Loud! Fast! Philly!

Jeff Fisher, Adam Goldstein, Chris Fry, and Bull Gervasi of Policy of 3/December 28, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Jeff Fisher, Chris Fry, Bull Gervasi, and Adam Goldstein of the band Policy of 3. Policy of 3 began as Matter of Fact in South Jersey in the late 1980s. By the early ’90s, they formalized their line-up, changed their name to Po3, and began developing their unique sound. While often categorized as an emo band (as in “emotional hardcore,” not the pseudo-sensitive boy music that was erroneously and pervasively termed emo a few years ago) both then and now, the band members have always been reluctant to embrace that categorization. Policy of 3 was a band that confronted political and social issues, unlike many bands termed emo. While the band’s presentation of these concerns was sometimes seen through the prism of personal and inward-looking lyrics, they sidestepped navel-gazing and made materials on social and political issues (including vegan/vegetarianism and animal rights) available at their gigs. As well, Po3 played many shows benefitting a variety of social/political activist groups. Over the course of their existence as a band, they did two full U.S. tours (once being paid an impressive $8.20 for playing a show) and a European tour on totally DIY and ethical terms. As well, they released two 7″s, an LP, and a CD collecting all of their material. As individuals, the four members of the band have retained a tremendously positive view of both their time in the band and the international hardcore punk scene they were active participants in. They remain friends and cherish what they did in the time they had together. Policy of 3 broke up in 1995, but the lessons learned, friends made, and experiences had while they were together played a significant role in shaping these four men into who they are today. This interview marked the first time the members of Po3 ever publicly or privately discussed their break-up, which each respective band member had ruminated over for nineteen years. For anyone who’s familiar with the band or who may be friends with any of the members, you may find the latter part of this interview to be very emotional. The air was very thick with feeling as each member talked about the band’s demise and what it meant to them. I’ve wanted to interview the Po3 since I started this project, but I didn’t think it would be possible to get all four members in the place due to where Jeff and Adam now live. The four had not been in the same place at the same time since 2005. I was thrilled to be able to talk to them and I’m very happy with the lengthy interview we achieved. For me, Policy of 3 personified what I loved (and still love) about the DIY punk scene. They were, and remain, inspiring and terribly earnest individuals.

Tony Van Veen/December 18, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Tony van Veen of the early- and mid-’80s hardcore punk bands Kremlin Korps and Homo Picnic. Tony grew up in Aruba and Holland moved to the Philadelphia to attend college at Penn. There he discovered the early ’80s Philly HC scene and soon became a member Kremlin Korps (which featured past L!F!P! interviewees Stacey Finney nee Gold and Rich Hoak) and later the absurdly-named Homo Picnic. It was the blasting fury of the band Y-DI that served as Tony’s introduction into the scene and it was thanks to hardcore that he developed a lifetime interest in the DIY culture and ethos. As Homo Picnic was winding down, Tony came to work for Disc Makers, who later partnered with CD Baby. These companies have allowed innumberable bands (as well as writers and filmmakers) to get their product pressed, packaged, and sent out into the world. Tony is now the CEO of Disc Makers. His love of DIY culture has fueled him all these years and his forward-thinking has allowed his company to adapt to the ever-changed demands of consumers as well as the radical changes in technology. Tony’s interview is good-natured and filled with insights into the music industry as well as the wild world of the Philly HC scene of yore.

Thomas “Vosco” Adams/December 16, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Thomas “Vosco” Adams of the band Ruin. In this interview we go deep into Vosco’s past. From growing up in a volatile and often violent family situation and foster homes, through juvenile deliquency, Vosco was headed down a self-destructive path before he discovered punk rock in the form of (at first) the Sex Pistols  and Buddhism. While issues with various substances at times sent Vosco down some dark cul-de-sacs, he also brought his angst and spiritual yearning into the band in the form of highly kinetic live performances. We talk about the early punk scene and later hardcore punk scenes in Philly, the wild world of drugs in the late ’70s and early ’80s, the formation of Ruin, the eventual demise of Ruin, and the surprising and welcome recent resurrection of the band in a the form of two inspired live events. We also talk about remaining vital and open to new music and life experiences (rather than living in the distant past) and using those experiences to put something positive into the world. This is one of the most candid and personal interviews in the series and should not be missed.