Blackoutfest VII
By Matthew Toledo - 4/15/2002
Blackoutfest returns to Athens' only bohemian rock club, the Union, for the seventh year. This year's underground trash-rock fest has been expanded into a collosal two day event that will feature over 14 bands from Athens, the region, and the nation.
The first Blackoutfest was organized in 1995 by local bands who were celebrating the camaraderi of their scene. One of the original founders of the event is Geraldine's bassist, Scott Winland. Seven years later, "Blackout" is now the name of Winland's booking agency which currently books over 25 acts from around the nation. The festival also happens to fall on Winland's birthday. Several of the bands on this years bill are currently being booked by Blackout.
The fest starts on Friday, April 26th and continues on Saturday the 27th. Friday features a few acts which should be familiar Union-files such as Grafton, The Killdorados, Collapse and the Tax. All of which have played the Union on more than a few occassions in the past. Less familiar acts on the bill are Dayton's Sheesus, The Dirtbombs from Detroit, and Cleveland's Charger's Streetgang.
Sheesus is a female fronted rock band that features ex-members of Braniac and The Breeders, two bands which gained national exposure in the mid ninetees and put the Cincy/Dayton indie-rock scene on the map. The Dirtbombs feature two bassists, two drummers, and a landslide of thundering bottom-heavy noise. The Dritbombs are reportedly just one of lead singer/guitarist Mick Collins' many musical projects but none of the others have toured as much or recorded as the bombs. Cleveland's punk rock quintet the Charger's Street Gang has developed into one of that regions liveliest acts by combining the in-your-face aspects of punk rock with a "let's party attitude."
Saturday proves to be equally splendid. Geraldine, which features Blackoutfest organizer Winland on the bass, will share Saturday evening's bill two well received local "Union" staples and a host of indie lable bands. Athens based punk-metal band We March and former Athens regulars and current Chicago residents, "The Means", provide the familiarity. As for the labels.. how about Matador Records!
Matador Records has a whole smorgeshboard of ultra "hip" college bands on it's active roster including Belle and Sebastian, Guided By Voices, Mogwai, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Yo La Tengo.
The Demolition Doll Rods will represent Matador on Saturday. They've toured with Lollapolooza and have opened for Iggy Pop. Thier last two disks were produced by fellow Matador recording artist, Jon Spencer and by the Dirtbomb's Mick Collins. Not only are the Demolition Doll Rods known for their trashy, retro influenced garage-punk-music but they are almost equally well known as the chick band with a male, cross-dressing guitar player... all of who like to ocassonally perform in "pasties." I guess they just really like being comfortable on stage.
Orange Recordings is based out of Southern California and signed several Ohio bands to their roste including Geraldine and Them Wranch. Tenesee based Orange Recordings artists the Pourch Ghouls will represent their label on Saturday along side Geraldine. They have been described as Traditional and modern blues mixed with soul, rock-and-roll and some of the loose manic energy of punk (of course). Gypsy Witch from Columbus, and Tyler Keith & The Preacher's Kids from Mississippi round out the evenings bill.
You can pay $8 bucks a night in advance, or $13 for both (encouraged). The day-of-show price has yet to be determined. Pabst Blue Ribbon will be on sale for 75 cents a bottle, and lots of great food will be served. All the bands will be selling stuff too.
