Stylistic origins Hardcore punk, punk rock, street punk, thrash metal Cultural origins Early-1980s, New Jersey, United States Typical instruments Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, vocals | ||
New Jersey hardcore (NJHC) is hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New Jersey and to the subculture associated with that music.
Contents
Evolution from punk rock
New Jersey had many early punk bands, circa 1975–1979, including horror punk pioneer, punk and hardcore punk band, The Misfits. Many of these fledgling early punk bands then heard many sounds such as garage band proto-punk in the late-1960s and early-1970s. During this time the Misfits had also made the transition to hardcore punk and toured to gain national exposure, as did other punk and hardcore punk originators such as Black Flag, Bad Brains, and Minor Threat.
1980–1985: The first wave
New Jersey had developed several regional, overlapping hardcore punk scenes by 1981–1982. In the first wave of hardcore punk many bands played roots hardcore punk. Others started experimenting with mixing different influences and sounds. Some, in the process, pioneered hardcore punk subgenres such as metalcore. Others helped to pioneer and further develop fledgling hardcore punk subgenres such as horror punk, skate punk and crossover thrash. During this period several New Jersey-based record labels were formed and released albums specializing in hardcore punk. The most prominent were Buy Our Records of Union County and Mutha Records of Monmouth County.
1986–1990: The second wave
During the mid- and late-1980s, hardcore bands continued to experiment with their sounds, most taking their cues from the first wave and other national scenes. Some would utilize the crossover thrash/skate punk influences started in the first wave and, during the late-1980s others also eventually incorporated more melodic sounds similar to the early emo scene developing in D.C. Others drew influence from specific areas such as New York City or the California scene.
1991–1999: The third wave
During the early- and mid-1990s, as hardcore was passed down, bands continued to experiment with their sounds, A large majority of bands took their cues from the first and second wave, and National scenes, drawing influence from many genres and subgenres. Hardcore punk, heavy metal, and metalcore were some of the popular vocal and musical influences.
2000–2009: The fourth wave
During the 2000s hardcore bands.
National and international recognition
As these scenes started to grow and gain popularity, so did the bands that emerged from them. By 1988 some first generation NJHC bands such as Hogan's Heroes and by 1990 some second generation NJHC bands such as Mucky Pup signed to larger national labels and became internationally recognized. By 1994 some first and second wave worldwide bands were releasing material with Japanese, American and European labels drawing more international attention to the NJHC scenes, such as 1994 J!mco Records' Japanese release Snowboard Addiction - Fun Ride which features Hogan's Heroes. In 1995 Dog Eat Dog were voted Breakthrough Artists of the Year at the MTV Europe Music Awards. This also drew more international attention to NJHC. By 1996, third generation bands such as Fury of Five were pushing NJHC through extensive touring, recording and outspokenness of NJHC.