1.
Please introduce Bridge & Tunnel and give a brief history of the
band:
Pat - drums, Jeff - guitar/vocals, Tia - bass/vocals, Rachel - guitar/vocals.
We started in 2006, we had all been in bands around the Long Island
scene so when we all came together it was just like sweet buddies
hanging out and playing. It was really nice.
2.
What does Bridge & Tunnel mean to you?
Ummm...well it's kind of like a state of mind; an ever-growing conceptual
collage of music and emotion.
3.What
are some of the things you try to communicate through your music?
Buddies, hanging out, trying to not be a shit head and living on the
edge.
4.Do
you think it's necessary for independent musicians and bands to have
a form of ethics?
Sure, I mean some bands don't and that's cool. i just think its more
meaningful if you all come from a certain place and hold particular
ideals close to your heart.
5.You've
developed a strong relationship with Gainesville, Florida's No Idea
records; they released your demo 7" as well as the East/West
full length; what first attracted you to the label?
They are a great label and stand up people in general. They pressed
one of my old bands records so when they heard we started this band
they wanted to check it too.
6.What
is your take on the state of the punk rock scene in New York and more
generally throughout the U.S.?
Well all places are different. There is obviously a lot of issues
in all different scenes across the U.S. I guess here in NY one of
my gripes is when kids come to house shows with a bunch of beer and
then when they are asked to donate money its like a huge issue. Fuck
that. If you can afford to buy a six pack then you should be able
to afford to give a touring band $5. That shit always bothers me when
I go to shows. Gas is expensive and touring vans don't run on PBR.
7.I
read in an article that you don't like to describe yourselves as a
DIY band by contemporary standards; do you feel that DIY is becoming
too broad of a term to define yourselves? Could you explain your position
on this further?
I feel like when people start to label themselves as DIY, you kinda
lock yourself into this one mindset. Of course we like doing things
for ourselves: booking shows, making fliers, recording music, writing
zines etc. I just think it's important to do things that make you
comfortable and not just do them because your band is labeled something.
8.You're
in the middle of a U.S. tour and from looking at your tour itinerary
I've noticed that you're playing a good mix of clubs, houses, and
diy spaces; what is your ideal show situation?
An ideal show would be any small packed room with all our buddies
there dancing and singing. Those are always the best times!
9.Is
it easy for you to seemingly drop what you're doing, take time off
work and go on tour for two months? What inspires you as a band to
go out on tour at the risk of personal hardship and financial loss?
When you love playing music and are lucky enough to find other people
to share that with that you care about, it's hard to really want to
do anything else. Money and jobs come and go but making connections
and forming friendships with people all over the county is honestly
more important to us then a lot of things.
10.
Any interesting road/tour stories?
We all learned to surf on this last tour. I know that does not sound
very impressive but I'm a pretty lanky dude so i didn't really think
i would ever do that. It ruled though.
11.What
has been your most memorable show to date?
It's hard to say, we have had some great shows here in NY. We had
an amazing show in Chicago at the Lucky Gator Loft and the Fest and
pre-Fest shows in Florida were pretty rad as well.
12.
You're set to release a split 7" with Young Livers on No Idea.
How did you end up teaming up with Young Livers for the release?
I booked a show for them up here in NY awhile back and we kinda all
just hit it off. They are some of the best dudes and their band is
seriously amazing so it just kinda fell together like that.
13.
What are the last five records you bought?
Banner Pilot - Resignation Day, Tim Barry - Rivanna Junction, Polar
Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear, The Knockdown - Test
Retest, Algernon Cadwallader LP
14.
What's up next for the band?
A few shows up and down the coast and then off to Europe in April.
15. How
can people contact you?
A: bridgeandtunnelmusic@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/bridgeandtunnelmusic
16.Final
words?
This whole tour I have been eating a lot of peanut noodles. It's really
easy to make on the road. Just take a pack of ramin noodles, boil
them in water and when its done drain it and dump it into a bowl.
Then take a table spoon of peanut butter and put it in the middle
of all the noodles. The heat from the noodles should melt it. Then
throw in some soy sauce, garlic powder and hot sauce. Mix it all up
and you're ready to eat. I seriously ate that about every other day
for two months. It's the best!
