Youth OF Today was initially active from 1985 to 1990 before reforming in 2010. The band played a major role in establishing the “youth-crew” subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies of the straight-edge and vegetarian lifestyles. Formed in Danbury, Connecticut, by two members of the hardcore band Violent Children, Ray Cappo (vocals) and John Porcelly (aka Porcell, guitar) were aiming to start a straight-edge band at a time when most old school straight-edge bands had disbanded. Having difficulty finding a bassist and drummer, Ray and Porcell found help from two high-school friends, Graham Phillips and Darren Pesce, who had played with Porcell in a band called THE Young Republicans in the past.