Bridge and Tunnel really good punk/post hardcore that gets stuck in your head for days. Great music with fantastically unique vocals. I could use a lot of other platitudes here and as true as they might be, you should really listen to their music and decide for yourself.
Thanks to Pat of B&T for taking the time out to answer some questions.
Hey Pat. How are you?
- Hey! Im actually listening to American Steel right now. There is this one part in the song "Safe and Sound" off their last record that breaks and it sounds like an 80's song. I kind of like it. ha.
Right then, first things first, please introduce yourselves and members of the band to our readers.
- Well I'm pat, I play drums. Jeff and Rachel play guitar and sing and Alison plays bass and sings.
When did Bridge and Tunnel start and how did it begin? Why did you choose the band name Bridge and Tunnel?
- We started playing in 2006, Me and Jeff had been in bands together growing up on Long Island and we were both buddies with Tia so we asked her to join. Then we all kind of knew Rachel from other bands and shows around LI so we figured we would all just try and get together and play. It was cool because most of us had kind of different musical interests that all overlapped a little. The name took a bit, basically "Bridge and Tunnel" is what they call people that come into the city from outer places...like Long Island because they need to take the bridge or tunnel to get there. Being how we all grew up outside the city and now all live in either Brooklyn or Queens, it kind of made sense.
Other than Bridge and Tunnel, what other bands/projects are you all involved with?
- Jeffs other band Thousandaires just recently broke up, I sometimes play in another band called Stolen Parts but we dont do very much because all the other dudes have real jobs and Rachel plays bass in Zombie Dogs and once in a while her old band Each Others Mothers will play a show.
You guys started working on new material. What can we expect?
- We actually just finished tracking for it last week. We recorded with J. Robbins in Baltimore MD which was really great. It's for a full length that should be out sometime before September on No Idea. I think the songs are rad and I'm really excited for it to be out, its been a while since we put out a full length record.
How do you feel the record differs from your previous efforts?
- Its a little different from our last full length...some heavier songs, some lighter songs, its a good mix!
I'm assuming the new music that you're working on is going to also be released on No Idea? and may be(?) yo yo records?
- Yeah, No Idea but maybe we will do a 7" or something with Jan at YoYo before the next European tour.
So you guys are playing the Fest this year, but you also played it last year. Any memorable moments from last year?
- Yup we will be there this year. We played last year but Rachel had a broken hand so we just played old hardcore/punk covers and she just sang. It was interesting, Haha.
What's it like to play in multiple bands at the Fest? Is there a lot of practice in the months leading up to it?
- Well last year I just played with B&T and Stolen Parts. Our buddy Mark from Monikers filled in on bass for the Stolen Parts set, we sent him the songs a month or two before and I think the only practice he had was in his car with Ryan before we played our set. So, no...I guess there wasn't much preparation leading up to fest. Haha.
You've played a lot shows in many cities. What are the main differences between playing shows in the U.S. as opposed to European shows?
- In Europe people are usually more hospitable, even if they dont know your band. Cooking, places to sleep, beer, pretty much everything all around. Usually in the U.S its not so common to find people/places like that.
Which of your shows was the most memorable for you?
- We have been lucky enough play some really great shows and do some really rad tours. We did a tour with Propagandhi a while ago and getting to see them play every night ruled! We also got do to a few shows with Avail and they are one of my favorite bands.
Do you play mostly basements or venues? Preference?
- We usually do a decent mix of both. I think both have appealing aspects. Having a good sound system and a nice PA really helps a live performance but the intimacy of a basement show is something you usually cant get from large venue.
Do you try to go out and see things when you are in different cities?
- Of course, its not always easy with long drives and early loads in's sometimes.
What's your favorite and least favorite part about touring? How do you handle the rigors of the road?
- Personally I'm not the biggest fan of long drives, so I end up usually sleeping a lot in the van. Obviously getting to see our friends and play shows is the good part, the down time in between can be a bit rough sometimes.
What do you usually try and do when you have a couple of days off back home?
- Relax, take a shower, eat some NY pizza and bagels.
What do you do outside of Bridge and Tunnel? Do you guys have day jobs?
- Yeah. Rachel is a bike messenger, Jeff teaches at a Jewish school, Al works at a kitchen store and I work in child care. I also run a graphic design company called Twin Cuts (twincuts.net) with Jeff from Bomb the Music Industry and Dave from If You Make It (ifyoumakeit.com).
What's the scene like in New York and more generally throughout the U.S.? Any cool bands you think people should check out?
- New York always has new bands coming out. Big Eyes is a really cool band we have had the chance to play some shows with.
What have you been listening lately? What are your favorite recent releases?
- I usually listen to the same records on repeat. Banner Pilot, Iron Chic and recently, the new Laura Stevenson and The Cans record has been playing in my house a bunch.
I am a huge Latterman fan. I assume that band was at least a small influence on Bridge and Tunnel. What are some of the band’s other influences? And how would you describe your sound?
- I would say there is a good mix of early 90's emo/hardcore mixed with some Chicago style indie rock. We all really like Braid and bands like Fugazi and even Modern Life is War.
If you could do a split with any band that's currently together, what band would it be?
- For me, probably Hot Water Music or Kid Dynamite. They were two of my favorite bands growing up.
What’s the band’s opinion on file-sharing?
- Computers are crazy these days. It kind of makes sense I guess.
What does the future for Bridge and Tunnel look like?
- Hanging out, some touring, probably drinking a lot of coffee and hopefully keep putting out some new records.
How long have you been playing in bands? What's your motivation and how has it changed over the years?
- Probably since I was 16 or 17? I just enjoy making music with my friends and seeing the world. With the internet and myspace/facebook it became really easy for everyone to be in a band so I think it actually made it a bit harder booking tours. There was just so many kids doing it, it became too easy. Before that you had websites like "book your own fucking life" or you just knew people through other people. You had to mail out demos and actually make phone calls to people. As social networking became more accessible it actually made things harder for bands.
Before the end of today, what would you wish to happen?
- Not have had to work 9 hours straight but some how still get paid.
Thanks for taking time out to talk with me Pat! Anything else you'd like to add/share?
- Thanks dude. Keep it real and up the punx!
