March Twenty-Third, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Six... It was cold that day. I don't just mean the weather, their was a cold bitterness in the air that can only be matched by the feeling of defeat all over Dave's face. Dave, the long time member and co founder of the experimental band Mr. Useless had found out earlier that day of the termination of the musical groups activities.
Dave, absolutely distraught and dumbfounded by the break up turned to long time friend and companion Jon (AKA Goldyn) for comfort and support. Jon, who himself was a long time musician/singer was unfulfilled with a lot of the musical projects he himself had tried over a period of years. When a musician is taken away from music or the ability to creatively make music he is then left closed and broken and motivation levels become null and void. Both men torn over thier lack to create sat down and decided to make music together. Insane Youth was then concieved.
Ideas flew rampant, songs were written and emotion and the strong need to express opinions and ideas with the problems of the world were included into the format. One problem. They needed a drummer, but not just any drummer - someone who could carry the message of the music and create beats that could match the energy and enthusiasm of the music. Not having much luck of thier quest, Jon had the idea to go out and skate (another way for Jon and Dave to release tension). So they headed out to their local Sportmart complex, with its vast majority of stairs, painted curbs, embankments, and low kick-out rate... That was the place to be. While attending an excellent session at "the mart," Jon lifted his head to realize a certain blast from the past in the form of a Tim Cronin. Tim (AKA Top Cat) was a musician that had worked on projects in the past with Jon. Tim was one of the most diverse and excellent drummers that Jon had ever came in contact with. With drum gods such as Dave Lombardo, Neil Pert, Carter Beuford, Danny Carrey, Lars Ulrich, and Jon Bonham filling Tim's cacaphonic drum assaults, Jon knew instantly this was the man for the job! Jon and Dave spent 45 minutes persuading Tim to sit in for a jam. Tim was aware of Jon's past drug abuse problems and had mixed emotions. He felt the urge to create, but could he trust Jon? He wanted to, but did Jon really clean up? He took a chance, and they jammed. Tim had an instant connection with Dave's free spirited and diverse jamming abilities. A connection was made that day; old friends cured an open wound and a new friendship was born, one that transcends even the power of the spiritual plane.
Oh shit! We need a bass player!! We got a tight rythm section, lyrical awareness, and fluid guitar, but where's the bass? A friend of Jon's who was dating this guy named Guy told him he was a musician. Guy on the other hand met Jon before and misunderstood him and thought he was a pretty big A--hole!! But none the less, Jon was relentless at trying to bury the hatchet and enroll Guy as their bass player. One problem, Guy played guitar. After Guy and Jon sat up one night and opened up the universe, they accepted each others way of life. Guy decided he would fill in until another bass player could be found. That day, he found a permanent home in us.
While all this was going on, Dave decided to book a show. Unaware that a bass player was found, with only 3 songs written, Dave pushed for it to be a true reality and not just an idea. So what did we do? We now had a sound bass, drum, guitar, and vocals, topped off with anxiety, and we prepared for the show. Jon was an artist, so he quickly whipped up some flyers, printed them, then started distributing them every where he went. The band practiced 4 times and it was showtime. Bethel Gym had no idea what was about to happen. Given a 45 minute set and accidently booked as headliners, Insane YOuth tood the stage. Making up music for more than half of the set. Something happened that night, a strong vocalist, an energetic bass player, a free form guitarist, and a dynamic drummer... well, they rocked the house. More gigs came and came.
Along the way, Guy's longtime school mate and good friend John took an interest in INSANE YOUTH. Hanging out, helping out at gigs; sometimes video taping, carrying equipment, sound engineer, you name it he did it. John learned the songs, words and all, and it was brought to everyones attention he played guitar. A feeling that something was missing was felt and that we needed to move our sound in a different direction was apparent. Originally John was asked to learn the solos in the BIOHAZARD cover the band did of "Punishment." He would learn them and only play that song with the band live. When Tim, Dave, and John heard Gibbs play, they found the missing piece. Gibbs was taken out to breakfast and Jon had asked him, "You want to jam?" Gibbs replied "Yeah". Jon had then said "No, like for good, like in the band?" and once again Gibbs replied "Yeah!" Now with a solid song base, a reliable jam spot (AKA 35th Street Studios), a full range sound, and abilities to overcome any obstacle that was thrown in their faces, it was time to record.
In August of 1997, INSANE YOUTH entered the studio a different band from when it was formed. The hardcore/aggressive punk sound had turned into a full on audio assault combing punk rock, hip hop, hardcore, industial, thrash, funk and groove metal. The band found their edge. It was a fresh and exciting sound in the underground Chicago scene and people grew to be very blown away by it. The album, entitled "CHI-CORE", became a favorite by the local fans and local college radio. 88X often asked Jon & Dave into the studio. Songs such as "Submissive Minds", "Am I Missing the Point", "Pain", and "Assimilate", were anthems of local teens fed up with the harsh realities of every day life. So when there's a decent product and an interesting sound, you play out. And that's what they did.
Hookin' up gigs with hardcore pros like SAM BLACK CHURCH, rising newcomers NOTHINGFACE, Chicago veterans WICKERMAN, death metal favorites MALEVOLENT CREATION, and local punk favs AYA and the FEDS, INSANE YOUTH played. Their wide range sound was accepted and liked by almost all ranges of musical variety. Appearing on local cabel access shows and constantly playing out wiped them clean. A long break was in need. So as fast as INSANE YOUTH appeared into the scene, they disappeared.
Occasionally playing once in a while, they started the long process of achieving their true sound. Along the way they grew. They grew as individuals and as musicians. Achieving more and more musical appreciation. They were not the negative "Destroy and Oppose 'INSANE YOUTH'" anymore. Instead of wanting to fight it all, they discovered in fact that they needed to change it all. Energy feeds off energy. If we come across negativity it only causes more chaos. If we try to motivate people positively then it can bring forth change. As they grew, they learned to shutdown the negative affects of life and make themselves aware of the corruption, the greed, the power, and the lies that we were all once blind to. Like the caterpiller that turns into the butterfly, we were born the INSANE YOUTH and metamorphisized into KILSWITCH. With the birth of the new millenium, will be the birth of KILSWITCH. Expect the new album spring of 2000 along with a tour.
