Hinduism: Details about 'Ray Cappo'
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Ray Cappo (aka Ray of Today) was the vocalist for several hardcore bands. The most notable and influential among these bands was Youth of Today. Reflex From Pain, Shelter, Better Than A Thousand, and the project recording "Ray and Porcell", were the other bands/projects that he provided vocals for. This icon of New York Hardcore, was actually from Connecticut, playing drums for the Connecticut band, Violent Children before moving to NYC in the mid-1980's. Along with John Porcelly (aka Porcell), he started Youth of Today, which would go on to release two 7" EP's (one later released as a 12") and two LP's. An important figure in the early days of Youth of Today was Kevin Seconds, singer of the Reno, NV band 7 Seconds. Kevin not only influenced the band, but also released their first ep, "Can't Close My Eyes" on his Positive Force Records. Youth of Today would act as a catalyst to create and energize a thriving straight edge scene in NYC, a task declared impossible by many NYC punk aficionados. From these beginnings arose a cadre of late 80's NYC straight edge bands, which are sometimes referred to as youth crew bands. These bands honed their sounds at CBGB's Sunday matinees, or at the Norwalk, CT venue, The Anthrax. In 1987, along with Jordan Cooper, Ray Cappo started a record label called Revelation Records to help document some of the hardcore music that was beginning to filter out of NYC. The first release the label put out was Warzone, "Lower East Side Crew". This was soon followed by a compilation entilted New York Hardcore 1987: Together, or simply the Together Compilation. This compilation included tracks by Youth of Today and Bold,(formerly Crippled Youth) This was also the first time bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Sick of it All, and Side by Side would be recorded and heard all over the world. Revelation would soon expand it's roster westward, releasing important records from California bands like Chain of Strength and No For an Answer. Today, still a functioning record label operated by Cooper (moving from New Haven, CT to Huntington Beach, CA in the early 90's), Revelation has at times distanced itself from it's hardcore beginnings, then just as quickly re-embraced them. As Youth of Today began to wind down, Cappo found himself drawn to Krishna Consciousness, possibly brought about by studying religions that embraced his vegetarianism and straight edge ideals. He became a devotee and an outspoken proponent of the ideologies laid out in the Bhagavad Gita. Cappo set off to start a band that would fulfil both his spiritual needs as well as provide a mouthpiece for his newfound devotion. This band became known as Shelter. Cappo again found himself starting a record label to release bands with a Krishna conscious message, the still operating Equal Vision Records. The rise of Shelter, would unexpectedly create a sub-genre called 'Krishna-core', with bands such as 108 and Refuse to Fall adding to the ranks. On a European tour with his band Better than a Thousand, Cappo reportedly broke with the straight edge ideals he had long preached and drank wine while in Italy. In the tight knit straight edge community, where Cappo was looked upon as an elder statesman and role model, this event was a source of major controversy and coversation. Cappo now lives in California and operates a Yoga Studio with his wife. Aside from an occasional Youth of Today reunion show, Cappo seems to keep the hardcore scene he helped to revitalize at arm's length.
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