On December 5th 1995, in the middle of their North American tour, Earth Crisis' tour van flipped on icy roads, injuring all the band members, most severely drummer Dennis Merrick who was ejected from the van when it flipped. Miraculously, all the members survived the crash, but Merrick suffered severe injuries including two collapsed lungs, broken ribs, and other injuries which would keep him from playing for quite some time.
Back home in Syracuse waiting for their friend and band mate to recover, the other members of Earth Crisis started writing songs for a side project, a no frills, stripped down, less metallic sound than EC, and with one topic in mind lyrically: straightedge.
A Unique Lineup
The Path of Resistance formed with a unique lineup featuring three singers: Kris Weichmann and Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis, along with DJ Rose, a close friend and straightedge advocate from the Syracuse scene.
The lineup also included Scott Crouse and Ian Edwards, both of Earth Crisis, on guitar, and former Earth Crisis drummer Mike Riccardi on drums. Shane Durgee is credited in the album as playing bass, but in an interview posted on xStuck In the Pastx, he tells the interviewer that he only practiced with them, and that Ian played bass on the recording, but the album cover was made before recording took place. The band recorded from February 12-16, 1996 and the album entitled Who Dares...Wins was released on Victory Records.
A Short-Lived Existence
Earth Crisis returned to touring in April of that year, and then went into the studio to record their Gomorrah's Season Ends (1996) album, putting any hope of a live Path performance on hold temporarily.
New Years Day 1997 finally proved to be The Path's first live appearance, and according to record label Victory, nearly 800 people turned out to be part of the event. The band made one final appearance later that year, playing a surprise set following a Madball show in Syracuse later that year before the band was put to rest.
The members of Earth Crisis involved in The Path project never took the band as more than a fun diversion with friends, as they were committed full-time to the music and the message that was Earth Crisis. There was no drama or bad blood surrounding the dissolution of The Path, but the two shows they played became legendary in the minds of both those present, and in the hardcore community at large. One question lingered on everyone's mind waiting to be answered:
When will The Path return?
The Path Reunites
In April 2004, The Path of Resistance reunited with a slightly different lineup, with Merrick now playing drums for Riccardi, Ian Edwards singing in place of Weichmann, his brother Eric on guitar, and Johnathan Dennison on bass.
A second reunion show followed New Years Day 2005, and the band released a new album Can't Stop the Truth in 2006 followed by a world-wide tour. It is uncertain what the future holds for The Path of Resistance now that Earth Crisis is back in action full-time, but it's safe to assume we have not heard the last of them yet.
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