Issue 6 – Pg. 2
Intro:
We’ve reached our 6th Issue. Damn time’s flying by. We’ve already hit a year. Music seems to be a big influence on this issue. We’re branching out some with a little bit of Metal/Metalcore (check the cover). We definitely won’t forget the bmxers. I’ve been shooting like crazy and have tons of photos for the photo section. Unlike Issue 5, this one will dive a little deeper into where I’m at in my life. I’ve gone through a lot since the beginning of the summer and honestly feel I’ve grown as a person because of it. In this issue I hope you see I’m more passionate about riding, music, photography, and everything that is really important to me. I’ve learned that friendship and your loved ones are what really matters. They’ll pick you up when you hit your low points and will be there to help you enjoy your good times. I’m dedicating this issue to Audra. Even though she helps me with it, I don’t think I would have made it through this summer without her.
In this issue we find a few interviews from a few and very different bands, some article I’ve written about things I’ve noticed about life, plenty of photos for those that want to just flip through, an interview with one of Indy’s best riders, and some other random shit. Hope you enjoy it. Alan
Issue 6 – Pg. 3
Content:
Josh Phillips huge table air at Connersville Photo: Alan Sternberg
Intro: Interview: Josh Phillips Fresh Ink: Interview: Consume the Eyes Interview: Peacocks Pg. 15 So You Think You’re Normal Interview: The Terribles Growing Up Interview: Grodees Burn Your Flag Photos: Reviews:
Pg. 2 Pg. 5 Pg. 8 Pg. 11
Pg. 19 Pg. 20 Pg. 27 Pg. 29 Pg. 33 Pg. 34 Pg. 45
All material is written by, edited by, or is submitted to Punks on Bikes Fanzine.
(©2007, punksonbikes.com)
If you would like to contribute, contact Punks on Bikes at http://punksonbikes.com/contact.html
Issue 6 – Pg. 5
Josh Phillips Interview:
by: Alan Sternberg
PoB: First off: name, age, hometown, etc... Josh: Josh Phillips, Avon, IN PoB: How long have you been riding? Josh: Around 6 years. PoB: I've noticed you started riding brakeless, what prompted the switch from brakes to no brakes? Josh: Cause I’m trendy, no, I just got bored doing the same stuff so I was gonna take them off for a little bit. Then I learned brakeless fufs and whip tail taps so I decided to keep them off. PoB: You're one of those guys that seem to learn shit really fast and seem to be really motivated to learn new tricks. What helps you stay focused and motivated? Josh: I like being scared, so I push myself. PoB: Who influences you as a rider and who influences you as a person? Josh: Jeremiah Smith is incredible to watch and super cool. I try not to be influenced by others when it comes to my personality. PoB: Who do you ride with regularly? Josh: Mullen, he’s like my personal filmer. I have a line and call him up to shoot it. The Greencastle kids quite often as well. PoB: Favorite place to ride?
Issue 6 – Pg. 6 Josh: The Flow probably and the surrounding Ohio State Campus street spots.
PoB: Are you getting any support from any companies or do you push yourself for the love of it? Josh: Nope all me baby, i was on the UV bike team but that was just a buddy thing. It would be nice but I’m not too worried about it. PoB: Favorite pro and local rider to watch? Josh: Jeremiah. Nick Summerlot from Greencastle, style for miles. PoB: I know you do a lot of whip tricks. Are tailwhips your favorite trick? If not, what is? Josh: Whips are probably my constant favorite trick and I usually have one other that I will love for a while too. Right now it’s wallride to 180s on everything. PoB: What do you want to accomplish on a bike? Josh: Get rich. No, just have fun and not get too hurt. PoB: After riding, what do you see yourself doing? Josh: I have no idea. I’d like to be an engineer. PoB: Do you ride to music or do you like to talk to those you ride with? Josh: I like to ride to rap at parks but on street I just talk
Issue 6 – Pg. 7
PoB: What kind of Music do you listen too? Josh: A little bit of everything: hardcore, pop, punk, rock, rap a lot actually. PoB: What's more important to you, style or tricks? Josh: Style, but I like tricks with style even more. PoB: What's the deal with the Indy tattoo? Is it a, know your roots thing? Josh: Yeah sort of, just gotta remember where you're from ya know. PoB: What's one message you'd like to tell people reading this? Josh: Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts on riding. PoB: Thanks or last words? Josh: Go have fun on your bike.
All photos shot by Alan Sternberg at Connersville skatepark
Issue 6 – Pg. 8
Fresh Ink:
by: Joel Janiszyn
At this time last year I was in college studying to become a graphic designer. Fast forward a year from then to the present and here I am, a professional tattoo artist with my own room at one of the most recognized and celebrated tattoo studios in Indiana...what happened!?
Let me start off and give some personal art history. I've drawn and done art in general since before I could read. I've always loved it, it just seemed to happen naturally for me. Give me a pen and some paper and I could draw for hours.
My love for art never died and like most things someone decides to "stick with" they only progress and get better.
Anyways, rather than giving everyone a detailed look into "how my drawing has progressed in the last 18 or so years" I'll make this basic and to the point.
I took advanced art classes all through high school and did exceptionally well (for high school art class standards anyway). After high school I wasn't sure what I wanted to do so I took a year or two off, worked as a pizza guy, and decided to go back to school to become a graphic designer.
Now, this is where I'd like to explain everything with a little more detail.
Of course I wanted to go to school for art, but didn't have the desire to be cooped up in a dorm room or shitty apartment for the next 4 years while taking art classes and even more classes for things I had no desire to participate in. I decided I'd go to an accelerated business college in Fort Wayne to get a degree in graphic design and go
Issue 6 – Pg. 9 on my way afterwards doing what a graphic designer does. But, like so many things in life, it turned out not to be exactly what I had in mind. While I was aware that the vast majority of graphic design work was done on a computer, it really lacked the drawing, painting, fine art feel that I longed for. Anyways to make this short, a couple years later I graduated with an associate’s degree in graphic design and was on the job hunt. Hunting for a job where i could do something somewhat creative, designing graphics for t‐shirts and etc.
I should also make a point that it was at the beginning of my college career that I became interested in tattoos. With all my extra time and built up frustration for not being able to draw what I wanted, I would draw all the time, many of those designs I drew managing to become tattooed into my flesh.
At the beginning of my tattoo phase, I was told about a tattoo studio in my hometown (that I had never heard of) called Life Force Studios by a girl from college (now my girlfriend). She had several tattoos and recommended them whole‐heartedly. I visited the studio a few days later and everything was what I had ever wanted in a tattoo studio, clean friendly personnel (and at this point in time, the studio was run by only the two owners, Jak and Josh). I went and got my first tattoo from Life Force which was a bicycle chain wrapping around my forearm. I hit it off instantly with the two owners and became good friends with them. Before I knew it, I was in the studio every week, if not getting work then just hanging out and joking with Jak and Josh.
Anyways fast forward a year later. I now pretty much had a sleeve and was still having work done regularly. It was at this time that Life Force had gone and hired an artist or two, some counter help, and an apprentice, none of which worked out and it was back to Jak, Josh, and their permanent counter person.
They had been looking for a full time artist for a few months by this time and still had no success in finding some one. One night in the basement, me and Josh were talking over a cigarette and he jokingly asked "so when are you going to start doing tattoos?" I had some smart ass reply I'm sure and went home later that night. But what he said really drilled itself into my brain. "Is there any way I could possibly become a tattoo artist? Do I have what it takes?" My girlfriend and best friend really persuaded me into having a meeting with Jak to discuss perhaps becoming an apprentice. After talking to Jak, I was surprised to hear him finish the phone call with "I think it would work out really well, I'll see you next week". I felt so privileged words couldn't describe.
So there I was, I had become an apprentice. If you know anything about a tattoo apprenticeship, you know that getting an apprenticeship in the first place is next to impossible. You really have to be at the right place at the right time. I was thrilled to have this opportunity.
While getting an apprenticeship is amazing, it's even more amazing to know that one day you'll be doing art on people’s flesh, a job that many people dream about. But tattooing was a long way down the road. There's a lot of work in an apprenticeship that people aren't aware of.
Issue 6 – Pg. 10 Before you ever even hold a tattoo machine in your hands, you're building up "sweat equity" which means you're working for free in exchange for their guidance and teaching. I was painting walls, floors, and trim, everything that needed a new coat of paint. I was sweeping floors, washing windows, tracing flash, cleaning and sterilizing tools daily. It sounds kind of crummy (and it was) but what you don't realize at the time is that everything was a lesson. Painting could teach you to be patient and pay close attention to detail, tracing drawings taught "muscle memory" and to keep lines smooth and flowing, cleaning tools taught me everything that it takes to keep equipment clean and safe. After months and months of cleaning and painting I learned things geared more towards tattooing itself. I learned how tattoo machines worked, I learned how to draw flash and what designs would work and which ones would not. I tattooed melons for a month or so and before I knew it, I was handed a new machine and was asked to do my first tattoo, a hello kitty on Jak's hip!
Everything has only progressed from there. Tattooing is an art (like most arts) that you can never have completely mastered. There are always new techniques, and ways of doing things, it's a never ending learning process but I like that.
The thing that really hooked me about tattooing was that it was so different than graphic design. Instead of arranging text in a newspaper, I am drawing designs, tattooing designs, and am connected to art more intensely than I had ever hoped.
I am honored to be a part of the Life Force family and honored to be considered a professional tattoo artist. I couldn't consider doing anything different now.
I'd like to thank Jak and Josh for giving me this opportunity to begin with and helping me out and teaching me along the way, Meagan for being encouraging the entire time, Meagan and Trevor for kicking my ass into actually trying to get an apprenticeship, all my family and friends who have supported me and encouraged me, and all the people who have helped me out by coming and letting me tattoo them, that means a lot.
Thanks again everyone mentioned and everyone who I will have the chance to meet and work on in the up‐coming years. Life Force Studios (765) 662‐0511 www.myspace.com/lifeforcestudios
Issue 6 – Pg. 11
Consume the Eyes Interview:
by: Audra Beeman
PoB: Will you please introduce yourselves. CtE: We are Consume the Eyes. Ryan Townsend (Vocals) Jacob Harrison (guitar) Jared Harrison (Bass) Kyle Moon (guitar) and Zach Livesay (Drums) PoB: Where are you all from? CtE: Everyone is from Anderson except Zach which is from Pendleton. PoB: How did you come up with the name “Consume the Eyes”? CtE: It came from the bible verse “Leviticus 26:16” PoB: What genre would you classify yourselves as? CtE: Metal Hardcore PoB: To you, what is the difference between “Metal”, “Hardcore,” and “Screamo”? CtE: Hardcore is overcoming things in life, Screamo is softer but with the aggression and Metal is everything that is Rebel. PoB: What do each of you bring to the band?
Issue 6 – Pg. 12 CtE: (Jared) Maturity and experience. (Jacob) Positive outlook unless I am pissed [haha] (Ryan) laughs. (Zach) Comic Relief. (Kyle) Drill Sergeant [everyone laugh] PoB: You have had a few line up changes, what makes this one work? CtE: With the new Drummer we can reach all the music aspects we want without just sticking to just one thing. We can just be ourselves and get creative. Plus it was the original line up anyway.
PoB: To me at least, it seems you got your name out there pretty quick. How did you manage that? CtE: We messaged everybody we could. We just forced ourselves down people throats. We hopped on shows at the last min. without permission sometimes. We would never turn down shows no matter the crowd. One time we played for 6 kids, didn’t get paid but we still did it.
Issue 6 – Pg. 13 PoB: What are some of your favorite local bands to play with? CtE: Pay Your Dues, Only When I Burn and Amarna Ragn are a few. PoB: What are some of your influences to write your lyrics? CtE: (Ryan) Struggles in life and with over coming things. We want to help people over come things they might have happening. PoB: What would you say sets you apart from other bands that you might be compared to? CtE: We have a black singer (laughs) For real though; we just don’t try to sound like other bands. We try to write and play music that is true and people can relate to. PoB: What are some projects that you have lined up or are working on? CtE: Currently we are in the studio working on a 6 song CD [Alan laughs EP you mean] It will be called “Doesn’t Matter Who You Were” PoB: Where do you see “Consume The Eyes” in a year? CtE: BROKE [laughs] hopefully on the Road touring. PoB: Where can people reach you at? CtE: www.myspace.com/consumetheeyes
Issue 6 – Pg. 14
PoB: Thanks, last words etc…. CtE: “I am trying not to poop (says Ryan) and Thanks for interviewing us. PoB: Lastly, This one is for you Ryan, have you ever “Pimped anyone’s ride”? CtE: [everyone laughs] I tried once but I messed it up.
Issue 6 – Pg. 15
Interview: Simon from The Peacock by: Audra Beeman PoB: Will you please introduce yourselve(s)? Peacocks: We're The Peacocks from Switzerland. Me, Simon, is answering the questions. I play upright bass in the band. You can find our bio on http://www.thepeacocks.ch
Issue 6 – Pg. 16 PoB: Where are you from? Simon: Switzerland PoB: How did you get your start? Simon: We bought instruments and started to play. PoB: How did you get the name? Simon: There was a need for a name for the first show and that was a cool sounding one that came in our mind. We thought we can change the name later for a better one. But now it's too late, but it's not so bad anyway. PoB: What genre would you say you were? Simon: PunkRockabilly. Sometimes more Punk with upright bass, sometimes more Rockabilly. Some people call it Psychobilly. PoB: What sticks out in your mind as being a breaking moment for the band? Simon: The release of the second album. First shows with sold out venues and everybody was dancing. PoB: How many years have you been in a band together? Simon: 17 years PoB: Where is your favorite place to play? Simon: On a stage in a 200 cap. club PoB: What are you listening to right now? Simon: I'm on the computer right now, without music. PoB: Are you signed with a label if not do you plan to?
Issue 6 – Pg. 18
Simon: We never signed with labels so far, even some labels made records for us (Asian Man Records, Household Name Records, Crazy Love Records,...). Now we’ll probably sign with People Like You Records. PoB: How has music changed your life? Simon: I quit University for the band. It's the only thing I wanna do. Now, I'm without education in a little band with no money. But I mostly like what I do. PoB: How many albums do you have out? Simon:: 4-6 PoB: How many shows would you say you have played? Simon: About 600 PoB: What is your favorite thing about being in a band? Simon: Making music that rocks PoB: What made you decide you wanted to be in a band? Peacocks: Making music that rocks. PoB: How did you meet your band members? Simon: The bandleader, Hasu, is my brother. The drummer, Jürg, asked us to join, when we needed a new drummer. PoB: Where do you see The Peacocks in 5 years? Simon: We're retired, because we have to go to work to earn some money for living. Maybe we play about 20 shows a year, but not much touring anymore. Maybe it's still the same, tough! PoB: I love the way you guys sound, how would you describe that sound to someone that has never heard you? Simon: It's Pop-punk with an upright bass, which gives a Rockabilly flair. PoB: What sets you apart from any other band? Simon: We have our own style and have good songs and are a fantastic live band .-) PoB: How can people reach you guys? Simon: via http://www.thepeacocks.ch or http://www.myspace.com/itstimeforthepeacocks Cheers....Simon
Issue 6 – Pg. 19
And You Think You’re Normal: Audra Beeman Have you ever wondered why being “Different” is not really accepted in today’s society? A person ranging from having disabilities to being tatted and pierced up is looked at as not being “normal”. What is “normal” Having a great paying job, loving family, and a nice car? I have come across many families that fit the “story book family” and their dads have either cheated on their mom or they are getting a divorce. The mom is working so many hours that they can only see their kids when they are struggling to throw a dinner together last min. How can you look at someone that has a strong passion for art and wants to show everybody what they love and see a freak? I don’t know how many times I have gone somewhere with my jacket on, my jet black hair done up, piercings in, black eyeliner covering my eyes, and I hand someone money from something I bought and watch their eyes move to my tatted wrist and just stare at me with dismay. We are living in 2007 and people still look at Alan and me with Culture Shock. They almost refuse to believe that people have changed from being poodle skirt, tie wearing goody too shoes. We are taught that it doesn’t matter the color of your skin or the clothes on your back. Then why when people have colorful skin and homemade jackets they are thought to be drug addicts, thieves, junkies, poor, scum, freaks and all the other words you have heard? Look at Elvis, and how he was “Riske” and considered sinful because of how he shook his hips. Now people call him the “King” and want to impersonate him. In all reality he was a hooked on a ton of drugs, hit his wife, and cheated on her, hell he even died because he had taken so many drugs that day. Wow that’s someone that is really a role model huh? Yet someone who wants to carry a picture of their dad or something that means a lot to them on their arm is living in sin. I have heard people say that God wants you to treat your body as a temple therefore that’s why tattoos and piercings are wrong. I don’t know about all of you but a temple is somewhere you go and worship something and I can do that inside my body. It has nothing to do with your outside skin. What about police officers and firemen? They get put their “temple” in danger almost everyday yet they are considered heroes. A bullet wound scares and damages the skin just like a tattoo and piercing. Look at all the technology we have today. The world is booming with new things everyday. People are getting smarter and more creative so why wouldn’t you expect the ideal appearance to change.
Issue 6 – Pg. 20
The Terribles Interview: Sternberg
Alan
POB: First off, tell everyone who you are, how old you are, hometown, etc... Elliott: I'm the Guitarist, I'm 25 and I'm from Philly PA. Bon: Well I'm Bon. I'm 21 and a better singer than Elliott. I'm also from the Philly area. Tom: I'm The Reverend Terrible Tom Waste, the permanent fill‐in bassist and vocalist extraordinaire. I'm 102 and I am from my mother's womb. However, I spent time in the ghetto's of daddy's balls. POB: Who plays what? Tom: Bass / Vocals / Jaw Harp / Guitar / Beer / Alcohol / Women Elliott: Guitar / Vocals / Piano / Fiddle / Skin Flute / Whiskey / My wife Bon: Drums and percussion / Vocals / Cowbell / Whiskey / Pirate Lord / Ultimate Frisbee / Elliott's Wife... Tom: Oh yea, I play her too. POB: What's the scene like in PA? Tom: The other day I saw a fox and I chased after it. Elliott: I think the scene sucks in Philly. That’s why we travel. Bon: Yea sure, what they said.
Issue 6 – Pg. 21 POB: I personally love your sound. What bands have influenced you as a band? Tom: The Richless, American Waste, should I name them all? Elliott: Ya know what, The Richless has influenced me! Tom: Clint Liquor, DWI, Vaginal Discharge aka VD Elliott: Johnny Cash Tom: Who? Elliott: Jonathan R Cash. Tom: CB4, 2gether Elliott: 98 Degrees and the Backstreet Boys. Oh and Ricky Martin. But seriously... Tom: Black Flag, Misfits, Ramones, look up rock and roll 101 and you'll find the rest... Motorhead. Bon: Metallica, Godsmack, Rob Zombie, Motorhead, Motley Crue, GN'R, so on and yadda yadda Elliott: Umm.. Muddy Waters, Lead Belly, David Allen Coe, Stevie Ray Vaughn. Tom: Biggest influence on guitar Ralph Macchio in Cross Roads. Elliott: Mine was Daisy Berkowitz from Marilyn Manson. Bon: My biggest influence on the drums was Tommy Stewart of Godsmack.
POB: You're obviously a punk band. In your opinion, what is punk rock? Tom: A sub‐genre of music Elliott: Rock and roll without the talent Tom: What I grew up on Bon: The type of music I couldn't stand seeing the other bands in high school play
POB: You just released a debut album. What was the inspiration behind it? Elliott: Well since I wrote most of it, I'd have to say my biggest influence for the album was touring for a solo album and being piss drunk in Detroit sitting in a $30 hotel room on the fabled 8‐mile. Tom: My influence was agreeing to fill in on bass. Possibly the worst mistake I ever made. Bon: A broken mood ring that was stuck on black. Oh and the girl who wore it I would have to say.
POB: How'd the Terribles come about? Elliott: Well, I needed a backup band to play a bunch of songs I'd written while I was touring for my last solo album. I was looking for a bass player and I asked the bass player from the Richless if he wanted to jump on, but he said no.
Issue 6 – Pg. 22
Tom: I was sitting next to the ex‐bass player and so I jumped in on the conversation while I was extremely drunk and volunteered to do it. Elliott: I said okay, and so I stumbled home and happened upon Bon getting a massage from my brother. Bon: First of all, Elliott you're a filthy whore. Secondly, it was the best massage I've ever had. He's a real pro. Anyway that's a story for another time. So I'm in Elliott's house getting said massage and Elliott comes stumbling through his front door completely smashed. I don't even know how he slurred a coherent train of thought, but he says "Hey... you play drums! I wrote album... wanna be in a band?" So I say sure and stared at him blankly for the next hour while he repeated himself again and again. He went upstairs, passed out, and I finished up my massage and went home. No happy ending! No Tip! haha Anyway, three weeks later we're in my basement working on our first songs together. Four weeks later Tom shows up... drunk... Very drunk. POB: I think the acoustic songs on Banned For Life are great because it shows maturity. Was that a goal? Tom: Personally I did not know about these songs until I was asked to sing on one of them. Elliott: Bon strong‐armed himself onto Devil. He said "I'm singing on this" and I said okay.
Issue 6 – Pg. 23 Bon: Yep, sounds about right. Although Elliott didn't do it the way I wanted to do it so I think it could have turned out better if of course it was done my way. lol Elliott: The acoustic songs were just kind of a carry over from the solo stuff and they just became part of our presence as a band. Tom: Going back to the influences... Vanilla Ice. Word to ya mutha'. Bon: Like Elliott said, he had his solo acoustic songs from his solo projects and I liked some of them. From there we agreed to transpose some of those into "Terribles songs" and in turn left some as straight acoustic tunes and put them on the album. In fact you may or may not hear one or two acoustic tracks on the next album.
POB: What do you think of pop cultures' take on punk rock and the whole indie scene? Tom: Where's my money?! Bon: Oh boy you've opened up a whole can or worms on this one. I've never been a fan of pop culture's punk. Most of it just annoys the living crap out of me. The guys apparently need to have the tight jeans that they stole from their younger sister in order to play music. I see it this way. When music can be the worst sounding dieing cat thing you've ever experienced and yet it will gain recognition and a solid following because a band calls themselves a punk band and because they spend more money on one ridiculous looking outfit (to be worn over and over every day of the week) than any person would spend on a brand new car, I think there is a serious problem there. It's definitely ass backwards when that is what determines a real punk rocker. The music should be the determining factor of what's punk, not the fashion. Elliott: I'm not particularly a big fan of it. I think anybody who buys a pair of jeans with holes in them at double the price when I can buy a whole pair of jeans for half the price and when mohawks and lip rings are on three year olds, it's out of hand. This shit just makes me sick. Tom: I'm too poor to afford to LOOK punk rock.
POB: Are you planning a tour to promote the new album? Elliott: YES! Book us! We'll play anywhere, anytime, just pay us and feed us beer. Bon: Elliott you're a whore. Tom: I agree with them both.
POB: I've heard you have a really good live how. Are the Terribles best live? Elliott: Absolutely Bon: So I've been told. Tom: I've never seen us live.
Issue 6 – Pg. 24 Bon: That's cause he's been too obliterated to play half the songs, let alone remember the show. Tom: Only the ones I wrote. Elliott: And the ones that we've practiced the most. Tom: So what's your point? Grab me a beer. [Elliott hands Tom a beer] [Bon shakes his head... then takes one as well]
POB: What's your hope for the future of the band? Tom: Hip Hop Elliott: Do it as a job. I'm not saying be famous. Just pay my mortgage. Tom: My hope is to be alive in the future to be able to play in the future. Bon: I just don't want to have a day job that I actually need anymore. If I can play music and live off of that, I'll have no complaints with it.
POB: Where's the best place you've ever played? Tom: Whoever, wherever you are insert generic town name here. Book us! Or is it whomever? Hmm. Elliott: Full Moon Saloon in Baltimore. One of the greatest nights of my life. Bon: That place that we played way back at that one time. Remember? Elliott: Oh Yeah! Bon: Yeah the place with the people who were doing all that stuff and saying those words. Yeah, that was a good night when the things happened and everybody ended up chanting "Terribles!" and made us come out and do an encore. Yeah... Good times! Good times.
Issue 6 – Pg. 26
POB: How can people get a hold of the band? Tom: With their hands. Elliott: We have websites. In fact: http://www/theterribles.net http://www.myspace.com/theterribles Bon: I like Tom's idea; Grab me. *Disclaimer* Ladies only. *Disclaimer Disclaimer* Please don't, my girlfriend would kill you... and me. *Disclaimer Disclaimer Disclaimer* Or just make sure she doesn't find out. *Disclaimer Disclaimer Disclaimer Disclaimer* I'm just kidding baby. This was for you. Please don't hurt me, haha! *Wink*
POB: Thanks or last words? Elliott: Visit theterribles.net and buy our album. Thats not asking for too much is it? Bon: So Tom... How was your sammich? Tom: It was fucking incredible. How was yours? Bon: Mine was amazing. Hey Elliott how was your food? Elliott: Fuck you guys! Tom: P.S... To answer the quesion: Zygote.
Issue 6 – Pg. 27
Growing Up:
Alan
Sternberg
It’s funny how things change when you grow up. One day you’ve got everything and you do what you think you want and the next, you’re working all the time just to get by. You try to do what’s best but you miss out on all the things you want to do. In the past two months, I’ve missed out on a ton of things that I’ve wanted to do so bad. I’ve grown away from my friends and family but wish desperately to get back to where I once was. I just realized I haven’t been to a punk show in seven months. There was a period where I only was riding my bike once or twice a month. So what’s really changed? School takes up less time than it did in High School. I work a lot but it’s seasonal (thus I’m poor 6 months out of the year). So when I don’t have school and I don’t have work, what’s keeping me from having fun? Maturity is the only thing I can think of. I decided not to go to Washington (even though I already had a plain ticket) because I knew I couldn’t pay bills after I got back. I fucking hate it. I hate that I can’t be care free anymore. I’m pissed I can’t ride my bike like I want to. I’ve missed a hundred good shows because I can’t bring myself to ask off a day of work. So where does that leave me now? I’m 20 years old but I feel like I’m 40. I enjoy my job (as a sauté cook) but I can’t wait to get out of school. I can’t wait to get paid to do what I do in my free time (taking photos). I guess it’s not all bad though. I still get to ride, take pictures, have money (most of the time), and have an awesome girlfriend that’s really been there for me when I need it. Sure there are tons of things I want to do still and hopefully I’ll have a chance to fulfill a lot of those dreams.
Issue 6 – Pg. 29
Grodees Interview:
by: Audra Beeman
PoB: Will you please introduce yourselves? Grodees: Ryan, Gregg, Billy, Chris, Dan PoB: Where are you guys from? Grodees: Rushville, IN PoB: How did you get the name? Grodees: Gregg has been called Grody for as long as I can remember. Where that came from, I don't know, but we all know him as that. Hence the name. PoB: What genre would you say you were? Grodees: Whatever you want to call it. Punk, Junk Rock, Rock 'n' Roll, or whatever. PoB: What sticks out in your mind as being a breaking moment for the band? Grodees: When we knew it was coming together and made it through The Battle of The Bands in Hickville (Rushville). PoB: How long have you been in a band together? Grodees: I have to count on my fingers for the years. It would be about 4 months.
Issue 6 – Pg. 30
PoB: Where is your favorite place to play? Grodees: Anywhere. PoB: What are you listening to right now? Grodees: Eerie Von.
PoB: Are you signed with a label if not do you plan to? Grodees: No, we are not signed. If we do, that would be cool, but most of us have family commitments. PoB: How has music changed your life? Grodees: That's what we live for. We have listened to hardcore, punk, metal, thrash, death, pop, and everything else. PoB: How many albums do you have out? Grodees: Zero. We just started playing in February. PoB: How many shows would you say you have played? Grodees: Two so far, with more scheduled. PoB: What’s the craziest thing you have experienced being in a band. Grodees: A band member being threatened to get their ass kicked while on stage. Drunk chicks who don't remember what they said the next day or what they were gonna do that night.
Issue 6 – Pg. 31
PoB: What is your favorite thing about being in a band? Grodees: Having fun. Putting smiles on people's faces that wanna slam in the pit. PoB: What made you decide you wanted to be in a band? Grodees: We all love music. PoB: How did you meet your band members? Grodees: I have known Chris and Gregg since high school and they all asked me to join this band. Then once I joined the band, I met Dan and Billy. They are the coolest, down to earth guys you would ever want to know. PoB: Where do you see The Grodees in 5 years? Grodees: Having fun, drinking beer, and taking care of the things that matter. Being friends, like always. PoB: I love the way you guys sound, how would you describe that sound to someone that has never heard you? Grodees: Be ready for a surprise, punk, fun, and just let it go. PoB: What sets you apart from any other band? Grodees: I think we have more fun than anybody out there because we enjoy it and love seeing people having fun listening to our music. PoB: How can people reach you guys? Grodees: MySpace, The Grodees. PoB: Anything else you would like to say? Grodees: If you're not having fun, it's not worth it. Listen to The Grodees.
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Burn Your Flag:
by: Alan Sternberg
This is becoming somewhat of a growing concern for me. Did you know that in Indiana, it is illegal to burn a flag? However, according to the US Bill of Rights, flag burning is protected under the First Amendment. So why does this happen? How and why can a state create a law that impedes on your Constitutional rights? There are people in this country that treat the flag as if it’s a religious symbol. People are willing to die for it and treat it better then they treat some people. So what’s the point? The point it there are legislators that are trying to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting the burning of flags. So maybe you’re against flag burning. It doesn’t matter, once the government starts to take away your rights, it’s a slippery slope. The Patriot Act already takes away your rights to Due Process. So does a grand jury. This should alarm you. Now back to the point at hand. The way an amendment is passed, ¾ of the states have to ratify it. Another one of my main concerns is that even if the flag is treated as a religious symbol, the government is supposed to be separate from religion. The shear thought is appalling to me. So what are we going to do about it. The government doesn’t have our best interests at heart. Legislators have the lobbyist’s best interest at heart. They only care enough about John Doe enough to get a vote. I think it’s funny that Americans will get behind a clear violation of their rights when it deals with flag burning but the idea of universal health coverage is shot down by officials saying it’s a Communist idea. So they won’t touch free trade (yet) but free speech, probably the single most important right that we have, is just being tossed aside. So I dear you, burn your flags. Fight the system and get state laws changed. Protect your rights while you still have them!
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Photos:
David Grant quick hop to hop Photo: Alan Sternberg
Alan Sternberg bank whip Photo: David Grant
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Nick Carunchia 10 set 360 in New Castle Photo: Alan Sternberg
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Alan Sternberg invert at Joel’s house Photo: Audra Beeman
Kole Grove dipped 360 in Greenwood Photo: David Grant
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Muncie Mike floats a table at the Greenway Trails Photo: Alan Sternberg
David Grant rail feeble 180 Photo: Alan Sternberg
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Alan Sternberg wall ride to table in Marion Photo: David Grant
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David Grant huge ledge ride to rail hop at the RCA Dome Photo: Alan Sternberg
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Pat Anderson turndown at the Greenway Trails Photo: David Grant
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Junar Gwinn ledge manual in Anderson Photo: Alan Sternberg
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Alan Sternberg long up feeble Photo: David Grant
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Nick Carunchia big hop to barspin in Muncie Photo: Alan Sternberg
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Reviews:
Sly singing for the Mediocres during their last show Photo: Alan Sternberg
American Hardcore (Movie) by: Alan Sternberg This movie was awesome. I've been waiting a long time to see it. I can't say the film was as good as the book but with lots of mini‐interviews and lots of live clips, this film doesn't disappoint. The only real negative thing I could say was it doesn't touch any on the Dead Kennedys. DK was such a major part of the scene that I couldn't believe a band like that wouldn't get any real mention. That aside, the film does seem to hit most of the major bases and really helps to define the movement. Watch the movie and read the book. Both are amazing. 9/10
Brain Dead: Cheap Beer Will Make Us Go Away (DVD) by: Alan Sternberg Brain Dead is a skinhead band from South Bend. This DVD chronicles the bands 2005 Midwest tour. It was obviously cheaply produced but something about local bands producing DVD’s makes since to me. This DVD is %100 DYI and shows the band at its best (live). I don’t know if you can get this DVD anymore since the band has changed names (Whiskey Riot) but I’m a huge fan of Brain Dead. Lots of energy and somewhat catchy songs leave a lasting impression. 7/10
Issue 6 – Pg. 46 Another State of Mind (Movie) by: Alan Sternberg Another State of Mind chronicles the 82 Youth Brigade and Social Distortion tour. The trip took them from SoCal all over the US and Canada. The tour really ends when they break down in DC and all of Social Distortion but Mike Ness jumped ship. Even though the film's more about Youth Brigade, the title comes from Mike Ness writing the song "Another State of Mind" during the course of the movie. I thought it was a really good interpretation of the scene and was amazed something like this came out of that time period. 9/10
Mediocres Last Show / CD Release (Show) by: Alan Sternberg If you know the Mediocres, you know they’re full of energy and fun. I can’t believe I won’t see them again. They were a local band for a long time in Anderson but after the scene fell apart, they retreated to their hometown of Marion. The show was at a Mancinos Pizza. $5 to get in and food, not to mention the six bands that played the show. All of the bands were amazing. The Mediocres played a blistering long, but good, set that was a real treat (seeing as it was there last show). Tons of good music, good friends, a positive attitude, and just old fashioned fun made it an amazing show. Also, if you’ve never seen The Wombat, go see them. They’ll blow your mind. 10/10
Mike sings during what can only be described as a Wombat Party Photo: Alan Sternberg