FAHRENHEIT 451 REUNION

by Jason Walsh
photos by Samma Jamma

In the mid-90s, some friends came together in the South Bronx to form a hardcore band called Without A Cause. After recruiting childhood friend Armando Bordas and bass player Kevin Smith, the band’s wide range of influences became apparent, changing the initial straight-forward hardcore sound into a fusion of punk, reggae, hip hop, and latin rhythms. With that, Fahrenheit 451 was born.

However, despite a solid run, the band parted ways in 2000. Now, almost a decade later, when asked to participate in the Black ‘n Blue Bowl, Bordas could not resist.

“This is a New York hardcore staple,” he said. “The Superbowl goes so far back. To be playing it is just an honor. I never played a Superbowl in the city and when this opportunity came up, I was like, ‘hell yeah.’ I definitely wanted to do it.”

Fahrenheit 451 is not planning to get back together on a full time basis, but they have extended themselves past the Black ‘n Blue Bowl.

“We were just going to do this show and now it’s kind of steamrolled itself into a couple other shows,” Bordas said. “We’ve been apart, not been a band, for almost seven years, but we got the reunion fever.”

They will be opening for H2O at the Trocadero in Philadelphia on May 31st and have committed to the “This Is Hardcore Fest” on August 23rd, also to be held in Phily. Bordas says its been great to playing again with his brothers in 451.

“It was like you never left. These are my dear friends who I’ve had forever and I love them. I’m glad to be on the stage with them. It’s fun.”

Bordas has continued to stay active within the hardcore community. With 451 guitarist Lenny Bednarz, he plays in a joke hardcore band called Dominican Day Parade and runs a ‘zine called “C…Rap.”

He was also approached recently by Black ‘n Blue Bowl sponsor, Rockstar Games, to program the Liberty City Hardcore radio station for Grand Theft Auto 4. Rockstar Games founder Sam Houser is a friend of Bordas and a fan of New York hardcore as well. He felt Bordas was perfect for the project. The LCHC station will feature a collection of classic NYHC anthems handpicked by Bordas.

Regardless of what the future might hold for the guys in Fahrenheit 451, being a part of such an important New York hardcore event is truly special to Bordas.

“It’s part of my childhood and part of our history here. Collectively, you bring everybody together, everybody has a great time, and plays a great show. You get to see some of your favorite bands that you grew up on too. Agnostic Front, Madball, Breakdown. It’s like, awesome.”