Bucks County’s The Lawsuits are just coming on to the Philly music scene, and we think that they will blend in quite nicely with the rich, ever-growing folk scene that seems to constantly inspire others to join it. XPN meet guitarist/vocalist Brian Strousse, bassist Brendan Cunningham, vocalist Vanessa Winters and drummer Josh Friedman. They are The Lawsuits. You will like them. Here is more about them.
The Deli: How did The Lawsuits start?
The Lawsuits: The four of us met through mutual friends…yada yada yada, here we are.
TD: Where did the band name come from?
TL: It isn’t what you think. It refers to the suit of a lawyer…a three-piece suit…black…maybe even pinstriped…with fancy cufflinks. "The Birthdaysuits" was a close second, but we like to keep it classy when we party.
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
TL: Dr. Dog, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Sam Cooke, Fleetwood Mac, Ween, John Prine, Merle Haggard, Zeppelin, ELO are the first to come to mind, but there are dozens of others.
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
TL: Drink Up Buttercup, Ground Up, and Dopapod are all comprised of various friends of ours from high school so we tend to follow them a bit closer than others. We also love Nicky Egan, Levee Drivers, Toy Soldiers, Birdie Busch, Ween and Dr. Dog.
TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
TL: First Concert – Soulive (Vanessa), The Who (Brendan), Bob Dylan (Brian), and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Josh).
First Album – Spin Doctors: POCKET FULL OF KRYPToNITE (Vanessa), Chumbawumba: TUBTHUMPING (Brendan), Wings – GREATEST HITS (Brian), and Will Smith – BIG WILLIE STYLE (Josh).
TD: What do you love about Philly?
TL: The FOOD, the beer and a shot deal for $3, the history , First Friday’s in Olde City, Tailgating in K-Lot, "World Phucking Champions!", El Camino Real, Fairmount Park. How each street is like a different country.
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
TL: Hearing it referred to as "New York’s little brother", Bikers in center city who ride in the middle of the street, "construction", pot holes that never get filled, Jersey drivers, parking, Duck Tours, PPA, Cab drivers, inadequate subway system.
TD: What are your plans for 2010?
TL: New album, New Tour, New Loves and 2011.
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
TL: Playing a hole in the wall called The Rock-it club in WV. I knew we were with good people when we actually stayed to play the show instead of running for the hills (hotel).
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
TL: Italian hoagie with a huge pickle (it’s all about the pickle!). Turkey LTO oil vinigar motz cheese, or anything with chicken in it.time. Also, Head Cheese with cheese.
(This last question was added by The Lawsuits.)
TL: What’s your favorite thing to do as a band?
TL: Make scrapbooks and discuss the complexities of sex and the city.
(Photo by Nicole Nocentino)
– The Deli Staff