Graphics by: Bas Spierings
The biggest weekend of the year for the NYHC scene is almost upon us as May16th and 17th creep closer. Hardcore fests have gone postal over the last few years with almost any show with more than 5 or 6 bands on the bill getting the tag “fest”. The Black N Blue Bowl though has some deep history having initially started out being called “The Super Bowl Of Hardcore” and was held at the old Ritz which is now called Webster Hall in NYC. After sputtering out for a bit out the BNB boys revived the Superbowl Of Hardcore concept in 2005 and in 2008 it was renamed “Black N Blue Bowl” with each year bringing more and more to the table. 2013 saw a jump from a 1 day deal to a 2 day event which it has stayed at ever since. This event has grown so big in popularity throughout the worldwide hardcore music scene that it almost has an international flavor with bands and fans flying in from all over the world just to play or attend this 1 weekend in NYC. Much like last year we caught up with “Cuzin’ Joe”… one of the main culprits for this event taking place. Are you ready for some hardcore? CLICK above image for official trailer.
IE: What's up Joe? I guess the first thing that comes to mind is to ask you about the venue change BACK to Webster Hall in Manhattan. Last year you guys moved the show to an outdoor venue in Brooklyn and now back to indoors at Webster Hall. Why the switch back?
Cuz: Last year Webster Hall somehow double booked one of the dates, that being the reason why we moved it. We made sure that didn't happen again and we are back at the old Ritz where it belongs!
IE: The Regulators who are made up of half Bad Brains and half Cro-Mags members headline Day 1 this year. They already played one benefit show last September in NYC and I am pretty sure you were at that gig at Bowery Electric. Can you give us some insight on what people can expect after seeing their set?
Cuz: Anyone who is a true punk/hardcore person will have appreciated the opportunity to experience this line up on that stage!! The place is gonna go nuts when they play that first song! Anyone who was at that last show they played got a taste of what's to come on Day 1.
DAY 1 HEADLINERS: THE REGULATORS
IE: Crumbsuckers are one of the other big names attached to the BnB Bowl this year. I think I heard most of them live in different parts of Florida now. How did landing them this year come about and have you tried getting them in years past?
Cuz: Freddy (Madball) and I just thought they would kill it at BnB! I got Gary (Crumbsuckers) email from Gary from Kill Your Idols. Calls were made to lock them in! The played a sold out show at BB Kings in NYC which holds 1000 people about 7 years ago I think.
IE: Last year's BnB Bowl was held right around this same time in mid-May. How many weeks or months ahead of time are you setting up the logistics of picking the lineups for the following year?
Cuz: It's a year round process...maybe even longer! Haha, it's crazy.
IE: How many people are involved with picking the bands and putting everything together from start to finish?
Cuz: Myself, Freddy Madball and Jonathan Buske all collaborate to end up with the classic lineups.
IE: BnB does a great job concealing the lineups before the big announcement which is done on your Black N Blue Radio Show. How hard is it to keep everything a secret when you are dealing with so many bands?
Cuz: A pain in my ass! I got people trying to hack my emails! Haha. Loose lips sink ships! Haha but the amount of people dying to know who is playing makes it fun.
IE: You have been doing this for more than a few years now and book shows throughout the year as well in and around the NYC area. With that said what are some of the typical problems or issues you tend to run into with trying to put together something like this as compared to a regular show during the year?
Cuz: Every year, another John, Tim and Mo Mo Jr decide to book a big show or "fest". It's become over saturated and not good for anyone. Deciding to put shows on the same weekend as BnB or too close can also cause more difficulty.
IE: Crumbsuckers looked set to be the Day 2 headliner and then you guys added Burn. Were you guys planning on going with the Crumbsuckers all along as Day 2 headliners and how did Burn get into the mix?
Cuz: Yes we were! Burn came about after the fact! I was happy as hell to add Burn to the already stacked weekend.
IE: On a personal level which bands are you looking forward to seeing the most?
Cuz: I can honestly say every band on both days are awesome fom top to bottom! Dave Smalley doing Dag Nasty?!? It’s going to be great.
IE: I remember seeing you 2 years ago at the 2013 BnB Bowl at Webster Hall and it seemed like you were getting asked a ton of questions by various people and just looked to have a lot on your plate. It seems like with so much going on that it would be hard for you to actually relax a little and enjoy the show. Is it possible?
Cuz: No, not really!
DAY 2 HEADLINERS: BURN (Photo by: Jammi Sloane York)
IE: BnB has shown in years past that you do not discriminate against bands that may be young and just starting out or may not have a big following yet, and even some from other countries that people here in the US may never have heard of. How does a band reading this get considered for future shows?
Cuz: They can email: info@blacknblueproductions.net
IE: Are tickets still available for both days and will you also have some for sale
on the day of the show like previous years?
Cuz: Yes, we're pretty consistent with that. Always giving the last minute chance to get into the show!
IE: I wanted to bring up the fact that the Black N Blue Radio Program that you also have a big hand in is finally relocating back to NYC to East Village Radio after their renovations are completed. Do you guys have a return date as of yet and what about a time slot?
Cuz: We will be back on this week or next Tuesday 8-10 pm through the "DASH" radio app!! Go download it ASAP!
(Editors Note: The show will debut at a 6pm time slot with plans for a 8pm-10pm time slot in the works)
MADBALL PLAYS DAY 1. (Photo by: Aga Hairesis)
IE: The show is great and has a diverse mix of punk and hardcore that you guys play, new and old and everything in between. Have you guys considered trying to have bands play live on the air and will EVR'S new studio be big enough for you to pull stuff like that off on a weekly basis?
Cuz: There's a new studio that was built that can have live bands play. We're happy we have this option and can’t wait to put it to use!
IE: Thanks for your time Joe, keep up the hard work. Before we wrap this up is there anything
else you wanted to add on that we may have missed?
Cuz: Just for everyone to not miss the best weekend of the year to be a hardcore kid in NYC.
EDITORS NOTE: Portugal's Devil In Me will not be performing after one of their members sustained an injury.
FOR TICKETS TO BNB 2015:
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH BNB TEASER #2
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