M: So, Andy how do you feel about the Atlanta Braves?
A: Oh, I feel just great about them, except shouldn't we be talking about those goofy hardcore music things like with little initials next to our names just like in a real interview?
M: Oh, hey that's right...
M: So Andy, I figure since I'm way to old to remember what punk rock was all about and you're just a regular spring chicken I figure we'll focus on your perspective on this whole "scene" thing.
A: Why that's a great idea because I have an excellent speaking voice, great diction, and besides you haven't lived in Schenectady in over a year and a half. Well, let me see, it all began back when I was a kid. I was raised on folk and 60s rock and blues & shit. I didn't really listen to too much 70s/80s radio hits stuff... oh, hey, seven!
(laughter)
A: So anyway, I got into punk mainly through older friends, like my double step-bro Josh and college radio, and I started skating.. this was all around 1986 or so, I think I was in the fifth grade. Gee Marc, weren't you in your third marriage then? Well, Hmmm, I started going to shows around 1987 or so, Saratoga Winners[aptly named] Troy-core shows; bands like Insult to Injury, Cranial Abuse(now Stigmata), Wolf Pack and Final Terror [these are real band names. I swear we didn't make these up] Then I got my teeth knocked in, so I really didn't dig that scene too much.
M: Dude, That must of hella hurt.
A: Dude, yes!
M: Hey that reminds me Andy. Did I ever tell you that I have the words, "Back in the day, Things were different" tattooed on my ass?
A: Wow! One sentence per cheek?
M: You know it! So we pick up when I guess I had moved back to Schenectady from the big city and they were starting to put on those crazy independant hardcore show things here. Do you want to tell us about that, Andy?
A: Why, yes I do!. This guy Chris, who must of lost like thousands of dollars was renting out the Eagles club on State St.. He kinda picked up where Damon Douglas [pictured below] left off.
M: Yeah, wasn't he doing shows in his basement with, like KingFace, Beyond, Operation Ivy and Neurosis at one show and like five people would show up?
A: Yeah, sure. So yeah, the Eagles shows were pretty choice. Got to see No Outlet and Intent play twenty or thirty times each. They had The Ex, Fugazi, all kindsa nutty acts like that. And Dylan had some basement and backyard shows, including Afirmative Actions first show with their current drummer. Those were around '89-'90, then I think Chris had a nervous breakdown, but they started having shows at the Albany art Gallery which were also very choice. The Glee Club/Neighbors show, the Vertebrea and World War three gig where they did that "do you see the light" song that never got recorded. So, after that everything just started to suck with bar shows And what not [see Albany section]
M: What about Saratoga?
A: I used to go see the Figgs play there, right after they changed their name from the Sonic Undertones, and before they got their second drummer. Then there were the Falstaff's shows and Fast Eddie's, which was a pool hall. And hey who can forget the Balston Spa Straightedge Movement?
M: Wow Andy! You said that all in capitails! Sounds pretty official.
A: Well, yeah I think they were an Elks auxilary or something, and I'm pretty sure that they met every Thursday at the Glenville Queen Diner. A fine establishment. DOOOUGH!
(giggles)
M: So, Andy what about your floorishing musical career?
A: Oh, you mean Sick And Wrong [Albany band Andrew is in]?
M: Nah, how did it all start?
A: Well, I was in Sewer Rats, playing guitar in '88 and '89. Then I was in Afflictions of Mankind and Hogsmile; both with Dylan. Nothing much became of that. Jim Kopta was in Hogsmile, but, uh, I .. we nothing ever relly happened with that. Then there was the Neighbors TV show and we met there.
M: Yeah, that was after I stopped living in my car in San Francisco and moved back into my Granma's house.
A: Me and Nathaniel had been hanging out and we got together and played guitar at the open mike at Café Lena's. We decided to start a band, put up flyers that got no response. You offered to play bass and we picked up Neil from the floor of Fast Eddie's after someone kicked him in the gnards.. He'd been drumming in Low Budget Goat with Matty from Magoo and then they broke up and he agreed to drum for us. So then Jo happened.. We played a buncha fucked up shows, then you moved to Northampton and Neil was gonna join the Army and then he didn't but now he's in the Bahamas and I moved to Albany, and George Clinton is President and they're poking holes in the ozone layer and shooting rockets into space AND HOW IS ANYONE GOING TO BREATH!!!?
M: It's ok Andy, here take this..
A: wha?
M: Just take it, I've got Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller, Airplane and Repo Man and Spinal Tap all on this one tape and we're gonna take some Thorazine, chew some jujubees and just relax...
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