Feature / One Question Interviews
Escapist Records

Words: Loren • December 15, 2013

Escapist Records
Escapist Records

Michael Phillips (Escapist Records, former Scene Point Blank editor and writer of 500+ reviews)

SPB: Basements, bars, or both?

Phillips: Bar shows verses basement shows has been a long running debate in the DIY community. And while I have yet to ever skip a show because of location - heck, I have even been to a show at a log cabin - I would have to say between the two options given I would have to give the victory to basements.

There is just something about the intimacy of being packed into an enclosed space of a basement, where the intensity of the band’s performance is concentrated by the limited space. The same can be said for all house shows, living rooms shouldn’t be excluded from this discussion. Sure, it may me hot and sweaty or even stink, but those are all things you should expect when attending a “punk” show. If you don’t want your shoes getting scuffed and your perfect hair disheveled, then stay home.

I can no longer count the number of basement shows I’ve attended in my hometown and abroad, but I certainly find myself reminiscing about these shows, oftentimes as they are among the first shows that established acts played when they first hit the road. I recall seeing artists such as Into It. Over It., Daylight, Now Now, and many more at It’s A Kling Thing! House in Akron, OH prior to playing the much larger venues they are frequenting these days. These spaces have brought local and touring acts into their homes and created a blossoming scene around them. The basement shows I’ve attended have primarily acted on a donation-based system, which one might feel would hinder the touring artist playing these spots. But when you’ve got a close-knit community that supports these house/basement ventures, its patrons are surprisingly more giving to provide [support].

So the next time the opportunity presents itself to you to see a basement/house show I highly suggest you venture to the space. While I won’t say you wouldn’t enjoy that same show at a bar/venue, I will say you may find yourself enjoying it more and creating a memory you’ll cherish forever.

Loren • December 15, 2013

Escapist Records
Escapist Records

Related features

Jumalvauhti

One Question Interviews • March 27, 2025

Kalle (Jumalvauhti – bass) SPB: Who is your favorite band/artist from the 2000-2010 era? Kalle: It's hard to say, but Destiny's Child definitely can't go wrong.  Read more

Bronson Arm

One Question Interviews • March 26, 2025

Black Bickel (Bronson Arm) SPB: What is your favorite stretch of highway to drive in the US? Bickel: My favorite stretch of highway is that bit between Milwaukee and Minneapolis, two cities that Bronson Arm always have a great time playing. So if we are leaving Milwaukee, we are usually … Read more

Unstable Shapes

One Question Interviews • March 25, 2025

Kevin Hurley (Unstable Shapes – bass) SPB: What is your favorite Fugazi record? Hurley: While we can debate the best Fugazi record, a personal favorite of mine is The Argument. It was my entry point for the band. I was admittedly way late to the party on them and as … Read more

Retirement

Bike Shop

Interviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • March 23, 2025

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we chat with … Read more

Let Me Downs

One Question Interviews • March 12, 2025

Paul Levesque (Let Me Downs - bass/vocals) SPB: Has the band ever been in a car/van accident while touring? Levesque: Fortunately, we haven’t! (Knock on wood) We have had our fair share of van issues. Blown tires, A/C going out in an hours-long traffic jam in the Arizona desert in … Read more

Related news

Foxfires releasing 7-inch on Escapist Records

Posted in Records on November 17, 2012

Sweet Weapons join Escapist Records

Posted in Labels on July 20, 2012

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

More from this section

Jumalvauhti

One Question Interviews • March 27, 2025

Kalle (Jumalvauhti – bass) SPB: Who is your favorite band/artist from the 2000-2010 era? Kalle: It's hard to say, but Destiny's Child definitely can't go wrong.  Read more

Bronson Arm

One Question Interviews • March 26, 2025

Black Bickel (Bronson Arm) SPB: What is your favorite stretch of highway to drive in the US? Bickel: My favorite stretch of highway is that bit between Milwaukee and Minneapolis, two cities that Bronson Arm always have a great time playing. So if we are leaving Milwaukee, we are usually … Read more

Unstable Shapes

One Question Interviews • March 25, 2025

Kevin Hurley (Unstable Shapes – bass) SPB: What is your favorite Fugazi record? Hurley: While we can debate the best Fugazi record, a personal favorite of mine is The Argument. It was my entry point for the band. I was admittedly way late to the party on them and as … Read more