Interview: Philadelphia's TJ Kong And The Atomic Bomb

By Michael Cerio

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Starting tonight, Milkboy at 11th and Chestnut in Philadelphia is having an anniversary party, but the gift is for you. To celebrate their four years in the city they are hosting three nights of free live music with some of Philadelphia's best bands.

Bringing the festivities to a close on Saturday will be Philadelphia's own TJ Kong And The Atomic Bomb.

Armed with a whiskey-soaked blues swagger, TJ Kong lyrically paints pictures that are complex, noir, and more than anything a lot of fun. It's a soundtrack to late nights and bad decisions.

"We try to bring a little church into the building a little bit. We try to bring a little bit of that dirty stomp, that old southern dirty stomp" says frontman TJ Kong. "We try to make every show a little bit of a tent revival of some sort, but there is a little bit of current themes jumbled in there as well. Basically just talking circles around ourselves with the lyrics and trying to confuse everybody."

Kong and his band are part of a new wave of music in Philadelphia, a rock music scene that has been both supported and celebrated by places like Milkboy. "I've been here for fifteen years and it's about the most ready it's been for a prize fight since I've been here. It's the healthiest I've ever seen it" Kong says of Philadelphia. "As far as vibrancy, and the number of acts, and the amount of actual cash that is going to clubs, and the amount of clubs. As far as all those things are concerned, it's at a high point as far as the fifteen years that I've lived here."

The city has become an incubator for musical talent for many reasons. With lower rent and higher culture, it makes sense for artists to call it home. "That's sort of a rarity as far as American cities go these days, and Philly's right in that sweet spot" adds Kong.

The manifest destiny of music throughout Philadelphia has spread over the years beyond South Street, into the reaches of Fairmount and Northern Liberties. Even to the not so rock n' roll region of Center City with Milkboy. "We all keep talking about like 'is it a bubble, is it gonna burst' and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, and still waiting. It's been many years of waiting" says Kong.

As for TJ Kong And The Atomic Bomb, they slowly look to fulfill a destiny of their own, frequently touring the country and inviting new followers into their musical church revival. Building it city by city, spreading the gospel with grooves and a little bit of grime.

You can see TJ Kong And The Atomic Bomb for free on Saturday August 15th at Milkboy. At 1100 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

To hear more from TJ Kong, check out the full interview above.