began a brief side project

In the late 1980s, vocalist Ian Leck and guitarist Sean Readman were members of Durham straight edge hardcore band Steadfast. In 1990, while still in Steadfast, Leck began a brief side project, called Know Your Enemy, which was heavily inspired by Judge with bassist Buzzard, who had recently been released from prison for grievous bodily harm , drummer Gary Cousins and guitarist Darrell Hindley, who both played in another Durham straight edge hardcore band called False Face. Buzzard departed from the band a few weeks after formation, leading to hiring of David “Brownie” Brown. By the time Steadfast and False Face had broken up in 1991, the four members decided to regroup with the addition of Steadfast guitarist Sean Readman, who had a single rehearsal with Know Your Enemy material, before deciding to distance themselves from those songs and pursue a faster Boston hardcore -inspired sound under a different name.