Live Review: Gorilla Biscuits, Shutdown, Orange 9 MM and More 9/26/25 Racket NYC

Gorilla Biscuits, Shutdown, Orange 9 MM and More 

9/26/25  Racket  NYC 

The official CBGB Festival pre-party went down on Friday night 9/26/25 on the westside of Manhattan just a few hours before the main event got underway in Brooklyn. No Iggy Pop sightings happened at Racket, but a host of NYHC legends and young punks slammed and shouted along with some great heavy music.

Deadshot opened the show and proved that a new generation were just as game to continue the NYHC traditions as the young band was drum tight. Playing songs from their recent EP, A Feeling of Content, the groups brief set was eye opening in its power, energy and attitude; they are certainly an up and coming group to follow.  

From the new to the old as No Redeeming Social Value were up next and the party popped off. NRSV have been doing their thing since the late 80's and were mainstays at CBGB's when the club was running their hardcore matinee's through the 90s. Opening with "More Tattoos" and closing with "Skinheads Rule" the band ran through their humorous offerings with speed and aggression. Efforts like "Your Boyfriend Is A Guido" and "Beer Equals Fun" were excellent as was the band's cover of Bold's "Wise Up" while "Chicken" had a full chicken suited mascot slamming in the pit.  

The Brooklyn NYHC band Shutdown returned to the New York stage delivering their brand of upbeat hardcore. While the group played some classic numbers ("Now More Than Ever" opened the show "Few and Far Between" closed it) yet they seemed especially focused on their newer songs off of their recent By Your Side release. Two songs in particular got special attention, the title track, which is an ode to those effected by depression and thinking of suicide, and "What Are You Thinking?". That song is on the poppier, 7 Seconds influenced side of punk, and was written for and dedicated too, everyone with Autism or living with someone Autistic, it found the band's families on stage to help sing and cheer the tune forward.

Orange 9mm had less fanfare on stage but came out swinging with "High Speed Changer" as lead singer Chaka Malik lead the band through their groove based hardcore. Pedal effects, hip hop influenced beats and thumping low end pushed the show past punk/hardcore and delivered some arena ready riffs on classics "Failure" and "Feel It" while also delivering their newest effort "Turn It Up" which feels right at home next to the band's older songs. "Can't Decide" wrapped up the strong set from the group who seem to be just as locked in as they were 30 years ago. 

You would have to go even further back to get to Gorilla Biscuits hey-day in the mid 80's but just like the other older bands on this bill, they are looking and sounding like they are still in their prime as the brass blasts of "New Direction" signaled the start of their cooking headlining set. "Stand Still" got the crowd singing along as the band kicked off their set proper. The band stuck to the classics as "Things We Say", "High Hopes" and "Good Intentions" all rang out strong. The band shouted out its NYC roots, recalling Crucial Chaos radio show and  Johnny Stiff who was in the house (and RtBE chatted with post show).

"Big Mouth" and the deep groove of "Hold Your Ground" were dynamite before the band played a CIV cover with "Do Something". That wasn't the only cover though as the band also punched out a kick ass version of "Minor Threat" and "As One" by Warzone which was excellent. The group saved their best for last as they ended with the trio of "Time Flies", "Cats and Dogs" and the best tune the band have, "Start Today" which added harmonica, a host of kids on the stage and brought the house down and the night to a close.

Sometimes when NYHC bands who don't often tour, play a special show like this the results can be a mixed bag, but not on this night. Every band was completely revved up, hitting on all cylinders and delivered the punk rock/NYHC goods. 

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