Voice Of The People is an idea I have had for a long time but the actual coordination of doing it by myself proved to be too much until I came in contact with Josh Derr from Wilmington, DE earlier this year. Josh started off by doing reviews for In Effect and mentioned he wanted to do more in the line of articles and when I found out he was also going to the This Is Hardcore Fest in Philadelphia this past July the wheels started turning. From going to these bigger fests like TIHC and the Black ‘N Blue Bowl in NYC I totally noticed the amount of out of towners and people from other countries who were attending. When I got to thinking about the amount of people who travel long distances for a weekend of shows I would often think to myself “what is their story”… or “these guys are really fucking dedicated to come all the way to the United States for a weekend”. Granted many turn the trip into their yearly vacation but credit has to be given to these road warriors who in some cases travel across the world for the music we love. This whole thing came together rather quickly where we put out a feeler on Facebook looking for people traveling to the This Is Hardcore Fest from far away. There were no real rules, we just wanted to come up with a variety of people who traveled from far away (and not so far away as well) and ask them some simple questions. The bands that make up the hardcore scene are obviously essential but just as essential are everyday people like these (and you) who go to shows, buy records and merch, buy zines, support websites like this one and keep the spirit of hardcore alive. Josh and I came up with a short list of people we found online who we knew would be going from other countries and from around the US and we got their info but still had to track them down at some point over the weekend. Some people we tracked down with ease, some flaked out and others we just saw and just ambushed them out of the crowd… like “Hey you, come here, do you want to be interviewed?” Josh did the interviews, took their photos and off they went. We want to thank everyone who took part in this for taking the time to come find us and give us a couple of minutes of their time to make this thing happen. Thanks also to the This Is Hardcore staff who once again put on the best weekend of the year. ALL interviews and photos were done/taken at Philly's The Electric Factory during the last 3 days of the fest which ran from July 23rd through July 26th.
Nick Tronckoe, 25 years old, Belgium
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Nick: I'm from Belgium, I came here by plane. First I went to Florida, and then I did a road trip, went to DC then took the bus to TIHC. So it took me like 2 weeks to get here after
all that. The road trip was a week, and then we hit some other cities and then the festival.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Nick: It's my 4th TIHC.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Nick: I knew before the lineup was announced that I was coming, I love TIHC;
I love the vibe, I love the bands. I know the lineup will be solid every year and the atmosphere will be solid every year, I love it here. For me it's like Christmas in July!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Nick: That's tough – I have to think. I'd say my favorite thing about Philly is TIHC, for real, and Reading Terminal Market as well, that place is great I love it there. My least
favorite thing is that it gets dirty perhaps sometimes.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Nick: That is a tough question. It was actually a metal record, Killswitch Engage. I think it was called the “End of Heartache”.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Nick: Cheaper plane tickets! Worldwide hardcore needs cheaper plane tickets, get more bands to Europe and across the world because sometimes bands announce a tour then they're like “Oh no! It costs too much money” and they can't do it, so fans around the world get bummed out about that. That’s why I come here, because bands like Malice at the Palace and Blistered - they never go to Europe, so that is why I love coming here for festivals and other shows.
Caitlin Mags, age 20, Seattle, WA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Caitlin: I'm from Seattle Washington, I flew here on US Airways and it took 6 hours.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Caitlin: This is my first time ever on the East Coast, so it's my first This Is Hardcore.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Caitlin: Biohazard and Cro-Mags… I'll see them as many times as I can.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Caitlin: My favorite thing - the people, from what I've seen the East Coast hardcore scene is just fucking awesome. My least favorite thing would be that downtown smells horrible, it smells like piss.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Caitlin: My friend bought me Cro Mags “Age Of Quarrel” on record.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Caitlin: I would say that as a scene one thing we need is more brass knuckle tattoos!
Robbie King, age 22, Scotland
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Robbie: I'm from Scotland. It took me an all around day to get here on Virgin Atlantic.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Robbie: This is my first time, and it's my first time in Philadelphia as well.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Robbie: It's been something I've wanted to do for a while, I had some money saved up so I basically I just splashed out and came over.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Robbie: Favorite is the cheesesteaks, and least would be that it smells really bad.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Robbie: I remember getting a free CD of Metalhammer and it had Agnostic Front and Warzone on it.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Robbie: I'd say in this case I'd try to arrange venues that let younger kids in. There are a lot of shows that kids want to go to but they can't because there are strict rules that you have to be a certain age because the show is at a bar and there is drinking and stuff. It's a bit different in the UK, but we have the same problem over there, but I'd say use more venues like art spaces and stuff instead of putting shows on in bars.
Colin Feeney, 21 years old, Long Island, NY
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Colin: I'm from Long Island, New York so it's about 2 and a half to 3 hours from here. The bus from Manhattan was like $20, and that took about 3 hours.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Colin: This is my 2nd year.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Colin: The bands, the food, my friends.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Colin: My favorite thing is definitely the food… there is a lot of good food. I don't really like the subway. In New York you pay with a metro card and go down to the subway and
every train is going one way, but here you have to put money in at the cashier's booth and then get swiped through somehow, I just don't think it makes much sense.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Colin: The first record I remember buying is a Senses Fail record back in I'd say 2004, it was “Let It Enfold You” and it changed my life.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Colin: One thing I've noticed more kids are doing now is bringing kids who usually wouldn't go to shows. On Long Island there'll be a show and you'll see at least 10 or 15 new faces, if they like it they come back, there is an attraction; they tag along because their friends are going and they get exposed to a whole new world and I think more of that should happen.
Aaron Bedard, Boston, MA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Aaron: I am from Boston, MA. I came here via Brooklyn where my girlfriend Lillian lives. So for me it was a bus ride from Boston to Brooklyn, that was 4 and a half hours, and
today we took the train from Penn Station to New Brunswick, NJ which was 50 minutes, probably less, then our friend Justin picked us up and drove us to the show, which was about an hour and a half.
All totaled it was about 6 to 6 and a half hours to get here.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Aaron: I never got a chance to come before Bane played. I think we first played 8 years ago and have missed maybe 2 years since, so maybe 6 or 7 different times that I've been to
TIHC.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Aaron: I'm in a band who is playing, it's our final time playing the fest, so I had to come do that, but we wanted to come be a part of it. I wanted to see Nails today, we'll be
around Sunday. There are a bunch of bands I am psyched to check out. We came for the whole weekend… it’s the coolest fest!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Aaron: I really like the food and the graffiti culture here a lot. I like TIHC a lot. I love the fierce dedication to sports. That is something I've always had an affinity for.
I'm not even mad about people here being sort of angry and walking around with a chip on their shoulder. I kind of like that. Maybe the thing I don't like about Philly is that it's close enough to
Boston that you still have winter here so it doesn't make sense for me to move here. There is so much I like about Philly, I love the food, there are casinos everywhere. In Boston we don't have a lot
of that, but this isn't an ideal place for me to move because I'm trying to get the fuck away from horrible winters, and Philly still has that. But besides that, there isn't much I don't like about
Philly. I like grimy cities, I like the threat of shit popping off all the time. I like that in a place.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Aaron: One of the first for me was that I bought the first Suicidal Tendencies record and I also bought Fear “The Record”. I think those were the first punk/hardcore records I
bought. I had a friend whose brother had a small record collection, you know, with the Sex Pistols, early Black Flag records, Dead Kennedys, and we listened to them so much that when I finally bought
my own I didn't feel the need to buy those, so I bought that Suicidal album.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Aaron: Wow. That's a really tough question to answer. I guess the only thing that's going to be lasting, that's really going to matter for a kid is if they find something that they can really stand by. If they find something to really commit themselves to; whatever that is. I don't believe there is one key or one thing, but if you give yourself to something, if you really commit yourself to caring about something, giving a fuck about something, then it can last you for an actual decade. I think a lot of kids are pretty fucking wishy-washy and come in here a little bit half-cocked, just trying it on for size, ready to move on to the next thing. To understand what makes this special is that it asks a little bit more of you, that this is about action, committing yourself to something; taking some stance to some fight to some sort of a struggle and without that its completely un-lasting and you are missing the point entirely.
Jun-Young Lee, age 23, South Korea
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Jun: I'm from South Korea. I first came to the US on an airplane for 15 hours.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Jun: First time! I wanted to come last year but I couldn't because I was in the army, in the infantry, but this year I finished my time in the army, I'm here and I'm alive.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Jun: First I came to help the South Korean band The Geeks. I talked to the
vocalist Ki and said “I want to help you guys” so that is the first reason. Second reason is that I wanted to come to this show!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Jun: This is my first experience in Philadelphia so I don't have an answer.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Jun: I was in high school, it was Backtrack and Terror.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Jun: I am straight edge, and so in high school many kids bullied me. Going to shows in high school was good for me because I was always negative, but when my friends took me to shows it turned the negative to positive. I think we can have a positive impact and give more power to kids with more shows.
Chris Wrenn, 39 years old, Salem, MA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Chris: I live in Salem, Mass and I flew out of Boston. It should have taken 2 hours but it took 4 because the flight was delayed.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Chris: Bridge 9 has been a vendor all 10 years, but I have been here 6 times.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Chris: It's the one place on the East Coast where most of the people I know are going to be. In one weekend I can see a lot of the people I've met over the 20 years of doing a label and going to shows.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Chris: My favorites are this fest, it's one of the most well run fests that I've ever dealt with, and the food - as a vegan I eat really well here. As far as things I don't like, I don't think I spend enough time here to say – I mean, last year somebody tagged our van which was annoying, but it came right off.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Chris: I don't know. I remember buying the Dead Kennedys' “Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death” compilation, and that was really good, that was an early one.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Chris: I think the scene needs more hands on, I don't know if “workshops” is the best term, but something here that could show people how to do things. Like a zine workshop or maybe something related to how to do a label, you know, how to get involved, that would be great.
Bethany, age 23, Florida
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Bethany: I’m from Florida, I took a Greyhound bus and it took 27 hours!
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Bethany: This is my first time.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Bethany: Nails.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Bethany: I like the scene here but I don’t like how rude people are and it’s really cold.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Bethany: It’s not really punk or hardcore, but it got me here, it’s the Ataris “So Long Astoria”.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Bethany: More venues in different cities to bring a different crowd in.
Shay Burke, age 28, Las Vegas, NV
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Shay: I’m from Las Vegas and came by plane, it took about 6 hours.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Shay: This is my second year in a row.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Shay: I had such a good time last year and the lineup is always killer, so that’s a big factor.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Shay: Favorite is all the culture, the historic stuff, we don’t really have that in Vegas. Least favorite thing is probably the traffic and trying to park anywhere.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Shay: A local band from Las Vegas called Folsom.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Shay: I’m not sure, I think the scene is doing a good job – it’s very accepting of everyone and new ideas. Just maybe the new generation needs to keep coming in and making an impact, so it’s not just the same old people running shows and stuff like that, we need some new people to come in and help take over.
Eric Weiss, age 41, Queens, NY
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Eric: I'm from Queens, New York. I took the subway to the megabus, then a cab. All said and done it took about 3 and a half hours to get here.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Eric: I can't say exactly, but this is maybe my 6th.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Eric: It's interesting. I think everyone comes for the bands and this music that we love. But for me, increasingly it's become about the people and the friendships that I have made. There are a lot of people that I really only see once a year, and for me and some of my friends from around the country this has become an integral part of our year, not just to see the bands, but to see and connect with each other every year.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Eric: My favorite thing is the food. The vegan food in Philly is amazing. As a New Yorker, I always think that we have the best of everything, and we do, but Philly has amazing vegan food. I always put on a few pounds when I come down here. My least favorite thing is the Philadelphia Phillies – fuck ‘em.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Eric: Agnostic Front “Liberty And Justice.” I used to go to the record store pretty much every weekend with my allowance money – Numbers Records on Fresh Pond Road in Queens, and I'd try to buy whatever the bloodiest/goriest record cover was. Usually I'd end up with some crazy metal bands, but one time it mixed in with that Agnostic Front record. You know, I'm 41 and it obviously changed my life forever.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Eric: I personally would love to see the hardcore scene get more political; get more involved with social justice issues, human justice issues, animal liberation issues. I love modern hardcore but I wish there were more people doing zines and forming bands that were talking not just about the scene and the community, but how hardcore and punk kids can affect not just our world, but the whole world at large, and I'd love to see more of that come back into the modern hardcore scene.
Kat, age 29, Van Nuys, CA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Kat: I'm from Van Nuys, California and it took me about 5 and a half hours to get here.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Kat: This is my second time… first time was about 4 years ago.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Kat: My boyfriend
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Kat: Favorite thing would be the historical parts of the city, that's pretty cool. Least favorite is the humidity.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Kat: That would be Reach The Sky.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Kat: Getting more involved in communities outside of hardcore. I know we help each other a lot from within, if someone passes away, or if a family member needs help. But maybe doing a little outside of it would show the people who judge that do things for everyone.
Andreas Ljungman, age 37, Sweden
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Andreas: I'm from Gothenburg, but right now I live in Stockholm, Sweden. I took a flight here, first to London, then New York, then took a bus down to Philly.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Andreas: I've been here 4 times, I came to the first one, 2012, 2014, and now this year.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Andreas: To hang out with friends, nice weather, nice food. A lot of good hardcore bands. I like the vibe, the Swedish hardcore scene is not this big, and the moshing is pretty lame as well sometimes. I like seeing people go nuts. Good mosh, good bands, hang out.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Andreas: Best thing about Philly is that everything is close, good food, Chinatown, whatever, you can walk to whatever you want. There isn't anything I don't really like except that if you compare it to Sweden it's pretty dirty but I don't really care, I love it here.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Andreas: In Sweden The Refused were pretty big back in the 90’s, so I guess that was my first one, back in ‘93 or something.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Andreas: I think we need to get along and stop pointing fingers online and having beefs over the internet. I blame a lot of negative stuff going on because of the internet.
“Z” Zixuan Chen, age 24, China/Vancouver
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Z: I’m from China, living in Vancouver currently.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Z: This is my first year, so I’m very excited.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Z: The lineup for sure, and I want to meet new people and make new friends.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Z: Favorite is that it is a chill city and the food is good here. I found a market down the street and they have great food there! Least favorite, I don’t really know.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Z: The first punk one would be the Sex Pistols and hardcore is Black Flag.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Z: I think hardcore needs the kids to be united and do something positive. Be more like a team, a community where people from different backgrounds and countries can work together.
Kenny Finnegan, age 39, Warwick, NY
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Kenny: I'm from upstate New York, and I came by bus. It took me about 3 hours to get here.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Kenny: This is my first time here.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Kenny: I came down with All Out War.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Kenny: My favorite is the haunted prison I went to down here a few years ago, and my least favorite thing is the smell in Chinatown.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Kenny: I'd have to say Minor Threat.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Kenny: Less tough guys.
Alex Cantellano, age 24, Chicago, IL
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Alex: I’m from Chicago, it took me 2 hours to get here by flight, and I’m here for 3 days.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Alex: This is my first time coming here, but I have been hearing about this festival for some time already.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Alex: Supporting a local band from Chicago, Harms Way. There is a newer band, Forced Order that I want to check out.
Then on Saturday there are bands like Cro-Mags, that’s a must, The Misfits, that’s what got me into the hardcore scene, and Bane’s last TIHC set.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Alex: Favorite thing about Philly? There is a lot of love in the scene here, that’s for sure, everyone gets along, you see people stage diving and doing crazy shit and everyone gets helped out. My least favorite thing is that there are a lot of bums out here.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Alex: Has to be The Misfits.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Alex: Just keep up what it’s doing. Keep on progressing and hope for the best, but so far so good, the hardcore scene is growing and is getting better and better every year!
Andrew VanDenberg, age 47, Curacao
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Andrew: I am from Curacao, a small island in the Dutch Caribbean near the coast of South America. I flew in to Miami first, then from Miami to Philly, so 5 or 6 hours of flying.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Andrew: This is my 3rd time. 2013, '14, and now this is the 3rd.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Andrew: The last two I came to, and that I was reading about it and being so interested that I told myself I had to go. On the island where I live, there is nothing going on, and you will not find these bands going there so it was a logical choice.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Andrew: I think the city has a real good vibe. I like to walk around a lot, it feels safe, it feels cool, not like a negative vibe. I can’t really think of a thing to say that I don’t like.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Andrew: Might have to be the first Suicidal Tendencies or a Black Flag record back in the mid-80’s.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Andrew: I think that hardcore truly isn’t shocking anymore, I don’t think you are going to find anything that’s shocking enough to lift it up again, and it will just go through the motions. Personally I don’t think it’s dead – look at what you see here- but hopefully what is going on in the world today will get some bands to rise up again or start a movement, politically. We are living in rough times, that is for sure, so it is a good breeding ground for hardcore to get creative on that again. What we are seeing is a lot of bands that are the same musically and lyrically, hardcore has become more about a musical style and not much more according to me.
John Davis, age 28. England/Canada
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
John: I’m from England and live in Whistler BC, Canada. It took about 14 hours, I had to fly to Toronto, wait and then fly here.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
John: This is my first time.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
John: Suicide File, I missed them on their European tour, and I have loved that band for 10 or 12 years.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
John: My favorite is probably the food or this fest. I haven’t seen enough of it to pick a bad thing.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
John: Social Distortion: “White Light, White Heat, White Trash”.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
John: Less macho hardcore, less tough guy nonsense.
Rachel Wass, age 30. Levittown, PA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Rachel: I’m from Levittown PA, and it takes about 30 minutes to get here.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Rachel: I’ve been to TIHC a total of 9 times.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Rachel: TIHC is kind of like a summer camp full of family reunions and it’s just always a great time!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Rachel: My favorite thing about Philadelphia is the historical aspect, and least favorite has got to be drugs in the city.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Rachel: The first 2 I actually bought at the same time, Turning Point and Lifetime, 2 of my favorites.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Rachel: I’m really big on charity, and I feel like if more bands and people in the scene reached out doing more charity work, I think it would open a lot of eyes to positive things, and it’s something we could all work on together.
Snack, age 31, Reading, PA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Snack: I grew in Easton PA, started going to shows 15 or 16 years ago and it's not gonna stop.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Snack: Every year except one, so this is my ninth TIHC.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Snack: I don't always get a chance to hear new bands that are getting hyped. I'm no good on the message boards, so I like coming here. I get to find out what new bands are around or
catch some other bands I don't get to see during the year. Every band that is stepping out there doing something gets a spot on this fest, whether they're an older or younger band, so it's cool to
see a lot of these bands in a live environment. Beyond that, Joe books a great fest and I know every year that I'll get to see friends I haven't seen since last year or going on tour as a younger
guy. For example, Sand is playing tomorrow. I met those dudes because they stayed at my house 4 years ago and despite the language barrier, are some of the coolest guys I've ever met.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Snack: I hate everything about this town! For real though, my least favorite thing is that getting into and out of the city sucks, but the city itself is a lot of fun. It’s got a lot
of good vegetarian food, it’s had a thriving hardcore scene for like 20 years, and is a hub for PA hardcore.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Snack: I don't know the first one I bought but I think the first punk album I ever owned was “Loose Nut” by Black Flag on cassette. I didn't buy it. I actually fished it out of
somebody's garbage when I was out skateboarding at 13 years old.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Snack: I think kids need to stop worrying about looking cool and stop worrying about being seen and being recognized as a member of the hardcore scene without actually doing anything. There are a whole lot of kids out there who coast by on this internet popularity without giving to the scene, and that's a shame. They could be doing anything, all the cliché stuff; be in bands, make a zine, books shows, I've done all 3 of those things on small, shitty levels but I was able to make lifelong friendships, and the experiences helped to shape who I became as a person.
Taylor Mitchel Joos, age 21, Ogden, UT
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Taylor: I’m from Ogden Utah, about 40 minutes from Salt Lake City, I took a plane and it was only about 4 and a half hours.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Taylor: This is my first time, I’m stoked on it!
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Taylor: The experience, coming out and meeting new people, seeing how scenes are different in different states.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Taylor: I don’t really have anything to say either way, but there is a shit ton of people!
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Taylor: Probably Warzone.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Taylor: Better promotion, at least in Utah.
Joe Wigg, age 23, Australia
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Joe: I live in Melbourne Australia. It took us 17 hours to get to LA then about 4 to get here from LA.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Joe: This is my first one.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Joe: To see this amount of bands at one festival, it’s just crazy!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Joe: Least would be that it’s very difficult to party late here. We had to miss bands to go get beer. Favorite is definitely Philly cheesesteaks.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Joe: It was something from Hatebreed I think, by accident.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Joe: Every show should be all ages, I think it’s ridiculous that you have to be 21 to see your favorite band, I hate it really. It should always be all ages.
Megan Gandee, age 19, Texas
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Megan: I am from Texas. I took a flight to Virginia then drove 6 hours from Virginia Beach to Philly.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Megan: This is my first time, I wanted to come last year but didn’t have the money and couldn’t get off work.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Megan: All of the bands. The set list is amazing, I know that is going to be amazing, Texas represent!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Megan: Favorite would be just to see everyone who is here at the fest. Least favorite is the traffic.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Megan: Honestly I don’t remember. I grew up with a lot of punk, hardcore, and death metal influence in my family so I just grew up into it.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Megan: More support for women in hardcore. Women are rare here so it’s awesome to see girls pit and have the support so that would be a good thing.
Marc Zingarini, age 23, Vermont
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Marc: I’m originally from here, but I live in Vermont now. It took 7 hours to drive down.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Marc: 2 times.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Marc: The lineup was insane, and last year I tore my knee up and couldn’t come, so this year is my redemption!
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Marc: I’m from here so there isn’t a bad thing to say. Favorites are the food and the scene are both so awesome!
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Marc: Minor Threat’s first two 7’’s.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Marc: I think just people being constantly creative. One thing I’d like to see go away is people not just moshing and having fun but when they are targeting people – trying to really beat the shit out of each other, that is just lame. But what is great is the constant motion of creativity and coming together and having a good time!
Jake Brown, age 26, Australia
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Jake: I’m from Melbourne Australia, I got here by plane, it was a 16 hour flight to LA, and we road tripped cross country since then, busses, planes, and all sorts of stuff.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Jake: This is my first year and judging by this, I’ll probably be back next year.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Jake: Really good lineups and was a good time to travel for me.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Jake: My favorite thing is that I can get vegan Philly chessesteaks. My least favorite is that the liquor stores close really early.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Jake: From memory it was Offspring “Americana” and Gorilla Biscuits.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Jake: I really can’t think of anything.
Josh Gutjahr, age 19, South Dakota
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Josh: I’m from South Dakota, I took a bus, and it took 2 days.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Josh: This is my first year.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Josh: Foundation and Agitator’s last show.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Josh: The food is pretty good and it’s pretty gross here.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Josh: Probably the Misfits when I was younger, that was the first punk band I got into, but then I got into more hardcore. A band called Harness from Santa Barbara really got me into hardcore.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Josh: More shows, really that’s all it needs. And more big venues like this, it’s cool to pack so many people into one place.
Matt Crittenden, Olympia, WA
1. Where are you from, how did you get here and how long did it take you to get here?
Matt: I am from Olympia Washington. I got here via plane, then a car. It took 3 and a half hours to Chicago, 1 and a half to Roanoke, VA and then 6 hours driving to
Philadelphia.
2. How many times have you been to TIHC?
Matt: 3 times, this is my third time.
3. What made you come to TIHC this year?
Matt: Snapcase, Morning Again, Sand, Cruel Hand, and Build and Destroy, their new album is great. The Exploited, I used to be a street punk so it just made sense to me.
4. Your favorite and least favorite thing about Philly?
Matt: My favorite thing is the food. I was just reminded how good Little Baby's Ice Cream is about 30 minutes ago and that was amazing. My least favorite thing is driving because
Philadelphia has the worst roads. Also, today me and some friends found an abandoned train station in North Philly and that was fucking amazing, I've never had an experience like that
before.
5. The first punk or hardcore record you remember buying?
Matt: Shit. I think maybe the first punk CD I ever bought was “How To Clean Everything” by Propaghandi. First hardcore album would have been Cruel Hand's “Lock and Key”.
6. Something you think the hardcore scene could use to have a positive impact on it for the next 10 years?
Matt: It's gotten to the point where you get instant feedback via the internet, and that is cool because it allows people to see that “oh yeah, people are supporting this.” The internet gives people in the scene a forum to talk about what this all means and say some real shit.
VIEW FROM THE TOP
A look down from the top of the Electric Factory at the parking lot below early Sunday as the
Day 4 crowd for This Is Hardcore grows. Photo by: WASS PHOTOGRAPHY