(Credit: XIII PFP)
After a decade of dormancy, Lansdale hardcore band XIII PFP returns to the stage this Saturday at Poppy’s Tavern in Hatfield. LMI and The Galaxy Has Eyes will be opening the all-ages show starting at 7 p.m. The $15 cover will benefit Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center.
Thirty years ago, XIII PFP carved out the foundations for the local hardcore scene in the Lansdale area. Taking the D.I.Y. ethics of independent music at the time and utilizing them to every degree within the confines of local venues and halls.
Tireless work was done by members through show promotion, bringing out-of-town bands to the area and showing the fruits of their labor with the bands they shared the stage with all over the U.S., as well as the bustling local scene of the time.
Check out the entire XIII PFP discography for free here.
Singer Mitch Martinez printed merchandise for bands, as well as ran a record label and mobile record distro. Providing such services was important in the archaic days of music distribution before the modern internet. Their overall demeanor was a very positive one, with motivated and angry lyrics overtop a heavy groove with leads from a horn section. To this day, XIII PFP continues to remain one of the most unique and important bands to ever call Lansdale home.
XIII PFP played for the last time 10 years ago at the Lansdale VFW at a packed show with long-time friends Dysphoria, who have remained selectively active in recent years as well.
Making this Saturday slightly more special than the last time the band played is the lineup that XIII PFP will be boasting at this show. With four guitarists, two bassists, a drummer, a vocalist and second vocalist that plays trumpet with three other horn players, the stage is set to be unlike anything the band has ever done before.
The cast of characters playing with the band Saturday is comprised of members of several different lineups throughout the years, as well as two new faces, one of them being the father of one of the guitars players. Truly a family affair when it comes to the Lansdale scene.
But what does it stand for? (Credit: XIII PFP)
XIII PFP original lineup, at Scarlet O'Haras in Bethlehem (Credit: Bill Evans/Facebook) Poppy’s Tavern has been hosting many musical events in recent months. Weekly open mics happen on Mondays, hosted by Adam Frei. Various acts have played inside and outside in the separate event space, providing another great venue for live music in the North Penn area that can be utilized by any number of performing acts
For anybody that can make it out for XIII PFP at Poppy’s this Saturday, perhaps this is a perfect opportunity to check out two of the younger active bands representing local music in the area with LMI and The Galaxy Has Eyes. If you like what you hear: two weeks later they are both playing with another even younger band doing the same, Quakertown’s Big Handsome, as well as Trash Mountain from Ohio.
Lansdale’s LMI has been playing shows all over North America and Europe for the last few years. Recently, they played the Satanic Rave at Underground Arts in Philadelphia with staple Philly bands such as Punishment and The Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza.
The Galaxy Has Eyes just completed a new record, and the aforementioned show on Nov. 22 at Harper & Penny’s will be the release show for that record.
It’s been an absolutely insane year for music in the area. It has become a destination again for musicians of all walks of life and styles. Weekly open mics at multiple venues, tribute acts several times a month, DIY shows several times a week at this point. Truly amazing to see music continue to be self-sustaining and revered here, the way it was meant to be.
