Today we’ve got a bonus edition countdown for Riot Fest, part one. Bands that don’t need any introduction. Bands we’ve seen before. And footage from those shows. Violent Femmes; the sing along band of our generation. From Coachella playing their debut eponymous album through (though they lost count of the track order on the second side). And Rancid from their Boston To Berkeley tour with Dropkick playing in Denver doing a song by Riot Fest 2019 band Cock Sparrer.
Riot Fest 2019 Countdown 11 Weeks – Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes have an interesting past. They were originally a side project from guys from Drive Like Jehu and Rocket From the Crypt. Those two bands were around in the 90’s, and while I recognize the names I never really paid much attention to them. Twenty years later I can say I probably should have. If only they were on ‘HFS or played Hammerjacks or the 9:30 Club. From San Diego. Look real fun live. Another aftershow wish.
Riot Fest 2019 Countdown 11 Weeks – Surfer Blood
Surfer Blood are from Florida. They’re not a punk as some of the others, and they mix in a bit of surf guitar. Kinda like a softer more melodic poor man’s Pixies. But a great sound and might be a good soft set between harder acts. Or a prime choice for an aftershow.
Riot Fest 2019 Countdown 11 Weeks – Bob Mould
This week, a couple more of my top 5 must sees for Riot Fest. And my #1 must see (there are a couple #1s) at Riot Fest. Getting back to our wheelhouse after the oddities of Die Antwoord and The HU. The man that fronted one of the most influential punk/post-punk band to a couple that are going now.
Bob Mould is a bucketlist see for me. Husker Du was one of my favorites. And their album Flip Your Wig is one of my top 20 albums of all time. Bob Mould fronted them and with their drummer, Grant Hart, dying a few years ago this is the closest I can ever get to seeing Husker Du. But Bob Mould did a lot more. His solo stuff and his band Sugar were all over ‘HFS in the 90s, and it’s good. The setlist he’s played recently includes all of it. And the band he’s put together is a three piece a la Husker Du. They rock like any punk three piece needs to. And his current drummer? From Superchunk (“Slack Motherf….er” and “Skip Steps 1 and 3”); another fave that I saw at Coachella most recently (a banner day also included Frank Turner, Toy Dolls, and Motorhead). Bob Mould has a new album out and is doing a solo tour but I hope he brings his band and plays some Husker Du.
Riot Fest 2019 Countdown 12 Weeks Out – The HU
They scared me the first time I heard them. And was more scared after seeing the videos. The HU are from Mongolia, ride Harleys, play traditional Mongolian instruments that have been plugged in, and sing about Ghengis Khan. Whaaaat? They only have a couple of songs available and have their debut album scheduled to drop just before Riot Fest. So the sample size is small. But, like above, just watch and figure it out. And try to tell me they would be boring.