Get a good look at Brandon ‘Purdylicious’ Purdy because in a few years, the only place you’ll see him is on a billboard in Nashville. From Hamilton music videos to living the nightlife in Philly, Purdy will keep you on your toes.
Purdy feels the greatest when he’s performing, whether it be for his many bands, his oh-so-legitimate Wiffle Ball career, or even his side hustle as a background actor. When getting into this performer mindset before shows, Purdy has a unique way to visualize his success.
“When I watch snowboarding at the Olympics and they go up—to get points you have to do certain tricks—so when I do fills, I kind of analyze it like the tricks that you get points from,” said Purdy. “If you stick it and nail it, it’s perfect. And the more creative, the more points you get.”
Forget the rage rooms. Try taking Purdy’s advice and invest in a drumset instead.
“Everyone has stuff to be angry about at all times,” he said. “So you just beat stuff up for a half hour and then you’re done and it feels awesome.”
If you need a way to Purdy’s heart, asking him about his admiration for drums is a good way to start. He’s gone from playing in his dad’s lap as a child to playing at local rock venues all over the eastern Pennsylvania area just as a teen. So if you ever have the itch to hear some indie-alternative music, don’t hesitate to go see Terra Flora’s drummer perform at a variety of Philly basement shows.
Balancing his double life as a full-time student and a performer is difficult, but when it comes to something as important as drumming, it’s a no-brainer for Purdy. The passion he has for music is so deep that no matter what obstacles he may come across, music, drums, and performing will be in his life in one way or another.
“I would like to do what I do now but just upscale it to where I’m actually making money off of it and just doing it on a more professional level because I think I can,” Purdy said. “I think it would be possible. But it’s scary, it’s a big gamble because obviously it’s not the most sustainable thing in the world.” There’s much to do to get to where he wants to be whether it be going to college for music business, or it’s something on the side to fulfill his dreams.
His group of four to six friends, popularly known as the CCC (Cheesesteak, Cheesesteak, Cheesesteak . . . of course), went on to create a legacy as large as a 45-player team for Wiffle Ball. Purdy may be Purdylicious on the outside but his friends know that on the court, he is Wifflicious and vicious.
“You don’t wanna catch me on the Wiffle Ball field, I’ll say that. I get pretty frustrated and turn into a beast, honestly.”
Even Purdy admits his limits (“Everything else I do, it’s like I will never be as good as I will be as drums.”). That hasn’t stopped him from dabbling in other performing arts, like playing as an extra in the upcoming indie movie “Elmwood Park.”
“I had a fun time doing background acting. But if my friends aren’t doing it, I’m not just going to reach out and be in a movie by myself,” Purdy said. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find A CCC Production written at the end of an Oscar-winning film someday.
Purdy’s sense of community is very strong. He cares deeply about his friends and makes it a point to say that he’ll miss them the most after high school. Even if he will miss his friends, he and his greatest friend, the drumset, are dying to make new connections.
“I’m excited to make more connections, play with some more people, and play as much as I can.”
As much as Purdy is supportive of the other competitors, who also happen to be his close friends, his top priority is to put on a good show for the Mr. Norristown audience. Don’t let this fool you, though; Purdy is still going for the win against his classmates.
“Competitive is my middle name. I’m still looking for the dub here.”
Purdy is an olympian when it comes to drums. Replace the pedals for a snowboard and the sticks for gloves and he’s practically sliding off slopes like drum fills. To be Purdylicious is to be living like Purdy—passion, concerts, and wiffleball included.
“It’s more just me wanting to put on a good show and I want everyone’s acts to be good so the audience gets an overall sense… as long as it’s a good time for everyone.”
