Name: Anderson Bradshaw
Aliases: Andy, Andy Victim, The Drip, Ander, Der, Der-Der, Zombie Hands, Fuzzy Lemons, Son, Booyah
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Age: 29
The beginning of it all. How did hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved?
Growing up, aggressive music was key but always in bedroom jam session form. Like so many other kids I'd get home from school, listen to music in my room and that's where it ended. Hardcore was different. It was tangible. It was local. It not only had a face but more often than not it was a face you recognized. You only know what you know so when discovering something new it's only natural that you assume it's new to everyone. I look back on being green to it all and seeing that as the "magic" time for me. It was a minute before I realized hardcore even existed as something other than the local underground. Being over a friend's house and seeing Judge, "New York Crew" on cassette among the pile, picking it up and asking, "Wait.. so there are hardcore bands OUTSIDE of Syracuse?" haha. Today, my involvement is limited due to time constraints and outside interests. I still have love for a scene that gave so much to me but these days I'm just a visitor. Most of my current support should be credited to my iPod. Still make it to the occasional show and much like those first shows it's pretty much stand in the back or to the side, watch and enjoy. Sure... trends and sheep-like social dynamics will always be rampant and just change to fit the times. It's bizarre that something even as simple as dancing is dictated by what is and what isn't. I'm not even really an old head but I've been around long enough to see this thing go around the block a few times. I'm convinced there was never a back in the day where everybody and everything was original. Even at the start, it was always like this. Time has shown us that. It's youth. Being young is all about trying to find yourself and a lot of times you need to jump on a few ships before you find one that's going your way. There are those kids out there though who are truly making it their own just like there were in the beginning. I think that's amazing.
You've been out of the game and spotlight for a few years now since The Promise disbanded. What have you been doing with your time and are there any plans to get back on the stage with any projects?
I'm still quite busy these days as a video editor which was something I was doing full time (High Roller Studios) while in The Promise. That, of course made it difficult to be out playing on a consistent basis which was probably one of the reasons things came to an end. Today work is going well though. I am part owner in a video production company, Space Monkey Studios with my long time friend, Doug Spangenberg. Much of what we do is music-based video projects such as music videos, DVD and TV spots, but recently we have also expanded to doing documentaries. I was the editor on Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry: The Life and Time's of Norman Keith Collins which is a full length feature on legendary tattoo artist Sailor Jerry. Work has been steady and busy which as an owner is always good. Future hardcore projects... never say never. The spotlight was something I never craved nor cared for. I've always been kind of reserved and even when I was in bands, off-stage, I was never that outgoing. My life leaves me little to no time for anything else but I do miss playing shows. Especially the ones in Syracuse. I know everybody gets sentimental about their hometown but The Promise shows there were always really memorable. Certain events, shows or locations come along and bond people who otherwise wouldn't cross paths. That was what our shows were. We weren't the best band but it was a glue that tied old friends together. Maybe by then a lot of us had grown apart but when a show came it was an opportunity to come together one more time. That made it special. For me, the only reason to do another project would be in that spirit. I'd like to see old friends and make new ones.
Over the years, you've gone from writing and singing very militant Straight Edge themed lyrics to more thoughtful and tolerant themed Edge lyrics. Is your Edge going dull?
I think the key word is thoughtful here. Lyrics are a place for expression and if ever there was a time to let out something I can think of no better place, but the actual idea of militant Straight Edge has no reality to it. I never bought into the brass knuckle, bloody knife XXX bullshit imagery. There is nothing in that. Nothing that will last anyway. Anger is valid and the effects drugs and alcohol can have on a family or friendship push that. That's what always pushed me. What you do with that anger is something else though. Do you hate the person or do you hate the disease? Did I hate my Mom before she recovered? Of course not. Did I hate seeing empty bottles scattered about in the kitchen when I would get home from school? Absolutely. Hate the game not the player. Not even sure what militant Straight Edge is. Hating sellouts? Good luck. We all have friends who have lost their Edge... so now what? I don't base my friendship on who enables me. It's ridiculous when people hang out solely to have someone to get fucked up with, so to have that approach to not getting fucked up is a contradiction. My edge isn't dull... it's in focus.
Please give us your most memorable tour story.
I can't really pick one that sticks out among others. Looking back it was all little moments here and there that made it memorable. The worse the situation, I think, usually makes for the more memorable story. Van burnings and packing in the Bane van (which was an amazing experience), playing shows with buckets on stage to catch the rain from holes on the roof, dealing with you punching our guitar player (The Promise), dealing with you trying to kill our bass player (Another Victim), dealing with you spitting on somebody trying to steal our merch at a show in Italy (spitting may be worse thing you can possibly do there) so on, and so forth. I think one moment that is frozen in my brain is when we were in Another Victim together and every time we were on tour, we stayed with these two girls in Chicago. One was this red head who we both had kind of a goofy crush on. We were well-behaved boys (at the time) and stepping out of line especially with these girls was not an option. So, really, the only thing we cared about was getting a hug. I remember the redhead was leaving early in the morning for school and we both were "pretend" sleeping. We could hear her in the kitchen and although neither of us said anything to the other, we both intended to make a move and get a goodbye hug. As she came through the living room, I did my best "oh, I'm just waking up" stretch and she looked over, smiled and said, "it was nice to see you again.". "You too, thanks for letting us stay here.". She came over, leaned in and I got my well-timed embrace. During this special moment, I looked over and saw you start to stir and give your best "oh, hey what's going on?" stretch and sat up ready to receive your hug. Unfortunately, she did not see this grand effort due to the angle. She turned away from me and walked out the door... leaving you in the cold. You sat there sitting up with a nasty sleep face and let out a defeated sigh. We both laid back and proceeded to laugh for a good 15 minutes.
Being from Syracuse, NY and having grown up with all the Earth Crisis members, is it safe to say that you feel they are the best Syracuse Hardcore band of all time? What other bands from the area were you a fan of?
I think they were the most important band in Syracuse Hardcore, hands down. You really can't even argue that. People can have their favorites and maybe they liked other bands, but I honestly don't think the Syracuse 90's scene would have been nearly as strong as it was without Earth Crisis, DJ Rose and John McKaig. I consider myself honored to be apart of that second wave... going from a spectator to getting involved. That's directly credited to the old guard and the way those guys carried themselves. It never felt like a high and mighty, holier than thou scene. Being just a goofy kid with passion and wanting to know more... the ExC dudes, McKaig, DJ and many others were always welcoming and supportive. In return, years later, that made me want to be able to give the same guidance and support to younger kids coming up. That's what makes this great — building something that lasts. Something that will exist when you're gone — a community. As far as other Syracuse bands of that era, there were so many that were great in my eyes. A lot of it, I'm sure, is due to nostalgia but to name a few: Framework, Bonejack, Infusion, Blood Runs Black, Cross Section, Oversight, Forefront. Pretty much all of 'em.
If you were to take 1 film, 1 CD and 1 book with you to the grave, what would they be and why?
This question is tough because there are so many genres, different kinds of music, books etc. 1 of each would be hard... I have trouble deciding what to eat for lunch. Plus, if it's to the grave I'd be dead so who cares? Ask the worms that are eating me.
Your thoughts on;
Doritos: My favorite chip. I remember eating them as a kid when it was just nacho cheese. They used to have a picture of corn on the package and thinking... this is really good for me.
Nachos: Perfection. I'm a strong advocate of anything involving a dip process.
Taco Bell: It's lost a little bit of magic for me but this was the mecca on tour. The best idea before you eat it and the worst after.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Age: 29
The beginning of it all. How did hardcore enter your life and why, so many years later, are you still involved?
Growing up, aggressive music was key but always in bedroom jam session form. Like so many other kids I'd get home from school, listen to music in my room and that's where it ended. Hardcore was different. It was tangible. It was local. It not only had a face but more often than not it was a face you recognized. You only know what you know so when discovering something new it's only natural that you assume it's new to everyone. I look back on being green to it all and seeing that as the "magic" time for me. It was a minute before I realized hardcore even existed as something other than the local underground. Being over a friend's house and seeing Judge, "New York Crew" on cassette among the pile, picking it up and asking, "Wait.. so there are hardcore bands OUTSIDE of Syracuse?" haha. Today, my involvement is limited due to time constraints and outside interests. I still have love for a scene that gave so much to me but these days I'm just a visitor. Most of my current support should be credited to my iPod. Still make it to the occasional show and much like those first shows it's pretty much stand in the back or to the side, watch and enjoy. Sure... trends and sheep-like social dynamics will always be rampant and just change to fit the times. It's bizarre that something even as simple as dancing is dictated by what is and what isn't. I'm not even really an old head but I've been around long enough to see this thing go around the block a few times. I'm convinced there was never a back in the day where everybody and everything was original. Even at the start, it was always like this. Time has shown us that. It's youth. Being young is all about trying to find yourself and a lot of times you need to jump on a few ships before you find one that's going your way. There are those kids out there though who are truly making it their own just like there were in the beginning. I think that's amazing.
You've been out of the game and spotlight for a few years now since The Promise disbanded. What have you been doing with your time and are there any plans to get back on the stage with any projects?
I'm still quite busy these days as a video editor which was something I was doing full time (High Roller Studios) while in The Promise. That, of course made it difficult to be out playing on a consistent basis which was probably one of the reasons things came to an end. Today work is going well though. I am part owner in a video production company, Space Monkey Studios with my long time friend, Doug Spangenberg. Much of what we do is music-based video projects such as music videos, DVD and TV spots, but recently we have also expanded to doing documentaries. I was the editor on Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry: The Life and Time's of Norman Keith Collins which is a full length feature on legendary tattoo artist Sailor Jerry. Work has been steady and busy which as an owner is always good. Future hardcore projects... never say never. The spotlight was something I never craved nor cared for. I've always been kind of reserved and even when I was in bands, off-stage, I was never that outgoing. My life leaves me little to no time for anything else but I do miss playing shows. Especially the ones in Syracuse. I know everybody gets sentimental about their hometown but The Promise shows there were always really memorable. Certain events, shows or locations come along and bond people who otherwise wouldn't cross paths. That was what our shows were. We weren't the best band but it was a glue that tied old friends together. Maybe by then a lot of us had grown apart but when a show came it was an opportunity to come together one more time. That made it special. For me, the only reason to do another project would be in that spirit. I'd like to see old friends and make new ones.
Over the years, you've gone from writing and singing very militant Straight Edge themed lyrics to more thoughtful and tolerant themed Edge lyrics. Is your Edge going dull?
I think the key word is thoughtful here. Lyrics are a place for expression and if ever there was a time to let out something I can think of no better place, but the actual idea of militant Straight Edge has no reality to it. I never bought into the brass knuckle, bloody knife XXX bullshit imagery. There is nothing in that. Nothing that will last anyway. Anger is valid and the effects drugs and alcohol can have on a family or friendship push that. That's what always pushed me. What you do with that anger is something else though. Do you hate the person or do you hate the disease? Did I hate my Mom before she recovered? Of course not. Did I hate seeing empty bottles scattered about in the kitchen when I would get home from school? Absolutely. Hate the game not the player. Not even sure what militant Straight Edge is. Hating sellouts? Good luck. We all have friends who have lost their Edge... so now what? I don't base my friendship on who enables me. It's ridiculous when people hang out solely to have someone to get fucked up with, so to have that approach to not getting fucked up is a contradiction. My edge isn't dull... it's in focus.
Please give us your most memorable tour story.
I can't really pick one that sticks out among others. Looking back it was all little moments here and there that made it memorable. The worse the situation, I think, usually makes for the more memorable story. Van burnings and packing in the Bane van (which was an amazing experience), playing shows with buckets on stage to catch the rain from holes on the roof, dealing with you punching our guitar player (The Promise), dealing with you trying to kill our bass player (Another Victim), dealing with you spitting on somebody trying to steal our merch at a show in Italy (spitting may be worse thing you can possibly do there) so on, and so forth. I think one moment that is frozen in my brain is when we were in Another Victim together and every time we were on tour, we stayed with these two girls in Chicago. One was this red head who we both had kind of a goofy crush on. We were well-behaved boys (at the time) and stepping out of line especially with these girls was not an option. So, really, the only thing we cared about was getting a hug. I remember the redhead was leaving early in the morning for school and we both were "pretend" sleeping. We could hear her in the kitchen and although neither of us said anything to the other, we both intended to make a move and get a goodbye hug. As she came through the living room, I did my best "oh, I'm just waking up" stretch and she looked over, smiled and said, "it was nice to see you again.". "You too, thanks for letting us stay here.". She came over, leaned in and I got my well-timed embrace. During this special moment, I looked over and saw you start to stir and give your best "oh, hey what's going on?" stretch and sat up ready to receive your hug. Unfortunately, she did not see this grand effort due to the angle. She turned away from me and walked out the door... leaving you in the cold. You sat there sitting up with a nasty sleep face and let out a defeated sigh. We both laid back and proceeded to laugh for a good 15 minutes.
Being from Syracuse, NY and having grown up with all the Earth Crisis members, is it safe to say that you feel they are the best Syracuse Hardcore band of all time? What other bands from the area were you a fan of?
I think they were the most important band in Syracuse Hardcore, hands down. You really can't even argue that. People can have their favorites and maybe they liked other bands, but I honestly don't think the Syracuse 90's scene would have been nearly as strong as it was without Earth Crisis, DJ Rose and John McKaig. I consider myself honored to be apart of that second wave... going from a spectator to getting involved. That's directly credited to the old guard and the way those guys carried themselves. It never felt like a high and mighty, holier than thou scene. Being just a goofy kid with passion and wanting to know more... the ExC dudes, McKaig, DJ and many others were always welcoming and supportive. In return, years later, that made me want to be able to give the same guidance and support to younger kids coming up. That's what makes this great — building something that lasts. Something that will exist when you're gone — a community. As far as other Syracuse bands of that era, there were so many that were great in my eyes. A lot of it, I'm sure, is due to nostalgia but to name a few: Framework, Bonejack, Infusion, Blood Runs Black, Cross Section, Oversight, Forefront. Pretty much all of 'em.
If you were to take 1 film, 1 CD and 1 book with you to the grave, what would they be and why?
This question is tough because there are so many genres, different kinds of music, books etc. 1 of each would be hard... I have trouble deciding what to eat for lunch. Plus, if it's to the grave I'd be dead so who cares? Ask the worms that are eating me.
Your thoughts on;
Doritos: My favorite chip. I remember eating them as a kid when it was just nacho cheese. They used to have a picture of corn on the package and thinking... this is really good for me.
Nachos: Perfection. I'm a strong advocate of anything involving a dip process.
Taco Bell: It's lost a little bit of magic for me but this was the mecca on tour. The best idea before you eat it and the worst after.
