When thinking about the explosion of punk …what was 1977 London or New York like when the bands that set the stage for the next 40+ of punk rock? What was driving the Ramones or the Damned or the Pistols or the Clash or Buzzcocks? But you can go back even further. New York Dolls, MC5, The Stooges and even The Who provided a spark for these bands and those that followed. And there was Patti Smith right in the middle of it. When Patti Smith plays at Riot Fest, it’s safe to say no once at this year’s festival, and very few at any punk festival have influenced so much of what else is being played. A beat poet, a la Alan Ginsberg, from New York she’s been at it since before her debut album “Horses” in 1975. While her music may be light on punk energy, it absolutely has the punk messaging and ethos. Certainly not going to be the most energetic, rocking, or loud set at Riot Fest. But probably deserves catching if not to only respect the history. Added, videos of her live show that she is a great story teller and historian. Plus her current set includes covers of Hendrix, Neil Young, Lou Reed, U2, and Midnight Oil (yes, that Midnight Oil), infused with her own poetic messaging and style. And she’s freaking 72 years old. That alone is amazing. But wait, she’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame …how many Rock Hall of Famers have we seen at festivals…(Desert Trip excepted)…Sir Paul, Metallica, Chuck D (in Prophets of Rage), Radiohead, Mike D (forgettable DJ set), Chili Peppers? That’s it. So Patti Smith is rarefied air and deserves respect. And on a lazy Sunday afternoon after loud punk for three days and two nights, it might be a nice reprieve.
What Are Your Top Bands Each Day for Riot Fest 2019?
The schedule for Riot Fest 2017 is imminent (I hope). Some believe even this Wednesday. Once it’s released, a game plan of who to see and when will be necessary. With that in mind, what are the top three acts each day you want to see, plus one sneaky under the radar band you had never listed to until about three months ago?
For me (with after show bands discounted as they can be skipped):
Friday: Descendents, Cock Sparrer, Rancid and the sneaky pick is Hot Water Music
Saturday: Manchester Orchestra, Surfer Blood, Masked Intruder and the sneaky pick is The HU
Sunday: Bob Mould (#1 choice for entire weekend), The Raconteurs, Patti Smith and the sneaky pick of Dave Hause
Riot Fest 2019 Countdown – Aftershow Openers
A couple of non-Riot Fest bands have been added as opening acts to our aftershows at the Cobra Lounge. Both are interesting. If we like them, likely we’ll have to cut out before the headliner is finished to catch the opener (Slayer on Saturday and Bikini Kill on Sunday). We’ve had some great surprises with aftershows and openers. Potty Mouth and Slaves. ‘Nuff said. No opener has been announced for the Femmes on Friday night yet.
Editor’s note, The Garden has just been added as the opener for Violent Femmes. They play early on Friday so opening for the Femmes might be the best shot we have to see them. They are previewed here with a brief description and a few videos (some from this year’s Coachella). Definitely interesting.
Opening for Hot Snakes on Saturday is Des Demonas. They’re from DC and most of the band has been playing in and around DC in various bands for a while. Plus they’re signed to Dischord Records, the label of Minor Threat’s and Fugazi’s Ian MacKaye, which tells me they are legit. I can’t find any videos with great audio quality, so you may need to check them out on my BullChip Riot Fest Aftershows playlist. But I do love the video of them playing in what looks like a diner all squeezed into a corner next to some booths.
Opening for Teenage Bottlerocket is Melbourne, Australia’s Clowns. They’re punk. They play fast and they scream. I’m not sure if I like the screaming (as if that’s not exactly what I would do I had ever been in a band), but I sure like the energy. Their latest album seems a lot less screaming (on the BullChip Riot Fest Aftershows playlist, too). Like the street cred that Des Demonas gets with Dischord Records, Clowns are on NOFX’s Fat Wreck Records. That’s cool.
Riot Fest 2019 – The Hangover Four Weeks From Now
Okay, four weeks from today I will probably be hungover on a Southwest flight heading west. Contemplated what musings, observations, and lessons were learned over the weekend. We will make it to Teenage Bottlerocket, our third straight aftershow. Did we get Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s?
I’ve run out of my pre-written previews. Thirty-four of them plus some bonuses might be enough. There are a few more I had planned on previewing…and old school week with The Selecter, Patti Smith, Nick Lowe, Guided By Voices and Anthrax. Not sure we need them but all deserve at least a nod and a kiss of the ring to acknowledge how they influenced so much of what we’re seeing (Patti Smith 100% OMG).
I’m sure once the schedule is released and conflicts abound there will be some discussion. Also, as our aftershows get opening acts named, we’ll need to check them out….remember we stumbled across both Slaves and Pottymouth as aftershow openers. Not bad. Hot Snakes’ opener looks awesome. And they’re not at Riot Fest. Bonus.
So, if anyone wants any more previews let me know. I take requests. Otherwise I may pick and choose, or not. In the meantime you may want to check out a few links at the bottom of the main page with festival previews from previous fests, including Riot Fest 2017.
Riot Fest 2019 Countdown 4 – Dave Hause
Dave Hause is a punk rocker that rocks acoustic these days. Sounds like one of my favorites from the UK. He’s played with a members of a bunch of the bands at Riot Fest this year including Hot Water Music and Avail. And he’s opening for Bad Religion on their upcoming tour. Disappointed I didn’t know about him (the same feeling seeing Frank Turner the first time). He could be a nice antidote especially is we have a lot of yesterday’s bands. He’s on a small line…is there a chance he could be added to the Teenage Bottlerocket aftershow bill?
He plays on Sunday.