Andy Nelson (Paint It Black, Ceremony)
SPB: It seems that Philadelphia is consistently turning out new bands and rejuvenating the scene with new blood. What do you think keeps the scene active with new bands (and who are some of your current favorites)?
Nelson: Philadelphia is perhaps advantageously situated equidistant from two other major East Coast cities -- that festering toilet of lobbyism and that ersatz capital of the universe (out of kindness, I won't name either) -- and as such seems to attract a lot of youngsters who don't want to spend their lives having their souls crushed by proximity to government workers or slaving 16 hours a day to pay rent in a 40 sq. foot bedroom. The freedom one gains by choosing to live in Philadelphia yields the free time to play in multiple bands, tour, release music, etc. within a pulsating scene of DIY spaces that is constantly turning over, always on its toes. At the moment, I can count dozens of creative, hard working people actively engaged with seeing to it that nearly each night of the week there multiple spaces available to people for the exchange of music, energy and ideas, apart from bar or corporate culture. If that's not enough to keep you interested, then nothing will.
While not a new band, Radiator Hospital's debut LP has gotten more spins around the HQ than just about anything else this year and is, truly, wonderful. Bad Side will also make their vinyl debut this fall and it's as awesome as one would expect. Congenital Death continue to stun as a live act. Attitude Era are perfect. The magic of the Crutchfield sisters (Swearin' and Waxahatchee) has been well detailed in the mainstream press, proof that this world is not entirely without justice. Of course, those willing to venture outside the Golden Tea House will be delighted by Pissed Jeans, Kurt Vile, Watery Love, Purling Hiss, Hop Along...the list is thousands long.
