An Xperience Interview: Luke Abbey Drummer of Gorilla Biscuits

Interview: Luke Abbey (Gorilla Biscuits)

By: OP Callaghan 

Gorilla Biscuits are an American hardcore band hailing from Queens, N.Y. Formed in 1986, the band is part of the youth crew straight edge wave of New York hardcore.  Their first full-length album, “Start Today,”  is still one of the biggest-selling records ever for Revelation Records and still stands as one of the most influential albums of the genre.  Gorilla Biscuits’ live shows were always an energized call for unity and strength in the scene, and their recent show at Empire Live was no exception. 

Singer Anthony “Civ” Civorelli, guitarists Walter Schreifels and Charlie Garriga, bassist Arthur Meow Smilios, and drummer Luke Abbey are a well-oiled machine.  Drawing from albums released over 35 years ago, the band still sounds somehow fresh and relevant.  Having not seen them since the early 1990’s, I was thrilled to see the band still delivering hard-hitting anthems and sing-alongs with a controlled frenzy reminiscent of old New York Hardcore.  Singer Civ ripping through his vocal parts like an angry teenager, tossing the mic to the crowd for choruses, and simply clapping his hands twice to have his microphone miraculously return to the stage, shows the level of controlled chaos that is Gorilla Biscuits.  The rest of the band was all business and all smiles behind their instruments, conveying an infectious energy that was palpable from the start of their set to the last song.  These guys truly define hardcore, and we are all lucky to have them.  

As if this wasn’t enough, Civ then wished a happy birthday to one of the architects of the Albany hardcore scene, Mr. Dave Stein, who began Futile Effort Productions and put Albany and its hardcore scene on the map.  Dave, who passed away in August of 2023 after a lifelong battle with cancer, was a promoter of all things hardcore, vegan, and straight edge.  Dave, along with Steve Reddy of Equal Vision Records, started the Albany hardcore scene, bringing bands in from all over the United States, and making it a “must-play” city to this day.

Holding down the rhythm of Gorilla Biscuits is drummer Luke Abbey.  I first met Luke when we were both teenagers, and he had just joined Youth Of Today.  Luke has been playing in hardcore bands since the age of 14, including stints with the aforementioned Youth Of Today, Warzone, and Side By Side. Luke is a killer player with an impressive resume.  So please welcome Luke Abbey of Gorilla Biscuits!

RRX:  Luke!  Great to see you!   How did you get started being a drummer?

Luke Abbey:  (I was) just into music as a kid. Friends played, and one of their fathers was a drummer. After hitting drums the first time, I was very into it and wanted to play. 

RRX: Do you come from a musical family?

LA: I don’t. Lotta listeners but pretty much zero players. 

RRX: Do you play any other instruments? 

LA: I can get around on a bass and keyboard, but primarily for writing/learning purposes. I’ve filled in on bass before, but I’m by no means a bassist. 

RRX: Are you self-taught, or did you take lessons?

LA:  About 99% self-taught. Had a music theory class one semester in school and took a few percussion lessons about 30 years ago. Otherwise, everything has been done through my own efforts. 

RRX: Tell me about your first kit.

LA: Simple Pearl Export. 4-piece kit with kick, snare, and two racks. My father bought it for me when I was around 11 or 12 and didn’t know much about what he was getting. Borrowed a floor tom for the first three or four years playing. 

RRX:  What are you playing now? 

LA:  I play drums made by a company called SJC Drums. Have been the past 20 years, actually. Began as a small custom thing started by two brothers, which grew pretty significantly over the past several years. Good drums, solid people, and I’ve been happy with the sound and quality. 

RRX:  They sound great!   Tell me about some of the work you’ve done with other artists, bands, etc.

LA:  Mostly hardcore and heavier stuff. Gorilla Biscuits has always been the biggest-name band I’ve done, but there’ve been tons. Lotta other less aggressive stuff as well, which hasn’t always seen much exposure on a large scale. 

RRX: Who are some of your influences?  Has that changed since you started playing?

LA:  It’s a fluid bunch of musicians and non-musicians alike. Often depending on current situations and daily life. Some guys like Clyde Stubblefield and Mackie Jayson and John Bonham are always in my head, but there are so many that come and go. 

RRX:  Tell me about a performance or recording that you are especially proud of.

LA: The Warzone LP “Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget the Streets” was done live when I was 15 and still gets me how tight I sounded at that age. 

RRX:  It’s a great record.  I love the stuff you did with Youth of Today, too.   What are your future plans?  What’s the plan after this tour?

LA: Future plans are open. Would like to play more on a consistent and professional level. We (Gorilla Biscuits) have shows booked into June of this year, then will be quiet until 2027. 

RRX:  What is something that you’re passionate about outside of hardcore?

LA: Getting on trails and going!

RRX:  Thanks for being here, Luke, and for the incredible playing!

Check out Gorilla Biscuits today.  You won’t be sorry!