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‘It was the hardcore equivalent of being a Deadhead’: consciousness-raising punk movement Krishnacore returns
First-wave punks rejected religion – but come the 90s, bands embracing eastern thought found legions of devotees. Ahead of reformations and reissues, they discuss the Bhagavad Gita, brawls and tulasi beads in the pit
TL;DR
- Early punk rock generally rejected religion, but the 1990s saw the emergence of Krishnacore, which fused hardcore with Eastern spirituality.
- Bands like Youth of Today, Shelter, and 108 were central to the movement, drawing inspiration from scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita.
- Krishnacore influenced punk culture with trends like wearing tulasi beads and sparked spiritual discussions.
- While some bands like Shelter promoted positivity, others like 108 were more militant, leading to conflicts at shows.
- The movement had a global reach, inspiring subsequent bands and continuing to influence musicians today.