Partial Post

Band:

Partial Post

Members: Scott Shaffer, guitar; Earl Ruppert, bass; Dave Beckwith, drums; Jason Fry, lead vocals; Kevin Beckwith, backing vocals

Who we talked to: Fry, 38

What have you been up to since the band parted ways? We don't get to see each other too much anymore. We've been done actually for just over six years. Everybody just moved on. I have a grandson now. Earl still plays. He's the bass player for Headcase now.

Why did you decide to get back together for the show? I talked to Earl one day and he said, "You know, let's put something together." Then he said, "We've got a nice show coming up at The Glad Crab." I said "Hey, sure. Let's get together. Let's play." So, we practiced a little bit. It's kind of like riding a bike. (Laughs) You never forget, really.

How did Partial Post originally form? Once again, Earl and I were just sitting around one day. I knew Earl played bass and . . . I've got books and books full of lyrics. He said, "We should put something together just for fun." Back in the late '90s, original music was where it was at. (In 1996) We put together four originals and (went to Bullet Records) to record a demo. Our first show was kind of like more than we ever anticipated. We were just doing it, you know, to go out, drink a couple beers and have some fun. Then, we got with Pegasus Productions. (It was) one of the busiest times in my life, but . . . I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Where did you guys play back in the day? Just local here, (we played at) Fat Daddy's. We came in second for the Edge Fest. We played in New York at CBGB. We placed second (out of 7,000 bands) in the Intel (New York) Music Festival in 1997.

Where you able to meet some bigger acts? We played with everyone from Helmet to Linkin Park. They were just coming up. We played over at the Chameleon (Club) with them. They were just great guys. Why did you guys decide to split up? We had children. I missed the first six years of my daughter growing up. I missed a lot of good things. We were chasing this dream. The band started as friends, and we wanted to finish as friends. Things were just taking a turn for the worst, and there's no (amount of) money in the world is ever worth anything like that.

How has the scene changed? When we first started in the late '90s . . . we started at a place called Thunder Rock. They decided to open it up live, original bands. It turned out to be the original music scene in York and that was just, like, maybe a year or two after Live broke. So, York was finally on the map. It wasn't Seattle by (any) means, but it is something to be proud of. The original music is kind of by the wayside again. (Now) it looks like the original scene is coming back and, you know, I just hope that it continues to go that way. Smalls closing down, that might take a hit on the original scene. But Club 19 out in North York is another place where they're doing original bands.

Original music seems like a tough sell in the area. How did you guys make it work? We hit the college radios. People don't realize how many people listen to college radio. A lot of these younger bands realize that college students are (who) will pay to see your music. Most of them are from out of town, so it's a good ear. Let them take it back home . . . and turn their friends onto it.

Are your fans getting excited for the reunion show? It's funny how the word spreads. It isn't like we're out postering everything. (Before) we did a lot of underage shows. Now these kids that (saw) us then are now of age. It's this whole new ear of kids (who)want to see what's going on. It's going to be a huge turn out. I'm so hyped. - ERIN McCRACKEN, FLIPSIDE STAFF

If you go

To listen to the interview, visit flipsidepa.com.