The Casualties

Emerging from New York in the 1990s, the Casualties gained recognition for their fierce take on classic punk, carrying forward the confrontational hardcore spirit established by groups such as the Exploited, G.B.H., and Negative Approach. Through releases including For the Punx in 1997, Stay Out of Order in 2001, and Under Attack in 2006, they cultivated a dedicated following. Even after lineup shifts and the exit of Jorge Herrera—the final original member—following Chaos Sound in 2016, they persist as seasoned punk performers.

The group came together in 1990 with the aim of reviving the peak era of punk from the 1970s and 1980s. Their starting members were vocalists Jorge Herrera and Colin, along with drummer Yureesh, guitarist Hank, and bassist Mark. This early configuration proved unstable, as Colin paused for several months to complete his studies, during which Rivits singer Rachel filled in. In that time, they recorded a demo. By the next year, the main lineup featured Colin, Jorge, Yureesh, and Mark. After Hank departed, guitarist Fred joined, leading to an appearance on the Benefit for Beer compilation. Further adjustments occurred when Fred left for school, with Scott from C Squat stepping in temporarily before Fred's return; Hank also rejoined briefly for a second stint, and Steve played guitar for a short period.

In fall 1991, they achieved enough stability to record the EP 40 Ounce Casualty. Frequent touring followed in 1992, helping them build support in New York City. Yet 1993 brought additional changes, with Fred and Mark exiting and Jake Kolatis and Mike replacing them. They featured on the Pogo Attack compilation and issued the EP Drinking Is Our Way of Life in 1994, though the four tracks remained unreleased until included in Early Years: 1990-1995 from 1999. Yureesh and Colin then left, Shawn replaced the drummer, and the EP A Fuckin' Way of Life came out in 1995, the same year Meggers—also known as Mark Eggers—from Rivits took over on drums from Shawn.

With the roster settled temporarily, they performed at London's Holidays in the Sun Festival in 1996. Their debut full-length For the Punx arrived the next year, followed by touring alongside the Varukers. Another shift happened in 1998 when Jon from the Krays replaced Mike on bass and contributed to Underground Army before departing during the European tour; Dave Punk Core filled the role until 1999.

Adding Rick Lopez, formerly of Manix, on bass—the lineup now consisting of Jorge Herrera, Jake Kolatis, Meggers, and Lopez—they launched further touring. This included U.S. and European runs in 2000 and 2001, plus albums like Who's in Control?, Stay Out of Order, and Die Hards, their first for SideOneDummy. February 2004 saw On the Front Line, and ahead of Under Attack's August 2006 release, they secured a main stage spot on the Vans Warped Tour. Their eighth studio album All We Have emerged in 2009, with Resistance following on Season of Mist in 2012. Chaos Sound was issued in early 2016, after which Herrera exited. Written in Blood marked their 2018 return, introducing former Krum Bums singer David Rodriguez as the new vocalist. Rodriguez remained for 2019's Until Death: Studio Sessions, featuring reworkings of earlier tracks such as "Unknown Soldier," "We Are All We Have," and "Punk Rock Love."