Gorilla Biscuits and Negative Approach playing the Newport on a Friday Night are an interesting exploration into Hardcore Punk’s continued evolution.
Turnstile’s recent Grammy wins included the Metal Performance Award for “Birds.” This started a conversation about where is a Hardcore song also a metal song.
Gorilla Biscuits, and Negative Approach won’t answer this question. Both these pioneering bands would answer why Turnstile’s culture is both critically acclaimed, and loved by people who mosh.
Negative Approach is a legendary Hardcore band from Detroit formed in 1981. Negative Approach were a bridge between The Stooges, Hardcore, and Steve Albini. In 2026, Negative Approach took the Newport Stage filled people of all ages and backgrounds. Everyone looked punk in various years, and clothing styles.
Negative Approach blistered into Hypocrite denouncing those imposing 80’s conservative conformity. We were a Punk Show. “Hypocrite” was released by Touch N Go Records in 1983. Touch N Go is a Chicago label which evolved Hardcore from Negative Approach into 90’s noise and alternative Rock N Roll bands like Big Black, Girls Against Boys into 2000’s TV on The Radio.
Post-Rock band Slint, and Various Steve Albini bands are a logical conclusion of Negative Approach’s style of working man’s artistic Hardcore. I stood behind someone wearing a Crass patch. Negative Approach’s banner had the Gorilla Biscuits’ Ape smiling over it.
We were a punk show. Smart punks oppose colonialism’s mass murders. A dozen songs in and Negative Approach were denouncing Genocide. Negative Approach are Rock N Roll Hardcore critical favorites.
Turnstile doesn’t sound like Negative Approach but Turnstile exists in the hardcore criterion critics find “cool.”
Gorilla Biscuit were next led by lead singer CIV. CIV is the essence of the Positive vegan essence of punk. CIV was really excited that his band was playing a packed room in Columbus, Ohio. CIV sang 1989’s New Direction which denounces people who are attempting to exploit Hardcore energized 1550 people in the Newport Music Hall.
Turnstile’s authenticity and creating a safe space of positive youth is something Turnstile cultivated from Biscuit’s influence on Hardcore Culture. CIV is kinda like Ian Mackaye partying.
About three songs in, CIV gave a speech while introducing my favorite Gorilla Biscuit’s song. CIV told the audience that the security was allowing stage diving and moshing.
CIV then said:
“..Punk Rock and Hardcore music is rooted in love, togetherness, unity and family
This goes out to you..
The rest of this year, and onward.
Turn down the hate, and turn up the love.
This song is called Degradation.”
Degradation denounces white supremacists and Nazis who were trying to infect the Hardcore scene with their horrible culture. “Degradation” is from the NYC’s band’s 1989 album Start Today released from Revelation Records. Revelation Records is known for releasing Hardcore Records. 1550 people in the Newport moshed and clapped while CIV led room with Biscuit Power and other punk classics.
Things We Say, Big Mouth, a Buzzcocks song, and then CIV sang: Minor Threat.
I wondered if between Turnstile’s success and Riot Fest, would a Minor Threat reunion be possible? Ian Mackaye isn’t the type who would exploit his bands legacy.
With that said: conditions are pretty ideal for legendary bands to play at their own rules. People could experience Dischord Records bands with culture where punks could control ethics around performance.
CIV applauded the large amount of Bad Brains shirts worn by Newport’s audience. CIV concluded Biscuit’s anticipated Columbus concert with Cats And Dogs and START TODAY after championing Veganism with charisma.