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. Oscar Capps IV, vocalist of punks Vulture Raid joined TGEFM 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 Vulture Raid been up to since we last spoke ahead of the 2024 Camp Punksylvania?
I’ll tell you first! We’re working on our first full length. Just filmed a music video for it recently. It’s going to be sick. I think it’s my favorite thing I’ve ever worked on so far. Not sure when it’ll be out though.
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?
The punk fans immediately understand what our band is going for…..old school punk meets new school hardcore. Because well….the punk crowd is a bit older than our modern hardcore fans. And they’ve been hit in the head a bit less so they catch on quicker (kidding).
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?
Diversity in any capacity is going to result in a less myopic experience for everyone. Differences throughout life, especially relating to the people responsible for putting the show together, is going to result in different bands having more of a voice. The crowd will be incredibly diverse as well, and as an attendee, it is nice to be interacting with people of similar values and shared experiences as you.
For us, it’s cool to expose different people to our music that might not be familiar with what we do!
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?
I am maybe the most jaded optimist ever. I personally believe that people change very little over the course of human history. I can’t even make the claim that modern technology is helping us now, because iPhones and social media, who’s goal is to keep you on their platforms as long as possible, actually cripple your dopamine. If I grew up in an earlier time, it might be harder to stay warm at night, or find food, but our brains are better wired for this simplicity as opposed to the onslaught of modern tech. I can only hope that while the world might not change its negative tune, that we can expose some people to ideas and experiences that change the world for them. It has been done for me, and it is one of the best fights I can think of. The harm comes though when one takes advice from the wrong people. And while it is a fallacy to condemn potentially correct information purely based on who is uttering it…..I do believe looking at an individuals general fulfillment, level of empathy for others, and impact on their community is paramount in deciding whether or not to heed advice.
Vulture Raid features father & adult son, so we know OC4 came up in the scene. In 2024, I was lucky enough to bring my oldest child to day 2 of Camp and read the joy written across their face as Catbite performed. Its obvious, children make up a pretty big demographic at Camp. Ox from the Skagazine team has been invited to share the stage with Suburban Downgrade and Suicide Machines, Gabe from Kids in the Pit performed with Punk Rock Cellist last year and now his band World of Chaos being invited to perform. Looking at these kids in the crowd, surfing the pit or on stage; where do you see the future of the scene? Are the kids actually all right?
I was once that little kid. And I can only hope to be the person I never had for those coming up. Everything I wish I heard when I was younger will be lyrically present in this upcoming full length. Are the kids alright? I suppose it is up to them and those guiding them. Don’t obliterate your mind with drugs and other addictions. You can and must be better for yourself and those around you. We are here to develop as much as we can in every realm, for the service of others, before we die.
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?
I’m glad you asked this. I try, like Atticus Finch of “To Kill a Mockingbird” to stay the same person throughout all walks of my life…and while I fail miserably at it, I do carry the same values with me. I believe that if one speaks the truth perfectly, and with a large enough audience, they will be killed, silenced, or made an example. Do with that information what you will. Question those who are authoritatively placed in your gaze….and with that knowledge, question if they are being their true selves. The truth is ugly and unclean, but it is our greatest path to a better world….no matter its consequences.
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?
Anything by dead to me, am taxi, or blood for blood haha. Black Guy Fawkes is an example of a truth teller. I have tremendous respect for Ian.
Camp Punksylvania is a smorgasbord of fantastic acts. Which bands are you most excited to see this year?
I’m going to be on another tour and will only be able to come Friday…sooooooo EVERY Friday band!
Was there anything I missed that you’d like to share or dive deeper into with our readers?
No. But HI EVERYONE. If I had run on sentences or typos it’s because I woke up from the most incredible nap and began responding to this. I am imperfect as are you, never forget it and eat ice cream about it. Now I could have double checked it, but I don’t think I will be doing that….goodbye now!
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/