The Casualties

The Casualties

The Casualties are a New York punk band formed in 1990. They begin as a hardcore punk group with a sound rooted in street punk, and their early aim is to revive what they see as the older street punk style associated with bands such as The Exploited and Charged GBH.

Formation and early line-up changes

The original line-up includes vocalist Jorge Herrera, Hank on guitar, Colin Wolf on vocals, Mark Yoshitomi on bass and Yureesh Hooker on drums. The band’s early years are marked by frequent changes. Colin steps away for a period to finish his education, with Rachel from The Rivits filling in. Hank leaves in 1991 and is replaced by Fred on guitar. A demo titled Political Sin is recorded for the Benefit for Beer compilation, and later Fred leaves briefly before returning full-time after a short period with Steve from Distraught filling in.

By the end of 1991, the band records the four-song EP 40 Oz. Casualty and self-releases it. During 1992, the group tours and builds a following in New York City. In 1993, Mark and Fred leave and are replaced by Mike on bass and Jake Kolatis on guitar. In 1994, Yureesh and Colin depart, Shawn takes over on drums, and the group continues with a single lead vocalist.

Recordings and releases

The Casualties record Drinking Is Our Way Of Life in 1994, but it is not released at the time; the songs later appear on the 1999 compilation Early Years 1990-1995. Their second release is the 1995 four-track EP A Fuckin' Way Of Life, issued on Eyeball Records. Their debut album, For the Pun, arrives in 1997 on Tribal War Records, followed by Underground Army in 1998. The compilation Early Years 1990-1995 appears in 1999 and collects earlier material and previously unreleased songs.

In later years the band continues to record albums and tour. Resistance is released through Season of Mist.

Line-up stabilisation and touring

After Underground Army, Mike leaves the band and is replaced by Johnny Rosado from The Krays. During the European leg of a world tour, Jon leaves and Dave Punk Core fills in temporarily before Rick Lopez from Manix joins. This line-up then remains in place for a long period. Jorge Herrera is the only original member still in the band.

The Casualties tour widely, including with The Varukers, The Exploited, GBH, Cockney Rejects, Slaughter & the Dogs and the English Dogs. They appear at Holidays in the Sun in London in 1996 as the first American band to play the festival. In December 2009 they tour as part of Stillborn Fest alongside Hatebreed, The Acacia Strain, Crowbar and Thy Will Be Done. In 2012 they co-headline the Tonight We Unite tour with Nekromantix and perform For the Punx in full for the first time since its release. In 2013 they play Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, alongside acts including The Exploited, Special Duties, Chron Gen and Anti-Establishment.