Friday, October 14, 2011

Neil Patel (Back to Back Records) interview

Neil is one half of the duo that runs Back to Back records.

Alright, Back to Back records hasn't been around too long but has already been fairly prolific. For the people who don't know, give some background about the label.

It was Ned's idea. We hung out in March of 2009 and he told me about it. I always wanted to do a record label and we seemed to be on the same page with everything, so we decided to do it together. We both love hardcore and want to put out records we think everyone will like. Putting out records in hardcore is setting music in stone and that's all we wanna do.

What records have you put out so far?

So far we've only put out the Disengage "Look Back" record. Disengage is Ned (Fellow CEO), Shane and Ben from TF and Dan Mills, who learned how to play bass just so he could be in this band. It surprisingly did really well and people love it, so we were really glad.

The new Stick Together record is probably in plant or out now if you're reading this. I love Stick Together. I'm not saying that out of a biased view either. They're in the pool of new hardcore bands I'm really stoked on. I think kids are pretty into them. They killed it at day 1 of This is Hardcore so that was cool to see.

We plan on doing a split release with Lockin' Out for the United Youth 7" so that should be cool.

I know some people have been saying that BTB is only putting out Wilkes-Barre bands and that's true, but that's because we're just starting out and most labels start off with friends’ bands. Both sides are helping each other at the same time.

I've always thought that it was cool when labels put out records mainly from their area. Makes the label seem a little unique and more like a real scene or whatever.

Yeah, it would be great to be one of the bigger labels in hardcore but like I said earlier, we just want to make bands music into records so that shit is a part of hardcore forever. What better way to do that than to do it from your scene? I intend to do some Atlanta/Philadelphia bands down the road also.

Cool. So far, the bands that Back to Back has put out have had a similar sort of late-80s New York youth crew sound. Was this a style that the label purposely leaned towards or did it just coincidently happen?

That's true. I just think that's the style that's really popular right now. We never intended on doing one style of hardcore. I don't think any hardcore kid should disown one style for another. A lot of Youth Crew bands nowadays seem to set themselves apart from the rest of hardcore and I think that's stupid. Hardcore is hardcore.

You mentioned that United Youth is doing a new record that you are going to put out along with Lockin' Out. Who is United Youth? How did the partnership with Lockin' Out happen?

United Youth are 5 youngins from Wilkes-Barre. Wilkes-Barre has a good amount of little ones in their hardcore scene and a group of them decided to get together and write some songs that ended up sounding pretty good.

Lockin' Out has had ties with Wilkes-Barre forever, Greg put out a Cold World Record, which is Ned's older brothers band. Some kids from Boston came to the Disengage record release and saw United Youth play some jams and Sam asked them to be on the Triple B (SUPPORT!) Showcase. Greg saw them there and he approached us about it.

Anything else planned for Back to Back? When is the new Stick Together record coming out?

Nah, just that for now. I wish I could say we were swamped with things but we're just not haha. We plan on doing more bands/records in the future for sure though. Stick Together record will be out for sure by January.

Alright, you grew up in the Atlanta hardcore scene. What was that scene like growing up in?

The best. I love Atlanta. I think most bands that come through and play there will tell you it's usually their favorite spot to play. We've never had overwhelming numbers but what we have are kids who always come out and do what they can. The scene is great. All my closest friends still love hardcore and are still Straight Edge. Foundation is pretty successful and I'm proud of them, it's good to see an Atlanta band do the things they are. Glad that's the scene I was raised in.

You moved to Philadelphia last year. How are the scenes different?

Philadelphia is way bigger. Joe Hardcore has the scene on lock here and is doing some super ill shit. The shows he puts together are ones I couldn't even imagine me seeing a few years ago. We don't get things like that down there. It was a big deal when the Gorilla Biscuits reunion tour hit us. In Philly you'll get kids from Jersey, Delaware, B-More and all the PA burbs to come out. Everything up here is a lot closer and I think that benefits all scenes in the Northeast. Shows are never too far away.

Top 3 Atlanta hardcore bands and why?

1. Foundation. That's my generation. I'm close to the members of the band, grew up with them, they took me to shows. I'm glad to see they're doing the things they are. They're going to Europe in a few months. I know they're gonna kill it every night. I don't think any band goes off more than they do on stage and still sound ill.

2. Cold Stare. Favorite Atlanta Hardcore demo. They were short lived, but those shows were super fun. They had that ill style and I wish they did more.

3. Paid in Blood. This was before my time, but that demo might be the hardest demo an Atlanta band has ever put out. Atlanta Straight Edge! Don't Forget the Point!

Atlanta has always had a love for mid-90's hardcore (Chokehold, Left for Dead, Trial, Indecision). That kind of shit always goes over well with me. Hopefully BTB can put out a band like that.

What was it like being a Phillies fan in Braves country?

It's not a big deal haha. I'll get asked why, and once I answer their reply is just, "Oh, The Phillies suck." So it's not bad. I'm not saying their fans are stupid or suck, but the majority just don't seem to care that much. I was at a Phils/Braves game and I was behind the Phils’ dugout and everyone around me was Phillies fan. Maybe it's just too hot, I don't know. I have a lot of friends who are really passionate though. Respect to real fans. David Justice is cool, Chipper is not.

Fred McGriff was cool.

Yeah, they had some cool players, man. That pitching staff in the 90's may have been the greatest ever.

Yeah, even though I hated the Braves, I always thought the pitching staff was obviously really good. Smoltz should have retired a year earlier so that Glavine, him, and Maddux could go into the Hall at the same time. Would have been cool.

Yeah I know people anticipated on that happening. Smoltz has too much pride.

5 records you are currently into and why

Does this have to be current/hardcore?

Nope, just 5 records in general you are into. Could be 100 years old or just came out yesterday, and not just hardcore.

Triple B AHC Comp. Pick that shit up. Every band on that record kills it. Respect to Sam and the Triple B Team.

Vado- Slime Flu. Vado is Dipset’s newest commodity. If you're into hip hop check it out. Throw that Drake shit in the Trash. SLIMEEEE!

Kool G Rap- Live and Let Die. I think this record is a hip hop essential. One of my favorites. Hardcore rap at its finest.

The Stone Roses- The Complete Stone Roses. They're one of my favorite bands. If you like Brit Pop this is a must have and you'll be hooked super quick. There are times I find myself listening to this all day. Ian Brown is the coolest too.

Ringworm- Birth is Pain. Ringworm is the illest band, they never disappoint. My friend Michael told me a story about him pouring beer on his hair and combing it with a switchblade. What a nut. Dollar Whore is one of my favorite songs. Girls suck.

Favorite wrestler and why?

Stone Cold. Cause he kicks you in the nuts and then breaks your neck. I know that's not really what he does, but up until recently that's what I remembered. I think that's cooler so I’m gonna stick with it.

Haha alright that works. Where can people check out Back to Back and related things on the internet?

Backtoback.Bigcartel.com is where you can cop all the records and shirts.

backtobackrecords.com is where you can keep up with us. It's a Tumblr so if you have one you should subscribe.

Alright, cool. Before we wrap this up, what are some newer bands you are into that people should check out?

Stick Together for sure! Shameless self promotion, but they really are one of the illest bands doing it right now. This band out of Cali called Take Offense. Don't Break! super super youngins from the Doylestown Hardcore scene.

Thanks Neil. Anything else you want to say/address/plug/shout out/etc.?

Thank you for interviewing me. This zine is cool, I hope you do more. Shout outs to all my friends on the road! Be safe! Ned. Temple Crew. Hank, Josiah, Ryan, Jude, Tomas, Champion, Justin, JoeBol, Bob, Aaron and Stan (UnitedYouthReport!), Wilkes-Barre Homies, Long Island Homies. I'm probably missing a lot. I'm tired, sorry!

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