Pack your bags, grab your bug spray, throw back a shot of Malort and follow the inflatable hot dog as Riot Squad Media is returning to Northeast Pennsylvania to take over the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert, PA with the 5th year of Camp Punksylvania! The 3-day festival with multiple stages and amazing national and local acts like Dillinger Four, The Lawrence Arms, The Vandals and Bridge City Sinners, will take place from 20 June until 22 June. Tickets are available here. TGEFM had the opportunity to speak with Camp vets No Complyance, to discuss this year’s festival for the latest installment of this year’s Camp-centric interview series: Happy Campers. Check it out below and I’ll see you at the campfire!
Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview! What has No Complyance been up to since we last spoke ahead of the 2024 Camp Punksylvania?
Anthony: We’ve been up to our usual! Playing, recording, and just trying to navigate these crazy times
John: We’ve been chugging along writing new music and went up to the studio a couple of times last year to track some new music for our new album. We made an appearance on the Sloppy Seconds “More Covers Than They’re Worth” Volume 2 compilation album from Rejected Youth Records. We’ll be heading back to the studio late July to track some more songs.
Jesse:we have been playing shows in the area including Rochester, Pennsylvania, and Camden near us as of recently. We’ve also been doing interviews like this one and it’s always fun to be a part of it!
We currently have an album that is very close to being released. We’re very proud of the work we put into it and can’t wait for people to get their hands on it. Setting up shows and networking. Growing our group of friends. Getting through our daily grind. Couldn’t be more excited about Camp Punk as well as our show at Funk & Waffles in Syracuse NY on July 19th. I feel like we ate there enough at this point to earn a gig haha!
James: We’ve been playing whatever shows come our way. Lately, it’s been Rochester and parts of Pennsylvania. We played on a compilation that was a tribute to the Sloppy Seconds and we were also featured on an Australian podcast.
John: were hoping to drop a new record this year with new new artwork as well.
Anthony: A NEW ALBUM!! We were hoping to release it before camp but the artwork was delayed. The name is Spread The Word I’m not 100% if we announced that yet. That may be an exclusive?! Haha!
James: We’re putting the finishing touches on a new album that’ll be out soon. In the meantime, we’re playing at Funk & Waffles in Syracuse on July 19th.
This will be my 3rd consecutive year seeing you perform at Camp Punksylvania. What makes you want to come back and perform at Camp again? How has it felt being able to watch this thing grow from the inside?
Anthony: First and foremost Laura and Terry are the reason we come back! Especially Laura because we represent the 315 for her. That’s definitely special to me. I also love getting to see all the people that I can’t see often. Watching it grow from the inside is just insane. Truly lucky to be part of it. Camp Punksylvania has definitely cemented itself as one of the go to festivals every year.
Jesse: Camp Punk is something I look forward to next year the moment we’re done with the current year. It’s just a safe space for everyone and that’s growing ever more important the way things are going. We see friends that feel like a family. It’s full support for everyone. For artists, for fans, for creativity and for individuals and originality. I couldn’t be more appreciative to be a part of this event. To watch it grow from a couple years ago and to see the effort being put into this. This event is something so needed for all of our community that I feel lucky to not only help where I can but also to be able to play. The impact of a fully supportive event cannot go without saying.
James: Camp Punksylvania has provided us a fun way to do what we do while watching some of the best shows we’ve ever seen! It’s been amazing watching the festival grow as fast as it did and I’m grateful to be apart of it.
John: The Atmosphere of camp is what keeps me coming back, even if I wasn’t in a band I know I’d have a great time. The organizers are wicked awesome and put a lot of thought into what they’re doing. Nothing is half assed or stung together as if it was an afterthought. It’s a pretty awesome feeling watching camp grow every year. It must feel very validating and I’m very proud and happy for my friends for making their dream happen.
The Camp Punksylvania socials recently posted about the inclusivity and diversity of the team and lineup. From an artist’s perspective, how does the diversity of the lineup and the volunteers improve Camp for the artists and the attendees?
John: I think it’s a great idea. It encourages people to step out of their comfort zone and do something they wouldn’t normally consider doing.
Anthony: It lets everybody know all are welcome. What truly matters is who you are as a person and there’s no shortage of great people at camp. I think that’s why it’s grown so rapidly. As the saying goes WE KEEP US SAFE!!!
James: I think the diversity of the festival promotes the acceptance of people in the queer community as well as brings even more creativity to the Camp.
Jesse: the inclusivity and diversity at Camp is the foundation of which the support is driven. When I talk about a supportive event, I talk about mental health. There are a lot of people in our punk community that truly need our help. A place of acceptance and a place to be yourself. Unfortunately that is becoming more difficult.
We’ve touched on this in previous interviews, but many of the Camp Punx artists have not been afraid to get political and in the interest of bluntness, this timeline is kinda way fucked. With all the shit going on, many of us need the community that comes from these small acts of rad at Camp. How do you hope the festival benefits the scene and community?
Jesse: I hope that the festival benefits the community not just in having the best time of your life, but as a confidence booster for anyone feeling like they have to hide themselves because they don’t feel safe. For a country that claims that it’s free, you’re not free to do shit as long as you don’t fit the status quo.
Anthony: To benefit the scene you need newer hungry bands and I think camp is really the only festival to accommodate that. It’s a place where smaller band can build their community and network. The main hope is that the festival continues to grow at the rate it has and we can continue to grow as a community too.
John: With everything that’s going on in this country I hope it brings some light that you’re not alone and that you’ll have a place that you’re welcome.
James: I hope Camp Punksylvania gives people a safe space to feel accepted, and say how they feel in this bat shit crazy world we’re in now.
Camp Punksylvania runs on Malort. No Complyance has a bit of a Camp reputation for their Jungle Juice. With all that in mind, we know what you’re drinking at Camp, but what’s your favorite campfire food/snack?
Anthony: My wife makes this amazing spicy grilled chicken every year. That’s definitely the highlight. Other than that I don’t really snack much.
John – Doghots for sure. Less bread more meat.
Jesse: it’s not Camp now without our Jungle Juice! Haha! I’m always a sucker for “fair food” so last year I liked the sausage and peppers. I also love bbq, especially bbq ribs. I’m looking forward to trying anything new as well. As far as camp snacks, we’ve been cooking spicy chicken and our new item, doghots lol! I also like beef jerky that I’ll probably bring this year.
James: For a campfire snack, I love the classic S’more’s before the smoke finds me.
In a world where students are being detained for exercising their First Amendment rights in a student newspaper, its not far-fetched to assume artists could find themselves under fire for their lyrics. With the current political climate, are you finding it more challenging or invigorating to approach the causes you support musically? How do you think musicians can or should traverse such rocky ground right now? What steps, if any do you take to keep your personal life separated from your musical career?
John – I think it’s important to be blunt and honest with the facts. There’s no room for delusion when it comes to the truth. It’s up to the people to change this country for the better and the best way to do that is to speak up. If communicating that I fucking hate Nazis and racists though music lands me in jail, so be it. It doesn’t take away the fact that they’re a plague to society. I don’t feel like I necessarily separate my musical career from my personal life because a lot of the time it’s intertwined.
Jesse: I find it more invigorating to support our causes because as we grow more into a society that decides to create more problems, our causes become more needed and will be shouted louder. I think musicians should not be afraid to say what they want to say. The louder and more crude the better. If people don’t like it then too bad. It’s more about being true to yourself and what speaks to you. I don’t really separate my personal life and my music much. I speak about what we’re all about and I’ve never fit in because of it but I certainly don’t want to in a world of blatant ignorance.
James: I find it invigorating to speak my mind through our music along with my bandmates. The current political climate just fuels our flames. I think musicians should always say what they feel in order to keep the first amendment alive. I don’t really separate my personal life from my musical career. I’m vocal about my opinions in politics and use the band to say what I think with more emphasis.
Anthony: The approach doesn’t change. You can’t be afraid of what’s gonna happen to you if you speak out. Every other musician should have the same mind set. There’s no room for ambiguity in your opinion during these times. Everybody has to stand together. I don’t think there’s much separation between my personal and music life, especially for people that have heard our music. I’ll always wear my heart on my sleeve.
One of the coolest moments from Camp last year was the Career Mode set when Black Guy Fawkes and others joined the band to perform a few pop-punk and emo covers. Career Mode is returning this year, what songs could they perform to get you back on their stage to grab their mics?
Anthony: They played some My Chemical Romance last year but I want a deeper cut. Give me “Thank You For The Venom” and I’ll be on that stage. “The Decline” would be a second pick. I don’t care if it takes half their set lol!
John: “New Girl” by Suicide Machines or “Superman” by Goldfinger would be dope!
Jesse: I would love if Career Mode covered “Spokesman” by Goldfinger. It was always one of my personal favorites.
James: I would love it if Career Mode would play “Bloodstains” by Agent Orange
Camp Punksylvania is a smorgasbord of fantastic acts. Which bands are you most excited to see this year?
Anthony: Get Dead is top for me. They’re so damn good live. Seeing FEAR is definitely bucket list shit. Of course I can’t forget about our homies in Suburban Downgrade, Working Class Stiffs, Ship of Fools, Vulture Raid, On The Cinder. The whole lineup is absolutely stacked.
John : I cannot wait to see FEAR and Direct Hit!
James I’m most excited to see Beef, Fear, Get Dead, War on Women, Ship of Fools, Suburban Downgrade, Cardboard Homestead and Black Guy Fawkes & The Co-Conspirators.
Jesse: The bands I’m most excited to see are Fear, Get Dead, Suburban Downgrade, The Working Class Stiffs, Cardboard Homestead, and Bridge City Sinners to name a few. It’s always such a great mix of talent.
Was there anything I missed that you’d like to share or dive deeper into with our readers?
Anthony: I mentioned this in the last interview we did and I think I’ll keep mentioning it until Johnny acknowledges it. It’s the biggest travesty in punk history that Johnny Rotten outlived Joe Strummer. I so badly wish it was the other way around. It’s still not too late to die you talentless fucking boy band hack
James: I just want to say thanks for the interview! Camp Punksylvania has been one of the best experiences we’ve ever had as a band and I cannot be more excited to be apart of it again!
Jesse: I just wanna say a big Thank You ahead of time for all the efforts of everyone who took part in making the event happen. I can’t say enough what Camp Punk means to everyone involved including myself.
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/