Complete List Of Gel Band Members

Feature Photo: 49p, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Emerging from New Jersey’s vibrant hardcore punk scene, Gel carved out a distinctive place in modern hardcore during their brief but impactful seven-year run from 2018 to 2025. Formed in 2018 as a side project of powerviolence band Sick Shit, Gel has released one full-length album, two EPs, one demo, and one split mini album. Huw Baines of NME credited them for “shaping the sound of hardcore in 2023”. The band distinguished themselves by pursuing a more traditional hardcore punk style compared to the powerviolence approach of their previous project, while maintaining an inclusive philosophy centered around their unofficial slogan “hardcore for the freaks.” Their music emphasized speed, aggression, and accessibility, drawing from punk rock roots rather than following the more technical or metallic directions that characterized much of 2010s and 2020s hardcore.

Gel originated from the former New Jersey powerviolence band Sick Shit, which was founded by guitarist Matthew Bobko and drummer Zach Miller. Sami Kaiser joined soon after. When Sick Shit’s bassist departed from the group, the role was filled by Anthony Webster, who soon after switched to guitar. This lineup of Sick Shit formed Gel in 2018 as a side project in order to pursue a more traditional hardcore punk style. The band quickly gained recognition within the hardcore community, particularly after a legendary performance in a Sonic Drive-In parking lot in 2022 that went viral and helped establish their reputation. Their music incorporated elements of post-punk and D-beat while staying true to hardcore’s punk rock foundations, creating what critics described as “fast, noisy and uncompromisingly energetic” songs.

In March 2025, the band announced their dissolution by an Instagram post, citing internal conflicts with former guitarist Anthony Webster. The band accused Webster of misusing band funds and engaging in misconduct towards the band members. Despite their relatively short career, Gel left a significant impact on the hardcore scene, with their debut album “Only Constant” receiving widespread critical acclaim and their inclusive approach helping to broaden hardcore’s appeal beyond its traditional audience. Their breakup came at the height of their success, with scheduled appearances at major festivals and tours with established acts, making their dissolution particularly notable within the hardcore community.

Sami Kaiser

Sami Kaiser served as Gel’s vocalist from the band’s formation in 2018 until their dissolution in 2025, providing the emotional and lyrical core that defined the band’s identity. Kaiser (who, along with guitarist Nave, is nonbinary) brought a deeply personal and inclusive perspective to hardcore punk, with lyrics designed to resonate with outcasts and those seeking community within an often chaotic world. Their vocal style combined traditional hardcore aggression with emotional vulnerability, creating songs that could simultaneously function as mosh pit anthems and personal manifestos of resilience.

The lyrics are very personal to Sami. A lot of them are dealing with their personal struggles. There’s both anger and hope, which I think balances the record. Kaiser’s approach to songwriting was particularly evident on Gel’s debut album “Only Constant,” where they explored themes of recovery from alcoholism, self-improvement, and personal growth while maintaining the confrontational energy that defines hardcore punk. Their lyrics often contained mantras and affirmations that encouraged listeners to find stability amid chaos, reflecting their own journey of self-discovery and healing.

Beyond their role as vocalist, Kaiser became a prominent voice for inclusivity within the hardcore scene, helping to create welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities. Their presence as a nonbinary vocalist in a genre often dominated by cisgender men represented important progress in hardcore’s ongoing evolution toward greater diversity and acceptance. Following Gel’s dissolution, Kaiser’s contributions to hardcore remain significant, having helped bridge the gap between traditional hardcore aggression and contemporary discussions about mental health, identity, and community building.

Matthew Bobko

Matthew Bobko served as Gel’s bassist from 2018 to 2025, providing the rhythmic foundation that anchored the band’s fast-paced hardcore sound. Gel originated from the former New Jersey powerviolence band Sick Shit, which was founded by guitarist Matthew Bobko and drummer Zach Miller. His transition from guitar in Sick Shit to bass in Gel demonstrated his musical versatility and commitment to serving the song rather than showcasing individual technical prowess. Bobko’s bass work emphasized driving rhythms and melodic sensibility that complemented Gel’s punk-rooted approach to hardcore.

Throughout Gel’s career, Bobko’s bass playing evolved alongside the band’s musical development, from their early demo recordings through their critically acclaimed debut album “Only Constant.” His playing style focused on creating a solid rhythmic foundation that could support both the breakneck speed of their fastest songs and the more nuanced dynamics of their musically diverse material. So three of us — our singer, bass player and drummer — all grew up in the same town and went to high school together. The three of them were in a band called Sick Shit, then their bass player left and I joined.

Bobko’s long-standing relationship with his bandmates, particularly Kaiser and original drummer Zach Miller, contributed to the tight musical chemistry that characterized Gel’s recordings and live performances. His role extended beyond just bass playing, as he was one of the founding members who helped establish Gel’s musical direction and aesthetic vision. Following the band’s dissolution in 2025, Bobko’s contributions to Gel’s legacy include his role in developing their signature sound that successfully bridged traditional hardcore punk with contemporary sensibilities.

Madison “Maddi” Nave

Madison Nave joined Gel as guitarist in 2021, bringing fresh energy and musical perspectives that enhanced the band’s sound during their most successful period. Maddi came along a little later, around two years ago, but the rest of us have been playing together for seven, eight years. Kaiser (who, along with guitarist Nave, is nonbinary) As a nonbinary musician, Nave’s presence in Gel reinforced the band’s commitment to inclusivity and representation within the hardcore scene, helping to create space for LGBTQ+ individuals in a genre that had historically been less welcoming to diverse identities.

Nave’s guitar work contributed significantly to Gel’s sound on their most acclaimed releases, including the “Only Constant” album and subsequent “Persona” EP. As Webster and Nave tore through timelessly gritty riffs that recalled ’80s hardcore greats SSD and Negative Approach Their playing style combined influences from classic 1980s hardcore with contemporary approaches, helping to create Gel’s distinctive sound that was both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Nave’s contributions were particularly evident in the band’s ability to balance aggression with melody, creating songs that were accessible to newcomers while satisfying longtime hardcore fans.

NAVE: I feel like it’s definitely changing a lot, especially within the last few years, after Covid and stuff. I think a lot [of it] is having bands that aren’t just cis straight men. I’m not saying that having people that differ from that gives a band a higher pedestal, but I think just having those bands being able to exist and work in the same scene, I think that allows for more acceptance and a better community built off of that. Nave’s perspective on the evolving hardcore scene reflected their commitment to fostering positive change within the community, advocating for equal opportunities and acceptance for all participants regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Alex Salter

Alex Salter joined Gel as drummer in 2023, replacing founding member Zach Miller and helping to maintain the band’s rhythmic intensity during their final period. Alex Salter – drums (2023-present) Salter’s addition to the band came during a crucial time, as Gel was building momentum following the success of their debut album “Only Constant” and preparing for what would become their final major releases. His drumming style successfully maintained the driving force that had characterized Gel’s sound while bringing his own musical sensibilities to the role.

Salter’s tenure with Gel, though relatively brief, was marked by significant achievements including the recording and release of the “Persona” EP in 2024. On August 16, 2024, Gel released a 5-song EP titled “Persona” on new record label Blue Grape Music. The EP’s themes were inspired by the works of Carl Jung, particularly his concept of the shadow self. “Persona” has been well-received by critics, with praise for its sonic evolution that incorporates a bolder production style while maintaining the band’s aggressive hardcore sound. His drumming on this release demonstrated his ability to adapt to Gel’s existing musical framework while contributing to their continued evolution.

Despite the abbreviated nature of his time with Gel due to the band’s dissolution in 2025, Salter’s contributions were essential to maintaining the band’s live performance energy and studio recording quality during their most visible period. His professional approach and musical skills helped Gel navigate the transition from their founding drummer while preparing for what were intended to be major touring opportunities with established acts like Spiritbox and Volbeat.

Zach Miller

Zach Miller served as Gel’s drummer from the band’s formation in 2018 until 2023, providing the rhythmic foundation that defined their early sound and development. Gel originated from the former New Jersey powerviolence band Sick Shit, which was founded by guitarist Matthew Bobko and drummer Zach Miller. Miller’s drumming background in powerviolence proved invaluable as Gel developed their approach to traditional hardcore punk, bringing technical precision and creative intensity to their faster-paced musical style.

Miller’s drum work can be heard across Gel’s most important early releases, including their self-titled debut EP (2019), “Violent Closure” EP (2021), and their critically acclaimed debut album “Only Constant” (2023). So three of us — our singer, bass player and drummer — all grew up in the same town and went to high school together. His longtime friendship and musical relationship with Kaiser and Bobko contributed significantly to the band chemistry that made Gel’s music so effective, both in studio recordings and live performances.

Engineered by Miller and Trish Quigley at Landmine Studios in Ewing, New Jersey, this visceral spirit is writ large all over the album. Beyond his drumming contributions, Miller also served as an engineer on “Only Constant,” demonstrating his technical expertise and deep understanding of how to capture Gel’s live energy in recorded form. His dual role as performer and engineer helped ensure that the band’s studio work maintained the immediacy and intensity that characterized their live performances. Miller’s departure from the band in 2023 marked the end of an era for Gel, as he had been instrumental in establishing their sound and developing their reputation within the hardcore community.

Anthony Webster

Anthony Webster served as guitarist for Gel from 2018 to 2024, contributing significantly to the band’s musical development during their most successful period before his departure amid serious allegations from his former bandmates. When Sick Shit’s bassist departed from the group, the role was filled by Anthony Webster, who soon after switched to guitar. This lineup of Sick Shit formed Gel in 2018 as a side project in order to pursue a more traditional hardcore punk style. Webster’s guitar work was integral to Gel’s sound throughout their career, helping to establish the musical foundation that would make them one of the most talked-about hardcore bands of the early 2020s.

Webster’s contributions to Gel’s recorded output include all of their major releases from their 2018 debut EP through the 2024 “Persona” EP. As Webster and Nave tore through timelessly gritty riffs that recalled ’80s hardcore greats SSD and Negative Approach His guitar style combined influences from classic hardcore with contemporary approaches, helping to create the distinctive sound that critics praised for bridging hardcore’s punk rock roots with modern sensibilities. “We wanted to document it in that way,” guitarist Anthony Webster tells NME of pulling together the show, still a little taken aback by the response. “It’s easy to call it a gimmick, but it’s fun. It’s cool. Yo, we got 300 kids in a Sonic parking lot and somehow didn’t get shut down by the cops. Everyone had a blast.”

In March 2025, the band announced their dissolution by an Instagram post, citing internal conflicts with former guitarist Anthony Webster. The band accused Webster of misusing band funds and engaging in misconduct towards the band members. The serious nature of these allegations, which included financial misconduct and other inappropriate behavior, led to the immediate dissolution of the band and cancellation of all scheduled performances. Webster’s departure and the subsequent revelations marked a tragic end to what had been one of hardcore’s most promising young bands, overshadowing his musical contributions with the controversy that ultimately destroyed the group.