Impact began as an online fanzine, one of the first of it’s kind, through the efforts of Brian Jordan (aka Gordo), Pete Russo and Brian Meryweather. All three lived in East Storudsburg, PA where hardcore was only a road trip away to NJ or NY during the “rebirth” of the late-90s. Pete and Brian also played in a locally-known hardcore act known as Parting Shot. The zine was carried on consistently updated with interviews, the latest news on all things hardcore, plenty of record reviews and even a forum for video trading, for nearly two and a half years. Once all three graduated high school and moved onto other endeavors, the zine came to a halt.
In 2002, Gordo and Pete took things up again, inspired by bands such as The First Step and Running Like Thieves. The first issue, “Can’t Get Away From The Past” was a commemorative issue, to document their experience and efforts during the 97-era of hardcore. It was released at Posi-Numbers Fest 2002, selling over 300 copies on the Sunday show alone. The following winter, the follow-up issue, “New Steps Down An Old Road” was released, accompanied by a limited Running Like Thieves 7”, “The Approval of the Crowd,” limited to 300 copies on green vinyl. The 142-page zine, featuring a 76-page documentary on the historic venue, The Anthrax, sold out it’s complete run of 1000 zines in 3 months.
Since then, no future plans have been solidified for a third issue.
