Effective period / Period of releases: 1989

Members: Bobby Siems, Michael Gross (5), David Penick, John Roberson (2)

Taken from the sticker on the back of their only release:

"Once upon a time...there lived a band with the power to capture your heart... and mirror your soul. The story began in the depths of the lower East Side of New York City where Cruel Story Of Youth first began working the club scene. Taking their name from the '60s Japanese film classic, Cruel Story Of Youth features honesty, intelligence and lack of pretense; an album that rocks.

Cruel Story Of Youth describes themselves as an American guitar rock band. Singer/guitarist/songwriter John Are sights his favorite songwriters and lyricist as Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Cult and his all-time favorite performer is the late Jimi Hendrix. Lyrically, these songs deal with the many facets and viewpoints of relationships, both from the inside and outside of love. Cruel Story Of Youth show tremendous conviction and integrity in their rock-steady performances.

So listen my children and be seduced by the Cruel Story Of Youth! Unstoppable rock 'n' roll with melodies and an edge. With a spellbinding debut, the story begins."