NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – December 2nd, 2023
Public Access and their wildwest-emo sound invite us to Embrace the Meteor and Escape the Fantasy. With their two EPs, the band tells a story that explores the challenges of life and personal growth.
The Crypt hosts shows almost every weekend with multiple bands cycling through. Public Access’ latest performance on Saturday, December 2nd, was the debut of their newest project Escape the Fantasy.
At the Crypt, Public Access performed the EP in its entirety and, as an encore, performed a cover of “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand and another one of their songs, “Green Grass”.
The band’s roots can be traced back to more reserved beginnings than the energetic mosh pits of New Brunswick basements. Singer Jonah Levin and bassist Ryan Puharic started the band when they were in 8th grade. The two settled on the name “Public Access” spontaneously after noticing the phrase written as an address on a map in Ryan’s basement. However, since then, the name has grown to encapsulate the band’s true motive: to make music that can leave an impact on anybody.
Embrace the Meteor, released in 2022, and Escape the Fantasy work together to create a narrative about the ever-changing journey of life. The first delves into this idea from an external perspective, whereas the latter immerses itself in a narrative of internal development.
Ryan wrote most of the lyrics for the EPs during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the band’s members were graduating high school and quickly encountering major life shifts. The lyrics unfolded naturally, drawing inspiration from their constantly evolving circumstances.
“We were realizing how our world was quickly changing, and it’s kind of a scary thing… You get older and realize the world is not always the happiest place, but at a certain point, you just have to embrace it,” Ryan shared.
The concept for this narrative being told through the two EPs was planned for some time.
Jonah said, “We had the whole thing planned for over two years.”
Embrace The Meteor revolves around embracing the challenges that life throws at you. It portrays the understanding that confronting the “impending doom” can pave the way for personal growth and transformations.
The name of the EP is taken from “Composite Character” by the band End of a Year. The song includes guidance like “Have definite opinions but understand the world does not care” and other life advice, which struck a chord with the band.
“The guy in the song said something like ‘embrace the media,’ but it sounded like ‘embrace the meteor’… So we decided we would embrace the meteor,” Jonah explained.
Escape the Fantasy is a perspective swap, portraying an internal battle with oneself instead of the external battle of Embrace the Meteor.
The EP begins with “Exit Strategy,” a song about a departure from the familiar, suggesting something is leaving or someone is leaving you. The concluding track, “Peregrine Falcon,” delivers a powerful message of empowerment and self-realization.
Ryan condensed the narrative by saying, “In short, the album describes what you gain in the loss of innocence.”
The band decided to add a new element to this album via saxophonist Andrew Hoefele, whose additions create a dramatic feel during select moments of the EP.
The members of Public Access stretch across the East Coast. Jonah attends school in Boston, while another member, Matt Perkins, a drummer and singer, attends school in Philadelphia.
The rest of the band’s textured sound is filled out by Liam Muhler, Alex Giarretta, and Josh Skoudis, who all contribute vocally and instrumentally.
“And shoutout to Patrick [Heeb] for ripping it on the keyboard,” Ryan added.
During the band’s interview before their Crypt show, Jonah shared that he arrived that morning and had been awake since four in the morning.
“I literally flew in this morning, I really wanted to be here,” Jonah said.
Liam talked about a time they went to Boston for a show. They left New Brunswick in the morning and came back that same night.
He said, “I was honestly shocked they agreed to do it…[The band] means a lot to us, and you can see it.”
Liam added that as a band, they have one rule, “No one is allowed to have more fun than Public Access.”
You can see their love for music shining through when they play. And it is true: no one had more fun than Public Access. Their performance is captivating. Their ability to draw listeners into a shared experience defines their sound.
Public Access has also performed outside New Brunswick, such as Boston and Asbury Park, even at a festival on a farm near the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border. Still, the basement show scene is the most convenient place for them to perform, and that is what they call home.
The New Brunswick basement show scene has a long history. My Chemical Romance and Thursday are two of many bands that performed in this city’s basements. The intimate settings and personal connections between bands and their audiences grow a community that celebrates creativity, diversity, and a passion for music.
“Just seeing everyone packed in a basement with you and moshing, you feed off their energy so easily; it completely changed our band playing these shows,” Jonah added.
Throughout Escape the Fantasy, Public Access includes audio clips from Kings Of Blah, a 2016 documentary about NYC indie folk cult favorites Frog. The documentary details the band’s decision to chase their dreams and drop everything to complete a week-long tour in the UK.
To Public Access, this is the perfect example of “embracing a meteor” and “escaping the fantasy.” Frog is one of the bands Public Access takes inspiration from. Joyce Manor, Origami Angel, and Pinegrove are among others.
When asked about their proudest moment for the band, no one hesitated with their answer.
Ryan shared that his moment was when they played in Voorhees Mall, which half of the band typically walks through to get to class, during Rutgers’ “Strike Week.” In April 2023, Rutgers Faculty went on strike demanding fair wages, creating a week with no classes for students. Instead, the students spent the week enjoying the nice weather, picnicking out on the lawn, and demonstrating their support for the cause.
“Playing the strike was an unreal experience,” said Ryan. “It was amazing to see the community come together like that, and it’s incredible that we were able to be a part of it.”
“I am most proud that we have single-handedly made this band exist for seven to eight years now,” Jonah added.
There was never a moment where anyone stopped and thought, “We should quit this,” Liam said, “We always keep going.”
Public Access is among the rising bands in the New Brunswick basement show scene. When discussing the scene’s origins, Josh mentioned that My Chemical Romance likely played in the same house that today is the Crypt.
In response, Jonah confidently stated, “One day, they’ll be saying that about us!”
Photos by Kenzie Trikouros and Dan Bainbridge. Words by Kenzie Trikorous. If reposting, please credit @kenzcat3.jpeg and @almostfamouszine.
