moved to NYC for school, teamed up with Porcelly and changed the name to Schism, at the urging of Ray Cappo
, who didn't like the 'Love Seat' name. They however kept the number amount, so the first issue under the Schism title was actually #6.
Under the Schism name, they produced another three issues, containing interviews with such bands as Youth Of Today
, Supertouch, Bold
, SSD
, Wide Awake, Agnostic Front
and more. Issue 7 came as a package with a limited edition 7" by Porcelly and Brown's project-band, Project X, which also featured Sammy Siegler (Side By Side
/Youth Of Today
/Civ) and Walter Schreifels (Gorilla Biscuits
/Youth Of Today
/Quicksand
/Rival Schools
). The record was only pressed once in an amount of 500 copies (although several bootlegs
have been made throughout the years), and is a huge hardcore
collector's item.
Schism was also well known for the merchandise they made for their bands, usually featuring the classic Schism-logo with a drawing of several X'ed fists (which was also part of issue #7's cover art) on the left chest and artwork from the bands on the back. Old Schism t-shirts have also become quite a collector's item throughout the years, but like the records they have been widely bootlegged.
The label had several releases planned, such as a Beyond LP (which eventually came out on Combined Effort Records) and a compilation record, but with both Porcelly and Brown touring extensively with Youth Of Today
(Porcelly as a guitar-player, Brown as a roadie), they didn't have time to keep doing the label and it eventually disbanded.
An official re-release of the Project X EP, and a book containing all issues of Schism fanzine
as well as bonus material, were released in the fall of 2005 by Bridge 9 Records
. The rest of the Schism discography remains in print in some form - the Judge
EP (as part of the Where It Went anthology CD) and Youth Of Today
12" on Revelation
, the Wide Awake EP is featured on their discography CD released on Smorgasbord Records.
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...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
and fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
operated out of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the late 1980s by John Porcelly
John Porcelly
John 'Porcell' Porcelly was the guitarist for the American 1980s hardcore bands Young Republicans, Violent Children, Youth Of Today and Judge. He also sang in Project X , and has had stints in other bands such as Bold and Gorilla Biscuits...
(of 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...
, Judge
Judge (band)
Judge was a New York-based straight edge band; formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist, John "Porcell" Porcelly, and former Youth of Today drummer, Mike "Judge" Ferraro.-History:...
, and Project X
Project X (band)
Project X was a short-lived hardcore punk/youth crew band from New York City, and also the name of their only release, being a five-track EP. The band consisted of members of other prominent NYC hardcore bands Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, Side by Side and Judge.The band started when John...
) and Alex Brown (of Side By Side
Side By Side (band)
Side By Side was an American hardcore punk band on Revelation Records. They were a band from NY of youth crew persuasion. Recorded output was limited to a single 7", You're Only Young Once... Their 7" was the fifth record released by Revelation Records....
and Project X). Schism started out as the fanzine, Love Seat, which Brown put out while still living in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Five issues were published under this title, before he moved to NYC for school, teamed up with Porcelly and changed the name to Schism, at the urging of Ray Cappo
Ray Cappo
Ray Cappo is the former vocalist for the hardcore bands Youth of Today, Reflex From Pain, Shelter, Better Than A Thousand, and the project recording "Pour Water On It". This icon of New York hardcore was originally from Connecticut, and played drums for the Connecticut band Violent Children...
, who didn't like the 'Love Seat' name. They however kept the number amount, so the first issue under the Schism title was actually #6.
Under the Schism name, they produced another three issues, containing interviews with such bands as 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...
, Supertouch, Bold
Bold (band)
Bold is a late 1980s youth crew hardcore band from Westchester County, New York, which along with bands like Youth Of Today and Side By Side were a part of the Youth Crew, and an influence in the late 80's straight edge hardcore scene...
, SSD
SSD (band)
SSD were a straight edge hardcore band from Boston. They released two records as SS Decontrol and then formally changed their name to SSD. As SSD they released two more records, these with a very heavy metal influenced sound...
, Wide Awake, 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...
and more. Issue 7 came as a package with a limited edition 7" by Porcelly and Brown's project-band, Project X, which also featured Sammy Siegler (Side By Side
Side By Side (band)
Side By Side was an American hardcore punk band on Revelation Records. They were a band from NY of youth crew persuasion. Recorded output was limited to a single 7", You're Only Young Once... Their 7" was the fifth record released by Revelation Records....
/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...
/Civ) and Walter Schreifels (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:...
/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...
/Quicksand
Quicksand (band)
Quicksand was an American post-hardcore band from New York City founded in 1990 by singer/songwriter Walter Schreifels. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major label albums, Slip and Manic Compression...
/Rival Schools
Rival Schools (band)
Rival Schools are a post-hardcore band from New York signed to Photo Finish Records, featuring Walter Schreifels on vocals and guitar; Ian Love on guitar; Cache Tolman on bass guitar; and Sam Siegler on drums....
). The record was only pressed once in an amount of 500 copies (although several bootlegs
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
have been made throughout the years), and is a huge hardcore
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...
collector's item.
Schism was also well known for the merchandise they made for their bands, usually featuring the classic Schism-logo with a drawing of several X'ed fists (which was also part of issue #7's cover art) on the left chest and artwork from the bands on the back. Old Schism t-shirts have also become quite a collector's item throughout the years, but like the records they have been widely bootlegged.
The label had several releases planned, such as a Beyond LP (which eventually came out on Combined Effort Records) and a compilation record, but with both Porcelly and Brown touring extensively with 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...
(Porcelly as a guitar-player, Brown as a roadie), they didn't have time to keep doing the label and it eventually disbanded.
An official re-release of the Project X EP, and a book containing all issues of Schism fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
as well as bonus material, were released in the fall of 2005 by Bridge 9 Records
Bridge 9 Records
Bridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
. The rest of the Schism discography remains in print in some form - the Judge
Judge (band)
Judge was a New York-based straight edge band; formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist, John "Porcell" Porcelly, and former Youth of Today drummer, Mike "Judge" Ferraro.-History:...
EP (as part of the Where It Went anthology CD) 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...
12" on Revelation
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,...
, the Wide Awake EP is featured on their discography CD released on Smorgasbord Records.
Discography
- SKIZ-1: Project XProject X (band)Project X was a short-lived hardcore punk/youth crew band from New York City, and also the name of their only release, being a five-track EP. The band consisted of members of other prominent NYC hardcore bands Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, Side by Side and Judge.The band started when John...
- Self-titled 7" EP (1987)- 500 pressed, of which 300 came with Schism fanzineFanzineA fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
#7 and the rest were sold separately.
- 500 pressed, of which 300 came with Schism fanzine
- SKIZ-2: JudgeJudge (band)Judge was a New York-based straight edge band; formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist, John "Porcell" Porcelly, and former Youth of Today drummer, Mike "Judge" Ferraro.-History:...
-' New York CrewNew York CrewThis entry is not about the art-poetics collective the New York CrewNew York Crew was a 7" EP released by the New York City hardcore band Judge. The record was released on guitarist John Porcelly's record label, Schism Records, in 1988...' 7" EP (1988)- 1st press: 1000 black vinyl, white labels, printed inner sleeve.
- 2nd press: 1000 black vinyl, yellow labels, printed inner sleeve.
- 3rd press: 1000 black vinyl, yellow labels, separate lyricsheet, different matrix writing than earlier presses.
- SKIZ-3: Youth Of TodayYouth of TodayYouth 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...
-'Can't Close My Eyes' 12" (split-release with Caroline records) (1988)- 1st press: ??? pressed, black vinyl, white labels, paper insert.
- 2nd press: ??? pressed, black vinyl, red labels, glossy insert.
- SKIZ-4: Wide Awake -
'CT Hardcore' 7" EP (1988)- 1st press: ??? pressed, black vinyl, regular cover.
- 2nd press: ??? pressed, black vinyl, xeroxXeroxXerox Corporation is an American multinational document management corporation that produced and sells a range of color and black-and-white printers, multifunction systems, photo copiers, digital production printing presses, and related consulting services and supplies...
ed cover featuring a photo of Sammy Siegler playing drums while wearing a Wide Awake t-shirt.