by Ari Roth
While cities such as Los Angeles and New York are generally credited as the birthplace of hardcore punk, there were many other local scenes, many now forgotten and lost to pre-internet time, that were crucial in the development of this genre. One such scene was, and continues to be, in our home state of Pennsylvania. A new film, Pennsylvania Hardcore, seeks to chart the origins and evolution of the PA hardcore scene over the past 34 years. PhilaMOCA is presenting several screenings of the film, with the final one occurring this Thursday, June 12th.
In an interview, Mad Joe of the band Wisdom in Chains describes Pennsylvania as “a mecca of hardcore,” and the film goes on to trace just how that mecca came to be. It features interviews and footage from such bands as Cold Word, Mushmouth, Animalhaus, Bad Brains, Barricade, Vision of Disorder, Wisdom in Chains, Cro-Mags, Dysphoria, No Retreat, Driven By Hatred, Agnostic Front, and many more. The film encompasses micro-scenes from cities all across the state, including Reading, Allentown, Lansdale, Phoenixville and, of course, Philadelphia. The film also discusses early straight edge culture within hardcore, as well as the plague of white supremacist and violent skinhead punks who tarnished the local scene’s glory. Despite the latter danger, hardcore remains vital, and its lasting impact is significant.
As Aaron of the band Sideover says, “you never lose it, as far as I’m concerned. There’s always something in you about this music that you love, and that’s a part of you. That’s what I keep for myself. There’s a part of hardcore that’s in me and that’s taught me a lot, a lot about friendship, a lot about loyalty.”
Pennsylvania Hardcore is an enduring testament to that love and community, and it will be worth your time to attend this screening and experience it for yourself. In addition to giving you early access to an exciting new film, your ticket will also go towards funding a full DVD release of Pennsylvania Hardcore, ensuring that more and more people will be able to learn about this hidden musical legacy.
PhilaMOCA is located at 531 N 12th St, and the screening will run from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here, and check out an extended trailer for the film here.
