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 the preeminent punk band dedicated to Hamm’s Beer, The Chugs 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 should our readers know about The Chugs; your history, your mission, your sound? What do The Chugs have planned for us beyond Camp Punksylvania?
Sam: We’re a punk band that makes music about Hamm’s beer. We live to spread the good word about the golden brew, and we are eternal servants for America’s Premium Classic Beer. We have two six packs out, and we’re releasing the third one through Wally Opus Records on July 18th. After Camp Punksylvania, we’ll be working on a Halloween half-pack. It’s pretty insane and spooky, and you’re going to love it. You have to.
Scott: Sam seems to have covered it. Good job, Sam!
You are gearing up for Camp Punksylvania, what does the festival circuit mean to artists like yourselves?
Sam: It means that we’re finally proving to the masses that Hamm’s beer actually is the best “every man” beer on the planet. It also means a lot of traveling, a lot of meeting new people, and a lot of introducing the new people we meet to the best beer on the planet.
Brian: To me, it’s a dream come true. We did the thing that I’ve been dreaming of since my first Warped Tour. And we did it on OUR terms. We didn’t start this band to “make it”, we started this band because we are 3 best friends trying to spend more time together. We started this band because Punk and Hamm’s belong together, just like us 3. So for 3 dudes writing, singing and drinking Hamm’s to be asked to be part of a punk rock festival, dude, it’s a fucking honor.
Scott: Honestly I’m just glad I get to do this with these bozos! I’ve always wanted to play shit like this growing up in a scene, but knew I’d screw up in front of a ton of people if we did. Luckily I’m in a band that screws up TOGETHER and that’s beautiful.
What album or band or significant singles made you go “Yeah, this is what I want to do” Not just an influence but who or what was the catalyst?
Sam: I don’t remember my first “holy shit” moment, but I do remember seeing The Chariot and Dillinger Escape Plan a million times growing up. Those guys turned my habit of going to shows into an obsession and a hopeful career. As far as The Chugs go, we’ve all been obsessed with The Pukes, FIDLAR, and Jeff Rosenstock for a few years now. Those bands played a big part in this band’s existence.
Brian: “Dammit” by Blink-182. When I first heard that riff, I HAD to learn it. Luckily, a friend left his acoustic at my house and I was able to figure it out. After that it was like, “what else MUST I learn?!”
Scott: Every song on the album Typical Stereo by The Mullets. It changed my life. They were a top tier local punk band. As legendary as you can get in Evansville, IN. The music is great but the real magic was seeing them live. They were funny and unique, and I only wish they were more widely known.
Regarding live sets, what are you most excited to bring to the Camp Punk audience? What do you want the campers to say about your set when they write home from camp this year?
Sam: I’m most excited to get a bunch of Hamm’s beer dumped on me while we play some of our new stuff. I want the campers to compliment my dad bod when I take off my shirt two-songs-in after getting heat stroke.
Brian: I hope the campers are able to see our set, see what we’re all about and think, “I have to do that with my friends!” More specifically, I hope the campers become obsessed with Hamm’s.
Scott: I just hope we play well enough that campers will check out the recorded versions of our songs so that people will hear it correctly and then remember us that way. Is that too much to ask?!
We’ve all got a few, what is your biggest regret? A gig you turned down, advice you didn’t take, what one thing do you wish you handled differently as a musician?
Sam: I regret not starting this band 15 years ago. I also regret not making themed music until this project. It’s just the way to do it.
Brian: My insecurities have made it difficult to trust that I’m worthy. Listening to that is NOT helpful!
Scott: I regret nothing. All of my decisions have led me here to this camp with my dear sweet boiz!
The punk and ska scenes have almost always been at the forefront of inclusion and diversity within the music scenes. The flipside of course is that the gatekeeping in the scene is also very prevalent? Why do you think the genre brings in such a welcoming community and is so happy to let everyone in and also seems to shut the doors so quickly behind themselves?
Sam: I honestly have zero clue. However, inclusivity is something in the forefront of our mission as a band. We try to be the Hamm’s Beer of punk music; cheap, widely distributed across the country, and ready for anyone. So while I don’t really have an answer about gatekeepers, I can promise we’re the opposite.
Brian: Ya know, I was always pretty annoyed with gatekeeping in the scene, because you’re right, we’ve always been welcoming (as a scene) to the outsiders, to the person who didn’t feel like they belonged anywhere, but then we have the “I’m more punk than you” crowd. But if I can be honest, the gatekeeping towards the, let’s say, “overtly conservative” crowd has been a fantastic reminder that the gatekeepers are right sometimes.
Scott: I’ve worked in audio/music for so long now, and the way I see it is that when people are like that, I think on some level they know they’re going to get left behind. That they need to be the first to tell you about some band or tube amp or tube condenser mic or WHATEVER in an attempt to make sure you feel like you’ll never be more of an authority than they are. It’s a bummer, but I hope people will see that the point of all this is just pure creativity and fun and that’s for everyone.
The Chugs make punk music about Hamm’s beer. Camp Punksylvania runs on Malort. We know what you’re drinking at Camp, but what’s your favorite campfire food/snack?
Sam: I like eating the burned marshmallows that my kids ask for and then refuse to eat once they see that I burned them.
Brian: A bunch of Hamm’s and Malort IS my campfire snack.
Scott: Veggie/vegan dogs on a stick!
If Punksylvania were a real camp, what activities are each of you leading?
Sam: Food fights, stealing Jet Skis, and being the worst camp counselors.
Brian: ARTS & CRAFTS! I’m teaching everyone how to make a skateboard deck!
Scott: Hammock nap lessons
What song are you performing around the campfire this year?
Sam: Probably just a bunch of Creed covers.
Brian: I only have a few songs up my sleeve, but if I get the chance, I’m thinking maybe a Streetlight Manifesto song. But I’d need some fellow campers to sing the horn parts.
Scott: Local lawyer commercial jingles, we’re talkin’ Tuley Law or Robert John and Associates baby!!!!
Camp Punksylvania is a smorgasbord of fantastic acts. Which bands are you most excited to see?
Sam: I’m super pumped to see The Vandals, Single Mothers, The OBGMs, THICK, and Teenage Halloween. However, I’m very excited to get sloshed watching every single act.
Brian: The Vandals, Escape From The Zoo, Hans Gruber & the Die Hards, JER… dude, EVERYONE! It’s going to be an amazing weekend! I can’t wait to be too drunk to remember any of it!
Scott: The Vandals, been obsessed with Hitler Bad, Vandals Good since forever. I am mostly being introduced to all other bands, but still VERY EXCITED for all of this!!!
Was there anything I missed that you’d like to share or dive deeper into with our readers?
Sam: Our new six-pack, “Eternal Brewtopia,” comes out July 18th, and you can pre-order that bad boy now! Also, the official “Summer Guy” costume is available for around $35 at Winn-Dixie if you feel like that’s also something you need.
Brian: If you follow Hamm’s Beer on the socials, they post about sales on their merch site sometimes. I was able to score a beautiful, sky-blue, long sleeve tee for only $11. So that’s pretty badass.
Scott: no, I’m good
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/