5 Questions with Jon from Restorations

A few weeks ago, I was skipping around online, as I so often do when I'm bored. I don't even remember how I ended up on Restorations' BandCamp page, but when I did, I was hooked. Within minutes of hearing the band, I had ordered myself a copy of their self titled CD, and when it came in the mail, I found myself listening to it almost every day, all the way through. It's a great driving record, wrought with a kind of jangly sincerity that I miss so much about 90's rock. Restorations have got something for everybody, so do yourself a favor and head on over to http://restorations.bandcamp.com/ amd give it a listen. Thanks to Jon for taking the time to answer my questions. I can't wait to hear what these Pennsylvania gents put out next.

1.) Please state your name, your role in the band, and give us a brief history of Restorations.

I'm Jon. I sing and play guitar in Restorations. We got together to jam while our old band Jena Berlin, was on a break. We liked it better than our old band, so we kept going with it.

2.) Your band has a really cool Americana vibe to it, and a lot of the artwork on your Facebook page seems to be more rooted in stoner metal. It seems like your influences are pretty diverse. What were you listening to growing up, and how has that shaped Restorations?

We listen to just about everything. Everyone was raised on classic rock and punk; so I think this is the natural merging of the two. A lot of what makes our band work is collaboration on songwriting. There's a lot of nuance between everyone's tastes, and that helps make the songs a little more diverse. 

3.) What are your personal feelings on people stealing your records from the ‘Net? How do you acquire music in your personal life, and where do you think the industry is headed in terms of the physical product?

I still stand by the thought that our band couldn't be what it is today without the Internet. Initially, we didn't tour at all. Through the web, our songs got out to way more people than it would have without it.  When we finally did start touring and getting out of town, those people that downloaded showed up and supported. Now that we have that kind of support, we're able to tour more. It helped us out a lot. Thank you, Internet!

I can't speak for everyone in the band, but I download a ton of records. It helps get me into more music and ideas. Most of the bands I like, I will go see a show and buy a record from them.

It seems to me that that's how things are headed. I've noticed a lot of people, in the DIY scene especially, really taking ownership of the bands coming through town again. Seems like there is an uptick in people promoting and attending shows with an emphasis on buying stuff from the bands. While people have realized the benefits of getting music for free, I think they've also realized that that music will go away if they don't support it financially. 

4.) Philadelphia has a long history of turning out great punk and hardcore. Does the city itself influence your writing at all or could Restorations be from anywhere? Who are some great Philly bands Clock readers should check out?

Most of our songs are about Philadelphia, but I try to make them relatable. That's something I've always enjoyed from bands like The Weakerthans. Their songs are topically hyper-local, but people that listen to it from anywhere can go "Thats me! I live in Winnepeg, too! I hate it!" 

Right now is a great time in Philly. There's so much happening; I'd have to write a couple pages about it. Off the top of my head, I've really been enjoying Hop Along, Gods & Queens, Kite Party, and Pissed Jeans. 

5.) You guys just put out a full length, and you're playing some Canadian shows in the coming weeks. What else is on the docket for Restorations in 2012?

After Canada, we're coming back to finish up writing for a 2-song 7in single for Tiny Engines. That should be out in late spring/early summer. Then we're going to keep writing and finish a new full length and record that over the summer. During all of that, we've some shows with Self Defense Family in April, then a couple dates with Red Collar and Signals Midwest in May, and then scattered Fests and weekends through summer. We're also working on getting to Australia, and then who knows? Really excited for what's coming up this year.