Krishnacore is a subgenre ofhardcore punk that draws inspiration from theHare Krishna tradition. Although some hardcore punk bands had already made references to Krishna Consciousness in the 1980s, the subgenre was established in the early 1990s by the bandsShelter and108.[1][2] The name is aportmanteau of "Krishna" and "hardcore".
Academic Colin Helb has described Krishnacore as "a subculture of a subcultureof a subculture."[3] The subgenre has been met with surprise by some observers, due to the reputed contradictions between punk rock and Krishna Consciousness.[3][4][5]
Punk rock andHinduism have converged occasionally since the early days of the genre. SingerPoly Styrene of the English bandX-Ray Spex joinedISKCON following the breakup of her band in 1980.[6] In theNew York hardcore punk scene, the main influence on some musicians to embrace ISKCON was the Washington D.C.'s hardcore bandBad Brains which, despite beingRastas, "grafted fervent spirituality onto an otherwisenihilistic andantitranscendental genre."[4] One of the first members of its scene to adopt Krishna consciousness wasJohn Joseph of theCro-Mags.[7] New York bandsAntidote andCause for Alarm were among the first that began to explore Krishna consciousness in both their creative and personal lives,[8][9][note 1] but the most prominent example was the Cro-Mags' debut albumThe Age of Quarrel (1986), whose title is a translation for the Hindu concept ofKali Yuga that is taught in Hare Krishna philosophy.[2]
Music journalist Eric Caruncho has noted that theFilipino bandThe Wuds performed Krishna-influenced punk as early as 1986.[11][12]
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The bandShelter was formed in 1991, which is credited as the inventor of Krishnacore.[13] Shelter consisted of two ex-members ofYouth of Today, vocalistRay Cappo and guitaristJohn Porcelly, who had become Krishna devotees.[13]
In contrast to the typicalanti-religious themes of punk bands at the time,[14] religion was one of the main themes of Krishnacore lyrics. Bands often took inspiration from Indian religious texts, such as thePuranas,Upanishads,Bhagavad-gita, and theSrimad-Bhagavatam.[14]
The genre is also strongly associated withEqual Vision Records, which was formed by Shelter members to promote the Krishna movement.[15] Other early acts within the genre include108, Refuse to Fall and Prema.[2]
Although the Hare Krishna movement and manystraight edgers shared the principles of refraining from drug use,vegetarianism and condemnation of illicit sex, the former also provided atranscendental and philosophical framework wherein lay these commitments.[16] Academic Mike Dines states that Krishnacore bands were "conscious of its own history and aesthetic." He highlights "the importance of the devotional doctrine ofbhakti-yoga within this relationship; a doctrine that was to inform further the move from straightedge punk to Hare Krishna monk."[17]
Dines also mentions the idea that in the "material" conception of the name of Krishna, there is a duality between the written and spoken name. On the other hand, Vaishnavas believe in the concept of "transcendental vibration," which has a divine meaning as it originates from the spiritual world itself. Even though Krishnacore is very different than usual prayer music, the idea of transcendental vibration helps grant validity to Krishnacore, despite its differences.[18]
Dines therefore brings togetherrasa and the ideaofNada-Brahma to highlight the "unique fusion of Western popular music and the Eastern-based Indian spirituality (and lifestyle) of theVaishnavas."[19] In turning the punk aesthetic towards the devotional and, in particular, the transcendental vibration of the holy name, Krishnacore became a site of expression forbhakti-yoga. Moreover, Dines states "what provides validity to the connecting of Krishnacore and Indian aesthetics lies in the placement of those band members and associates who were involved in the scene."[20] He concludes, "Ray Cappo, Robert Fish andVic DiCara were not mere spectators of the Hare Krishna movement, but were indeed devotees themselves, reading and studying scripture, attending lectures and practicing the lifestyle of the devotee."[20]
The difference between Krishnacore and bands such as Cro-Mags or Cause for Alarm, which previously made some connections between the Hare Krishna movement and the hardcore scene, was that the service to Krishna had become the sole objective of Krishnacore.[2]
In 1995, the rock magazineSpin published an article noting the emergence of Krishnacore bands — hardcore bands whose lyrics preached devotion to Krishna. Now it can be told: the Wuds were there first, 10 years ahead of their time