MUSIC

Eye on the prize: National Eye rock the hirsute hipster look.

Get in the Van

How a New Orleans label snatched a scene in Philadelphia.

by Mike McKee

Park the Van Records has been siphoning good Philly talent behind our backs with the sort of tenacity usually reserved for a Nike job fair in Mexicali. Formed last year by Devil in the Woods label boss/publisher Michael Cloward and former label manager Chris Watson, the New Orleans-based imprint has stocked its roster with Philadelphia groups.

The label's inaugural signing was none other than Dr. Dog, a sunny, somewhat psych group of sprawling membership, culled from the remains of the recently defunct Raccoon. In fact, Watson says the label was started with the band in mind.

Well, that's fine-I guess. Only Watson didn't stop there. Giving little thought to the many labels that've earned a 191- zip code, he then turned around and signed the Teeth. And before you could say "neo-liberal globalizing motherfucker," he started drawing up a contract for fellow 215ers National Eye.

"Park the Van has been pretty word-of-mouth from the get-go," Watson squirms, trying his best to give this all a positive spin. "Dr. Dog told us we had to work with the Teeth. Then their guitarist Andrew Jones told us we had to work with National Eye. Then they've told us we have to work with the Capital Years ... we're not signing the Capital Years, but that's how it's worked. The label has just naturally progressed into this big circle of friends."

After Hurricane Katrina, Watson was left to start nearly from scratch, having lost office equipment, a workspace and hundreds of copies of PTV releases. Evidently George Bush doesn't care about indie rockers either.

In a bid to consolidate his power, Watson followed the goldmine of talent he'd already struck upon, shipping the company up north to suburban Schwenksville, Pa., where he could monitor his Philadelphia interests with an even tighter grip.

And now he just waltzes into town expecting a hero's welcome.

Predictably, big business has gotten behind our new neighbor. Industry magnate Sean Agnew of R5 Productions has ponied up to back-scratch for the upcoming Park the Van showcase.

"It's new blood that's sorely needed," Agnew bellows between hearty munches on his unlit cigar. "It's a refreshing take on how a label should operate."

Fat cats like Agnew may be content to replace their monocle and work out their own advantage to a strong pack of bands and a new label with growing national attention. But if you're looking for any sort of popular uprising, don't get your hopes up. Watson even has labor in his pocket.

Zach Miller, guitarist for Dr. Dog, who'll be headlining the upcoming showcase, has nothing but praise for Park the Van. He doesn't see his band as being exploited. If anything, he welcomes Watson's borderless new world order.

"I hope the rest of the world catches on to what's happening here," he says. "I really think we have something very special in Philadelphia. All of our favorite bands are still Philadelphia bands, and now just happen to be Park the Van bands too."

We might as well book the ticker-tape parade already. Welcome "home," Park the Van.

Park the Van Showcase
Thurs., May 4, 7:30pm. $12. With Dr. Dog, Teeth, National Eye + Rifle Nice. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. 866.468.7619. www.r5productions.com