Gorilla Biscuits are a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records, consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, and Sammy Siegler. Gorilla Biscuits were formed when Arthur met Civ because they were both living in New York and going to the same high school. They were both fans of the band Agnostic Front and became interested in hardcore from listening to them. They started going to hardcore shows at CBGB's on the weekends. This was where they met people like Ray Cappo and Porcell.
Arthur wanted Civ to start a hardcore band and wanted him to sing. Civ had no interest in singing and always had to face the floor or wall while doing it. The guys from Token Entry hooked them up with a show and needed to know the name of the band. The drug of choice in their neighborhood were these big quaaludes which people called "gorilla biscuits" because they were so huge, mainly meaning "ape shit". They were just going to call themselves that until they changed it, but it pretty much stuck.
The start was kind of rough. They made poor quality demo tapes which included the song "Slut" on it. They were cheap tapes bought at a dollar store which had no cases, so they just cut and pasted some stuff onto a piece of paper and copied them. The first shirts were blue with a gorilla riding a skateboard. they were done using a black magic marker and a ink blotter. At the first Gorilla Biscuits show Civ wore camo pants and a green hooded sweatshirt.
Later, Jordan Cooper, the front man of Revelation Records, put out a Gorilla Biscuits 7" which later became a hardcore hit along with other hardcore classics. Gorilla Biscuits then toured the States and Europe twice. The first time they went to Europe they were getting spit on and stuff thrown at them. By the second time they went there a straight-edge scene had started and it was better. On their final U.S. tour, Start Today, had just hit stores two days before. It was great for the band. Sadly enough, they played their last show later that year in Buffalo, New York. Basically, all the members went on to play in CIV. Besides singing for CIV, Civ now owns a tattoo studio in New York City. Walter went on to form Quicksand. He then wrote the songs for and helped produce CIV's first album.
The band played a reunion show on August 14, 2005 at CBGB in New York, New York as a benefit to save CBGB from financial problems.
In 2006, it was reported on Punknews.org that the band had plans to reissue their seminal recording, Start Today The album was originally released in 1989 and will be remastered and feature in depth liner notes written by Walter Schreifels, it will also feature a DVD of the CBGB's reunion show from August of 2005.
Also set for 2006 is a month-long reunion tour which will feature an exclusive 7-inch only available on tour stops.
Gorilla Biscuits have now begun writing new material for a possible follow-up to.

Members

Anthony "Civ" Civorelli, singer. Civ went on to form punk rock band CIV. Starting out with Lava Records and Revelation Records, they signed a major label deal with Atlantic Records in 1995. They achieved commercial success with the single "Can't Wait One Minute More." Civ is also the owner of a Long Island tattoo studio called Lotus Tattoo.
Walter Schreifels, who played guitar and wrote most of the songs for the Gorilla Biscuits, went on to be the frontman in Quicksand, one of the most influential post-hardcore bands. Later, Walter was in Rival Schools and Walking Concert. He has also done extensive producing for other bands.
Arthur Smilios, bass. Arthur joined CIV with Civ.
Luke - Drums

Discography

Gorilla Biscuits,1988,First 7" EP,Revelation Record.
Start Today,1989,Their second and final album,Revelation Record.
Walter Sings the Hits,19??,Bootleg.

Compilations

New York City Hardcore:Together, 7" (1987, Revelation Records)