Loud! Fast! Philly!

Frank Blank Moriarty/September 9, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews longstanding member of the Philadelphia underground music community Frank Blank Moriarty. Frank takes his “Frank Blank” name from Brian Eno’s first solo album, Here Come the Warm Jets (1973). Frank grew up a rock kid, seeing Jimi Hendrix from the sixth row while standing on a chair beside a beautiful blonde hippie girl. Throughout the late ’60s and ’70s, Frank saw the greatest bands ever performing live in Philadelphia. In 1977 he heard the Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks LP and fell in love with them and the burgeoning punk scene, especially bands like The Ramones and The Clash, both of whom he saw early on in their careers. Frank tells a great story of meeting The Clash and how that got him playing guitar. From putting on shows at clubs in Philly in the late ’70s and early ’80s to playing with politically charged punk band Informed Sources, Frank was an enthusiastic member of the early DIY scene in this city. In later years, he went on to play and record in many styles of music, including a metal concept album about UFOs. Among many stories that will be of interest to L!F!P! listeners, you will hear Frank talk about two of Philly’s most infamous punk riots: the Black Flag and Dead Kennedys shows. Recently he played guitar on “White Rabbit” during the two Ruin reunion shows. Frank writes non-fiction books about rock music, NASCAR, and other subjects. Frank’s a man of great cheer and vitality, which makes this 91 minutes an absolute pleasure to listen to. As well, Frank gains extra points by not only never adopting the “Year Zero” mentality that some punks put on, but he also admits to loving progressive rock, a favorite form of music of your humble interviewer. (Addendum: Frank has provided some notes on his interview in the blog section of this site. The direct link is here.)

Frank Blank Moriarty’s Music Including Informed Sources

Jesse Townley aka Jesse Luscious/August 31,2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Philadelphia ex-pat Jesse Townley, aka Jesse Luscious. Jesse grew up in the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia. Upon discovering HC punk, he fully immersed himself in the mid-/late-’80s scene. He founded Philly Zine and moved to a squat at 51st and Baltimore in West Philly. By the late ’80s he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he sang for acclaimed (and often chaotic) bands such as Blatz, The Gr’ups, The Criminals, and The Frisk. He’s also an elected member of the Berkeley Rent Board, a member of the Green Party, he runs the Alternative Tentacles Records label just under owner Jello Biafra, and he works with the disabled. We talk about the Philly scene of the last ’80s and Jesse’s abiding love for the city, terrorizing sensitive liberals during the few months he was in college, why he moved to the Bay Area, managing a CT skinhead band, working for Lookout! Records, writing the chaos punk/crusty anthem “Fuck Shit Up” with Blatz, on-stage mutilation with a razor at a Fugazi show, working at Alternative Tentacles, Jesse’s lifelong love of punk, and a great deal more. We are joined by past interview subject Stacey Finney nee Gold, who contributes to the interview. This is one of the longest interviews of the series and one of the very best.

Elizabeth Arnold/August 23, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews anti-fracking and social justice activist Elizabeth Arnold. We talk about her upbringing in different areas of the country and how she began to see social and economomic inequalities at young age. Observation lead to reaction as early as her pre-teen years. From a seminal protest in Minnesota, Elizabeth took the lessons learned forward into a very active life of fighting for causes she believes in (most especially, at present, the anti-fracking movement).  Elizabeth discusses how she’s managed to travel to so many countries with no money (hint: don’t spend your money!). I ask about providing positive, engaged role models for girls and young women in both activism and traditionally male-dominated skilled worker jobs (Elizabeth is an electrician). We also talk about punk for about 30 seconds. Elizabeth thrums with charisma and enthusiasm. This interview comes recommended to those who want to spend some time with a woman fully engaged with — and at times against — her times.

Dan Yemin/August 20, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Dan Yemin of the bands Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, and Paint It Black as well as others. Dan didn’t grow up in Philadelphia, but he’s lived here for 21 years. Dan’s played in three very popular bands and, into his forties, retains a tremendous enthusiasm for music and life. His devotion to the DIY ethos is still firmly in place. We talk about his upbringing surrounded by books in North Jersey in the ’70s and early ’80s, his early love of music beginning with hard rock, his discovery of punk through bands like The Clash in the early ’80s, his political and social aweness as well as veganism, playing in bands, seeing shows in dodgy places like City Gardens in Trenton, being inspired by the DIY ethos in the ’90s at the Jon Hiltz and Cabbage Collective shows and with bands such as Universal Order of Armageddon and John Henry West, the state of basement shows in Philly today, raising children, and scores of other subjects. Dan’s enthusiasm and positivity shine through in this interview.

Addendum: The black-and-white photo was taken by Karen Kirchhoff in May 2014, the better part of a year after this interview was conducted. She took this photo so Dan could be included in her photo show at the Grindcore House begining on June 6, 2014.

Mark Scott/August 7, 2013

Mark Scott grew up in a wealthy Christian family, firmly isolated from the harsh reality of life outside his palatial home and private school. Then he was infected with the germ of punk. Already questioning the beliefs he was subjected to as a chlid, punk only served to open young Mark’s mind to a world of compassion and action. He went on to play in one of the most popular Phillly pop-punk bands of the 1990s, Fracture. He also went through a “wild stage,” which we discuss. Years later, Mark now teaches in a Philadelphia public school to young people who’ve grown up poverty. The lessons of caring and compassion that were honed by punk still play a role in how Mark relates to his students (who truly love him). Far removed from his upbringing, Mark brings something positive and nurturing to his family and students. His gregarious enthusiasm shines through this interview. (Sadly, while we discussed it before the interview, we never got around to talking about how — at a show many years ago — a drunken dimwit mistook him for someone else and knocked him cold, beat him about the head, and then curbjawed Mark, leaving him with his jaw wired shut.)