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Finally: F.O.D.!

Submitted by jgervasi on Tue, 2016-01-05 10:32

From the start of this project back in 2013 I wanted to talk to Jim McMonagle of Philly's longest running hardcore punk bands (and one of the longest running in the country): Flag of Democracy (F.O.D.). Jim's a busy guy, so this took three years to actually happen. There would be no interview with Jim if it wasn't for Bruce Howze of SRA Records. Not only has Bruce done a marvelous job re-issuing F.O.D.'s records, but he's also released scores of other albums including some from his band Hulk Smash and from Jenna Pup's +HIRS+. On Sunday, January 3, 2016 we finally had a chance to talk, and talk we did for two recorded hours. I must apologize in advance for the horrid state of my throat thanks to a cold that persists even as I type this blog entry. Below please find three outtake shots from my photos of Jim and Bruce. For this interview we tried something new which I've not seen done elsewhere (yet): I ran a live video stream through Facebook of the introduction to the interview then came back after the interview to live stream a Facebook-only question about Jim growing up as a "monster kid." We also took a few questions from people tuning into the live video feed. The introduction is here:

LOUD! FAST! PHILLY! - Intro
Posted by Joseph A. Gervasi on Sunday, January 3, 2016

The FB-only question and watcher questions is here:

LOUD! FAST! PHILLY! - Facebook Exclusive Question and Comments
Posted by Joseph A. Gervasi on Sunday, January 3, 2016

My thanks to Bruce for making this happen and for being such a great force in our city. Look for a new F.O.D. record (hurray!) in 2016 on SRA Records.

Kiss the Goat!

Submitted by jgervasi on Thu, 2015-12-03 13:43

Nathan Gray, friend and Satan, and JAG, friend of cats

It seems the official Church of Satan, the organization founded by Anton Lavey, has officially endorsed my interview with Nathan Gray: http://news.churchofsatan.com/post/134469063557/nathan-gray-on-loud-fast-philly-warlock

A Rainy Afternoon By Candlelight With the Goat-Wolf

Submitted by jgervasi on Wed, 2015-12-02 08:40

Currently Reading:

A God In Ruins by Kate Atkinson

The Big Green Tent by Lyudmila Ulitskaya

Here's a photo of Nathan Gray and me taken after our stimulating (and likely controversial in some quarters) interview of yesterday.

Bonus Ralph Darden!

Submitted by jgervasi on Mon, 2015-11-09 22:29

For a while we weren't certain if Karen Kirchhoff was going to be able to shoot Ralph while he was in town. To be safe, I shot photos with him no the day of the interview. Since Karen did shoot him, my photos were rendered superfluous. Since more Ralph is never enough, I've decided to post them here.

Coming Soon: My Interview with Ralph Darden ...

Submitted by jgervasi on Mon, 2015-11-09 11:45

... of Random Children, Franklin, AM/FM, Jai Alai Savant, etc. He's also known as DJ Major Taylor. Here's a pic of us together from yesterday's interview session at my house. This photo was taken behind my garage.

Late October Update

Submitted by jgervasi on Wed, 2015-10-28 16:05

Hi. Lest you think the project has reached its conclusion, allow me to assure you it still lives. While I've no interviews in the can or scheduled, there are a few people I want to catch up with at some point. Logistics have proven to be problematic, but I trust I'll be able to sit down with most of the folks I still wish to speak to in time. Next year should see the publication of a book that will feature some of Karen's photos for L!F!P! More on that when it sees print. I'm looking to begin work on a new music-related project about 1000 miles away from HC punk. If that comes together it'll see fruition some time in 2016. I managed to appear on the supplements of two blu-rays/DVDs this year, so the curious can hear me blab in the supplements of Criterion's VALERIE AND HER WEEK OF WONDERS (about The Valerie Project and the movie) and Artsploitation Films' BLOODY KNUCKLES (about my Diabolik DVD business). Be well and enjoy the best season!

In Neil We Trust

Submitted by jgervasi on Fri, 2015-07-03 09:44

I had a terrific time talking to Neil Robinson of Nausea, Squat or Rot, Final Warning, Tribal War Records, ABC NO RIO, etc. yesterday at the Farmageddon veganic farm. Interviewer to go up early next week and it's frank and revealing. Neil's the best!

Posi Crew

Submitted by jgervasi on Tue, 2015-06-30 21:02

Mark Andersen, Joseph, and Bull portrait by Karen Kirchhoff

Here's a bonus photo of Mark Andersen, the latest interview in the series, that also features me (left) and my brother Bull (right). The photo is by Karen Kirchhoff, who contributed four photos to the interview. This is one of my favorite interviews of the series (and I think it's the longest), so I hope you'll give it a listen and share your thoughts about it.

Site Issues Being Fixed

Submitted by jgervasi on Mon, 2015-06-15 09:24

If you've seen a notice saying "This Site May Be Hacked," fear not. The issue -- minor as it was -- is in hand and being fixed. You'll have no issues with the site. I waited to put up the Mano Divina interview and some blog postings until this was sorted. Soon the notice will go away. In the meanwhile, please enjoy the site as you always have (or for the first time if you're new). Thanks to the great SEJ for taking care of this issue.

I encourage you to share your thoughts about the site and the interviews with me. I'd love your feedback!

Extra Mano Divina For You

Submitted by jgervasi on Mon, 2015-06-15 09:22

Here are some bonus shots of Mano Divina. The black-and-white shot is from Karen Kirchhoff's photoshoot. The two color shots are from the day of our interview. The interview just went live and it's a really great one. Give it a listen!

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