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title: Revelation Records created: 2026-04-07 updated: 2026-04-07 type: label tags: [label, hardcore, straight-edge, youth-crew, emo, era-1990s, era-2000s, era-2010s] sources: [raw/articles/revelation-records-history.md]

Revelation Records

New Haven, Connecticut (originally). Founded 1987 by Jordan Cooper and Ray Cappo (of Youth of Today). Started as a 7“ label — Cooper and Cappo pressed Youth of Today’s Can’t Close My Eyes EP on vinyl and it sold out instantly. Grew into the most important youth crew/straight edge label and later expanded into emo and melodic hardcore.

The Youth Crew Era (1987-1990)

Revelation’s early catalog IS the youth crew movement:

  • Youth of Today — Can’t Close My Eyes (1987), Break Down the Walls (1988), We’re Not in This Alone (1988)
  • Gorilla Biscuits — Self-titled (1988), Start Today (1989)
  • Judge — New York Crew (1988), Bringin’ It Down (1989)
  • Side by Side — You’re Only Young Once (1988)
  • Bold — Speak Out (1988)
  • Project X — Straight edge.
  • Warzone — Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget the Streets (1988).

Every major youth crew release was on Revelation. The label’s catalog numbers (Rev #1 through Rev #20 or so) are collector’s items.

The Emo/Melodic Expansion (1990s)

As youth crew’s moment passed, Revelation evolved:

  • Sense Field — Emo/melodic. Building (1996).
  • Texas Is the Reason — NYC. Do You Know Who You Are? (1996). Named after a Jawbreaker lyric.
  • Shelter — Ray Cappo’s Hare Krishna hardcore. Mantra (1995).
  • Into Another — Ignaurus (1994). Alternative/hardcore.
  • Quicksand — Walter Schreifels (ex-Gorilla Biscuits). Slip (1993). Post-hardcore landmark.
  • Sick of It All — Later releases.

Legacy

Revelation proved a label could be built entirely on the hardcore community — no outside funding, no major distribution, just pressing records that the scene wanted. The Revelation 7“ is punk’s vinyl format — the default unit of hardcore release.