H2O was born out of frontman Toby Morse's unquestionable desire to give something back to hardcore music. Havin gbeen a roadie for several years with New York hardcore legends Sick Of It All, Toby got his first big chance to perform during one of their shows. "Pete wrote a song on the road, I wrote some lyrics, and for a goof I sang 'My Love Is Real' during one of their encores." The crowd reaction was so good that Toby's charismatic onstage appearances became a welcome and expected addition to SOIA shows.

Soon it became apparent that Toby was a much better frontman than he was a roadie. Toby decided to put together his own band, enlisting the help of his childhood friend Rusty Pistachio on guitar. After recruiting bassist Eric Rice and drummer Max Capshaw, H2O played its first show in December 1994, making an immediate and lasting impression on the New York masses. When the demand for their demo tape exceeded
all expectations, the band recorded a seven inch for Equal Vision Records. With their unique ability to fuse searing hardcore riffs with catchy melodic punk, it wasn't long before H2O was touring up and down the east coast.

In the summer of 1995, after a seven week legendary European tour with SOIA and Civ, the band parted ways with Max. They were joined by former Outcrowd members Todd Friend on drums and Todd Morse (Toby's brother) on guitar. H2O quickly thrived as a five-piece, bringing a stronger and richer sound to the hardcore community. Soon H2O released their self-titled debut album on Blackout! Records, an album that has since received acclaim from all sides.

Yet beyond the success of their debut record, it is impossible to fully appreciate H2O until you have seen them perform live. Toby's unstoppable onstage energy and personality, coupled with the band's solid musicianship, always lends itself to a hard-hitting, unforgettable show. And with the recent addition of bassist Adam Blake (formerly of Shelter), H2O has been able to tour the United States and Canada with the likes of Murphy's Law, The Misfits, and Social Distortion, not to mention countless headlining shows that have been selling out all over the east coast. To H2O it's all about bringing the music to as many kids as they can. Sez Toby: "Hardcore is not about what you eat, drink, or wear. It is a way of life, the music and the message."

And now this premier-league NYHC band will release their new album on Epitaph! Spreading hardcore reality all over the world and especially in your hood, the Epitaph debut "Thicker than Water" is one of the most explosive hard hitting records ever released on the label.