Loud! Fast! Philly!

Nancy Petriello Barile/August 1, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Nancy Petriello Barile about her involvement in the hardcore punk scene in Philadelphia in the early 1980s. Nancy was part of the initial wave of young people putting on totally DIY, all-ages shows. Along with some friends, she put one of the most (in)famous HC shows of all time: the Buff Hall show in Camden, NJ. At that show, a rasta in a stolen car smashed into the van of Boston’s SSD (a band fronted by Nancy’s future husband, Al) and hit Ian McKaye, who went to the hospital then returned to perform at the show. Nancy was at two of the biggest punk riots of the early ’80s (Black Flag and later Dead Kennedys at the original Starlight Ballroom in the rough Kensington neighborhood of Philly). As well, she co-founded Philly’s chapter of the BYO. Nancy is an award-winning teacher in Boston and credits her involvement in the punk scene for helping to make her the inspiring person she is today.

Stacey Finney nee Gold/July 6, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Stacey Finney nee Gold, singer of the early ’80s Philly hardcore band Kremlin Korps. Stacey was one of few woman singers in a punk band in Philly at the time. She grew up in a contentious household in a rough neighborhood in South Philly. Stacey was a very quiet child who went on to find a much-needed source of underground culture on the South Street of the 1970s and early ’80s. There she discovered punk and came to attend shows throughout the city and form her band Kremlin Korps with some folks who came to greater prominence later (including previous interview subject Rich Hoak). We talk about the place of women in punk at the time and how she carved out her own space in that male-oriented scene. Stacey has never grown out of her love of HC and, more importantly, has brought the ethos into her long-time work with at-risk kids. Stacey brings the compassion and power of the individual that’s stressed in some segments of the punk community into the world around her and has done a lot of good for people in need in the process. Stacey also manages to keep her Philly attitude in place despite no longer living in the city. She’s the same woman who clocked a skinhead girl on the head with a giant bag of candy corn given to her by Paul Bearer of the Serial Killers. It’s too bad you can’t see Stacey’s cheerful smile as we talk, but it comes through in the photos.

Michael McManus/July 3, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Michael McManus of the ’80s Philadelphia hardcore band Pagan Babies. They talk about Mike’s upbringing and discovery of punk; the early shows he went to at Love Hall, Abe’s Steaks, the Crypt, etc.; hanging out with Bob Mould and talking wrestling; forming the band and putting out an EP on Kevin Seconds’ Positive Force records and an LP on Hawker; almost playing wiffle ball with King Diamond (okay, not really); touring the US in a deadly-hot van; the demise and temporary resurrection of the band; playing with the hardcore band The Heels; playing the Ruin re-union show; and Mike’s abiding love of HC. Mike rules! Spend some time with him.

Billy Barton/July 3, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Billy Barton, who grew up on a farm and joined the USMC upon graduating high school. Billy served all around the world, including Kosovo. Billy wound up landing in Philadephia, where he was taken in by the West Philly scene and came to bring the “lead from the front” attitude he learned from the Marine Corps to putting on shows, playing in the bands Population Zero and The Charlie Few, putting out a ‘zine detailing how to put on DIY shows, and more. Billy has some interesting views on the Clintonian “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in place during his service and the military of today where that policy is no more. Billy’s get-to-it attitude and positivity make for an interview that’s both entertaining and inspiring.

Brian Sokel/June 25, 2013

Joseph A. Gervasi interviews Brian Sokel, who played in the Philadelphia band Random Children that later became Franklin. Also discussed is The Cabbage Collective, shows Brian put on at JC Dobbs, Adam/Atom Goren, ’90s emo, DC hardcore, Fracture, and more.