Interview with Debo Da Pro & Lee Farrelly From NYHC Comics
NYHC Comics was founded in the fall of 2012 by two long-time friends, Debo Da Pro and Lee Farrelly, who shared a passion for punk, NYHC, comics, and horror. After attending a New York Comic Con event, they felt they could "do this & do it better," leading to the spontaneous creation of the name "New York Hardcore Comics". The company was built on a DIY ethos, with the founders doing everything themselves, from building shelves to salvaging glass cabinets from the garbage. They opened a physical store the following year, which was a community hub that catered to their customers, friends, and family by finding rare items they knew they would appreciate. The founders believe that punk, metal, hardcore, reggae, and ska have influenced the comic book world in countless ways, from the art and storylines to the artists themselves.
In addition to selling comics and collectibles, NYHC Comics is known for hosting music events under the banner "Hardcore In The 914". These events aim to bring together "absolute legends" with the next generation of punk and hardcore bands, providing a platform for local bands to gain exposure. The founders' long-term goal is to open a new location and continue hosting these shows. The local hardcore scene has fully embraced NYHC Comics, making it a central meeting place for fans and artists
What's the origin story of NYHC Comics? How did you decide to blend the world of comic books with the New York Hardcore (NYHC) punk rock culture.
Lee and I have known each other for the better part of our lives, we were always into punk, NYHC, comics, and horror and it only seemed right to put them all together. After a NY Comic Con event we were saying we can do this & do it better, I screamed out "New York Hardcore Comics" right there in my living room, & BOOM! that was the fall of 2012. We worked our asses off both of us with 2 jobs and opened a brick and mortar store the next year.
How do you feel the punk ethos influences the way you run your business and select your inventory?
The Do-It-Yourself Attitude is the core principle of punk rock and that's exactly what we did. We did this whole thing ourselves with no help from anyone. We built shelves, took glass cabinets from the garbage and put our heart and soul into building the shop. We 100% catered to our customers, friends, family and the people in the community. If we knew they were into something specific we would go collect and find rare items, we thought they would like. Anything left over, you'll see at the "Hardcore In The 914" shows or on our social media platforms. You would be surprised at how many artists come from our world or were influenced by our music. Whether it be the art, the storyline or the artist themselves punk, metal, hard core, reggae, and ska has influenced the comic book world in ways you can't imagine.
Besides selling comics, you also host music events. What's the philosophy behind these events, and what do you hope they contribute to the local community?
Yes, besides comics, we are known for throwing music events under the banner "Hardcore In The 914" we try for monthly shows and every single one of them is unique in their own way. We hope people hear of the event, come out, socialize and support their favorite bands. & venues. We pride ourselves on bringing absolute legends together with the next generation of punk and Hardcore. We have had bands like Skarhead playing shows with kids just starting their first punk band.
How do you see the intersection of selling merchandise and hardcore? Do you find there's a crossover in themes, aesthetics, or a shared sense of freedom of expression?
Finding the best in madness merchandise for the masses is to honestly know your audience and community, we've always had a knack for catering to our customers HC, horror, traditional comics, toys, skateboards & other fine collectibles. Once again this community we all share is filled with talent. While the music is at the forefront the art is a close second. From graffiti, to flyers, skate deck art and writing there is so much out there for people with any interest., If we can help connect the artist to the customer we are happy to do so.
Many businesses are moving online. What's the importance of having an online presence, primarily social media in today's retail landscape, especially for a place that's also a community hub?
Well, we originally we started online & trade shows and stayed with it. A good ten years plus before we had to close the brick and mortar. Our eBay and social media outlets are always on. If anyone sees something they like, please feel free to contact us directly or catch it at a next "Hardcore In The 914" show.
Tell us about some of the local bands you've hosted. Is there a process for how you select them, and what's the most memorable show you've had so far?
We've hosted multiple local bands that typically open up for the headliner. They get exposure and experience while totally killing it. People get to hear new music. It's beneficial for everyone. Some of the talent old and new are bands like, Omnism, Mickey's Crew, Deadline, God's Favorite, Grave Heist, Silence Equals Death, Plan B One-Step, RBNX, Fire Is Murder, plus Legendary NYHC OG's Killing Time, Leeway, The Pist, Skarhead, Subzero & Many more.
There was a moment during a "Hardcore In The 914" show, Subzero frontman Lou Di Bella's bass was full blown rockin out on the stage where he jumped up & lifted the neck of his bass at the same time breaking the chandelier, unexpected pyro, sparks and flying glass was everywhere. No one got hurt. And the owner of the venue was happy because he hated that chandelier and it gave him reason to get a new one. So it all worked out. Good times. But most of all getting Eddie Leeway and Bill Chamberlain of the Pist each playing one of their last shows with us was very special.
How has the local hardcore scene embraced NYHC Comics? Do you feel you've become a central meeting place for fans and artists, so to speak?
100% absolutely. They have embraced us and made us feel part of the community since day one, and that was, before we had any store or any logo, name, brand or whatever. We go all the way back before that. People you see at one show you're bound to see at another show. It's the great part about doing these local events. Everybody gets to catch up at the next one a little family, lil food, a lot of fn music and mad fn fun. We get to bring generations together, its funny the kids call our music grandfather hardcore and that’s cool with us. Bringing old and new together and being a center for the scene is what its all about.
What's the most challenging aspect of putting on monthly music events, and what's the most rewarding?
The hardest part is definitely getting bands to commit and show up on certain dates! Lugging equipment around to the different venues that let us set up and keeping the equipment in good order can also be a pain. The most rewarding thing is by far seeing smiling faces and people dancing.
Can you share a story about a time the store or one of your events had a significant positive impact on someone in the community?
Getting to do our friends Crazy Eddie's record release show in the store was one of our favorite moments. So many of our regulars from the shop and friends from the scene showed up and having the two worlds together in the store was awesome. We were able to turn so many regular kids into little punk rockers.
What's the biggest misconception people have about the hardcore scene or the comic book industry, and how do you work to change that?
THAT IT IS ALL NOISE AND VIOLENCE WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE, WE ARE THE MOST POSITIVE SCENE OUT THERE. EVERYBODY HELPS EVERYBODY, IF SOMEBODY FALLS IN THE PIT, PEOPLE RACE TO PICK THEM UP. YOU DON'T BE WAITING CHANGE THAT also starts at home, but when we're together, the each one teach one mentality is the best form of education. People with experience, sharing insight, old to new and vice versa. It's a beautiful thing!
In your opinion, what's the state of the local New York hardcore scene today? Is it as vibrant as it was in previous decades, and how do you help keep it alive?
We're bigger, badder, stronger than ever! Seeing the next generation playing our shows gives us hope not only for the scene but for humanity! The scene is alive and well in the 914, old young boy and girl they all killing it!
What are your long-term goals for NYHC Comics?
Closing our brick and mortar location was heartbreaking. But family, jobs and life unfortunately got in the way. Being able to open a new location and continue putting on shows would be the most beautiful thing.
In one sentence, what is the most important thing you want people to know about NYHC Comics?
We are out here to support the scene and help bands get their music out there. HARDCORE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyhccomics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyhccomics/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nyhccomics4Life
Twitter (or X, or whatever): https://x.com/nyhccomics
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kPwyGp63yE
Contact: nyhccomics@gmail.com