A ROOFTOP SESSION WITH THE ROAD SODAS
PLUS AN INTERVIEW AND MIXTAPE FROM DOUBLE DECKER RECORDS OWNER JAMIE HOLMES
Nazareth punk band The Road Sodas are no strangers to controversy. The night before recording this Rooftop Session with us in October 2018, the band had an annual benefit show in their hometown shut down by the police. Simply put, the four members of the Road Sodas know how to put on a memorable show. In their interview, they describe playing live as their favorite part of being a band and they brought that enthusiasm to the Cigar Factory roof for our session. The band powered through four songs and didn’t stop before launching into a fifth. Enjoy that bonus track not heard on the on-air broadcast.
Also on the show, we preview songs from the bands coming to the next event in the Tape Swap Presents concert series at Lit Roastery in Bethlehem on February 7, 2019: Philadelphia synth pop outfit Pool Radio, fellow Philly artist Lexi Campion of Grayling, and Jordan from Kutztown aka The Most Beautiful Images. We wrap up the show with Shamus’ interview with Jamie Holmes, the owner of Double Decker Records in Allentown. They discuss Double Decker’s 22 year journey from underground DIY punk meeting place in the late 90’s to the current wave of vinyl resurgence in the 2010’s. Jamie also picks out songs to listen to from some of his favorite Lehigh Valley DIY bands throughout the years.
---------PART ONE---------
Pool Radio - Your Friends (3:08)
Grayling - Bidding War (5:25)
The Most Beautiful Images - Dont (8:34)
---------PART TWO---------
The Road Sodas - The Butcher (11:52)
The Road Sodas - Hammerhead (15:43)
The Road Sodas - Interview Part 1
----> Experience playing Tape Swap’s stage at Allentown ArtsFest 2018 (20:36)
----> When did the band start? (22:28)
----> Playing and listening to punk rock (22:55)
----> Bands outside of the Road Sodas (23:18)
The Road Sodas - 302 (24:18)
The Road Sodas - Men in Black (27:24)
The Road Sodas - Bad Year (32:58)
The Road Sodas - Interview Part 2
----> Having their show shut down by the police (36:35)
----> Experience playing live (38:13)
----> Reflections on the Lehigh Valley music scene (38:50)
----> Discussing the band pick (40:04)
BAND PICK: The Moms - Road Soda (40:40)
---------PART THREE---------
Jamie Holmes - Interview Part 1
----> Double Decker’s beginnings (42:01)
The Ultimate Warriors - Bring the Danger (44:04)
Jamie Holmes - Interview Part 2
----> What did you like about the Ultimate Warriors? (45:00)
----> What do you attribute Double Decker’s success to? (45:48)
Pearls and Brass - The Tower (48:04)
Jamie Holmes - Interview Part 3
----> Running a record label (51:25)
----> The vinyl resurgence (52:38)
Daytime Cleaners - Gander in the Garden (54:23)
Jamie Holmes - Interview Part 4
----> What’s the store like inside? (57:02)
----> Cassettes and coffee (57:36)
Supporting our sponsors helps Tape Swap Radio continue to do what we do.
Check out the sponsors for this Rooftop Session who helped make it possible:
The Alternative Gallery is a non-profit arts organization that cultivates and preserves outsider art and culture. Located in Allentown, PA, The Alternative Gallery is housed in the Cigar Factory Artist Studios; providing exhibit and performance spaces, over 40 artist studios, retail spaces, classrooms, a coffee shop, printshop, darkroom, film archive and more.
Super cool and laid back hair salon in Southside Bethlehem! Eskandalo!, pronounced es-KAN-da-lo, means something EXCITING is happening! They are obsessed with making your hair look and feel great in a way that suits your personal style. Eskandalo! are a destination salon people travel for miles to experience, as well as the hometown salon for their local clientele.