Backlash was a band that emerged out of the New Jersey hardcore scene in the early '90s. The members found each other via a classified ad in a regional music publication and got to work soon after.
"In early 1992, we recorded our demo and we worked our way onto some big shows opening for Cro-Mags, Leeway, Shelter, Murphy’s Law, Killing Time, Biohazard, 108, and Ignite to name a few," vocalist Pete Gonzalez tells me about Backlash's early days. "I think we have played over 300 shows throughout the East Cost and Canada. At one point, I.D.K. and ourselves rented out a rehearsal space in a warehouse in Union City.
"Unbeknownst to us, Agnostic Front and American Standard rented space there also. For a small period of time, we would hang out with Vinnie Stigma when we were there at the same time practicing. He was a funny guy. His stories were hilarious and he had a ton of them. That was a great time for us."
As Backlash kept busy playing shows in and around Jersey, they also began dropping music, with their The Lost New Start Record and ...Once Ago seven inches, the later released in 1994. The group then signed with Italian hardcore label Break Even Point Records who issued Backlash's debut album, Inside, that same year.
Speaking of their discography, Backlash recently uploaded their entire discography onto all of the major streaming outlets:
During their initial run together, Backlash released 5 EPs and two full-length records before calling it quits in 1997. The band reunited to record a track for Past Present: Breaking Out the Classics, a 2010 Revelation Records compilation where bands covered songs from the label’s catalog that Backlash drummer Jon Sinko headed up for the legendary label. The NJHC outfit covered "Wise Up" by BOLD for that project:
In 2013, vocalist Pete says they got the itch to record some Backlash songs that never made it onto a record, so they tracked Where’s the Pride? at John Stanley’s (Strength, For the Love Of) house, and played a couple of shows before parting ways again.
Pete explains the Backlash catalog finally appearing on streaming outlets: "I’m great friends with Rey Fonseca (Agents of Man) and we were speaking and he said that we should put our catalog on streaming platforms. That it was our legacy. Plus, he said there is a band out of Maryland that is now using our name. I always find it weird how bands don’t do their homework before settling on a name. Anyway…I went down the rabbit hole and started the process.
"Along with the catalog, we put out a live record of the time we played on a NYU radio show. I believe it was called Crucial Chaos. I used to listen to that show back in the day and tape a ton of songs off that show. We also re-released Where’s the Pride? With a different cover and some extra songs."
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The Backlash catalog is available across all music streaming outlets, including Spotify.
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