EARTH CRISIS is:

•Karl Buechner - vocals
•Scott Crouse - lead guitar
•Ian Edwards - bass
•Dennis Merrick - drums
•Kris Wiechmann - rhythm guitar

This summary reflects, in brief, the progression of Earth Crisis since its 1989 inception. Though slow in the beginning, Earth Crisis has today become one of the leading bands in the hardcore genre, as well as spearheading the vegan straight-edge scene. Their band is the vehicle to convey every wrong in humanity, a list that begins with animal liberation and attacks a complete array of social ills. Couple that with the devastating soundscape their music creates and you have, quite literally, one of the most powerful bands in the world. Imagine what the world would be like if more people thought this way...

1989 Karl's aim was to form an all-vegan, straight-edge lineup to address through lyrics the issues that he felt so strongly about. Thus began a three-year quest to find band members that wouldn't sell out their causes.

1992 Earth Crisis was solidified and shows were played. They released All Out War on local Conviction Records. (A label whose catalog was limited to two releases.) Late in the year, the band connected with Tony Brummel of Victory Records, who saw them live and immediately wanted them on his label. (Tony is also a vegan who holds many of the same beliefs as Earth Crisis.)

1993 Firestorm (VR 5) is released for Victory in the summer. It was recorded in Cleveland at Mars Studio, followed by what Karl calls "...a ridiculous attempt at a tour. Five weeks with something like 14 shows? We definitely paid our dues."

1994 Victory released the now in-demand All Out War (VR20). The band went to Europe for the first time. Their first show, which took place outside Manchester, England, brought in people as far as Germany who shared their beliefs and love for heavy music.

1995 Things escalated the most for the band during this year. Destroy the Machines was released, becoming Victory Records' best-selling title. The band completed two tours of Europe and two in the states. Media outlets of all kinds took notice of what the band and their movement is all about. In addition to well-known music publications, outlets such as the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS, CNN, TBS and more reported on Earth Crisis and the growing straight-edge movement within the hard music scene, finding "traditional values in untraditional places." However, their biggest year as a band came to a horrifying close when their van went off a cliff in Washington during a severe storm.

1996 Four months of recuperation were marked complete on April 12 when Earth Crisis flew to Los Angeles to be a part of one of the most historic shows in hardcore, selling out the Whisky in Hollywood with labelmates Snapcase and Strife. From there, more touring took place to make up for lost time. In July, the recording of Gomorrah's Season Ends was completed. Late August will find them touring Japan for the first time, and a statewide assault begins in October. Look for an interview on an upcoming MTV News special "Smashed," focusing on alcohol abuse and its effects on young people.

Earth Crisis maintain that they are all about forwarding a message. Their love of music and the dedication to the scene that they've built keeps them going, along with the strong motivation that comes from preserving lives through awareness. They see it as their job and, actually, their destiny.

This document was given to me by Riley Roark. Back to main page