‘Our ideal audience is each other’

Wilbur wowed the crowd at Liberty Vintage Motorcycles in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood.

Courtesy Alex Reinhard

Back in New York, from left, are Kieran Kriss, Simon Tangney, and Matt Bevilacqua, performing at the 9 Lounge in Brooklyn.

Courtesy Marty Bevilacqua

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A week after the big show, Simon Tangney, guitarist and singer for Philadelphia-based trio Wilbur, was candid. “Your initial question was, how did you feel that night?” he said. “And the answer is, ‘Like the happiest dude on the planet.’”

The big show — a five band showcase on Nov. 21 at the Boom Room, a recording studio and performing space in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, that attracted an audience of almost 100 — was something of a surprising success for the group of Rockville Centre native sons. Tangney, 23, had only been in Philadelphia since the beginning of 2013 — as had his fellow guitarist, Kieran Kriss. The group’s bassist, Matt Bevilacqua, started the trend, moving down in 2012 to begin a career in journalism.

“I’ve been in Philadelphia for two years, but Simon and Kieran moved down [this year], and we were essentially a new band in a new city with very few contacts,” said Bevilacqua. “So we began by signing on to open mics, and meeting people who knew two or three of our songs, and they might tell somebody who might show up, and … we slowly met people and built this network here.”

The show was a rousing triumph long in the making. Tangney and Kriss began playing together as early as 2003, when their first band, Stereo Therapy, played at the annual talent show at South Side Middle School. About a year later, Bevilacqua joined Tangney and Kriss in Monsters in the Armoire, later adding guitarist Greg Wyler and an ever-changing member in the drummer slot. Soon after, the band changed its name to Wilbur.

“The three of us have been playing together since we were about 14 years old,” said Tangney. “And it lends itself to, but still at the same time hampers the productivity. Because as soon as you’re in a band with somebody for an extended period of time, it’s like you know them a little too well. You’re able to question them a little bit too precisely.”