Fishbone – Friday
Legends. Saw them a ton in late 80s and early 90s DC. Freaking crazy spastic shows. Their debut EP is one of my favorites…every song hits. But, we saw them in 2017 at Riot Fest and they weren’t that good. One thing, they were doing a full album play of Truth and Soul. And I know Riot Fest loves their full album plays but even the best albums have dead spots. And after the first two songs of the set (Ma and Pa and Freddy’s Dead) the air went out of the show. Plus that lineup had a couple of fillers. In 2018, the entire classic lineup (except one) reunited for the first time since the 90s. Most notably trombonist Chris Dowd. I got lucky to see this lineup at a super small venue with like 50 people in Scottsdale. It had to be one of those trial shows they were doing to test out the band chemistry. And they freaking killed. I hope we get them back. Would be a great addition to the aftershow schedule in a small place again. Punk, Ska, Funk, Metal, Reggae, Soul all in one big ass cool as shit blender.
Living Colour – Friday
Really don’t need an intro for our generation. Still have Vernon Reid on guitar and Corey Glover (sans Body Glove wetsuit) on vocals. Listen to Cult of Personality and put it in today’s world. Like Ozzy, these guys were years ahead with songwriting. Actually kinda sad this is still as relevant as ever. Memories Can’t Wait is a cover of Talking Heads, btw.
Hepcat – Saturday
We became fans of them in the mid-nineties when they signed on Epitaph’s Hellcat label. That was immediate street cred. Plus they ended up at one of the many Warped Tours we went to. Kinda ska, but not the goofy 90’s ska of the time. More jazz-eque and cool kinda like the 2Tone bands of the late 70s. I remember their singer was in the movie Swingers. They disappeared from my radar for a long time. Turns out they had a couple of tragedies in the lineup. But it would be cool to see them again. In a small setting. Would be a great aftershow or sidestage. Not sure they be able to carry a large stage.