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Recommended If You Like: Punk
Punk rock is a pretty elusive concept. Is it just driving guitars, two-count drums, propulsive bass, and yelled lyrics? Or is it something more… something indefinable… something I don’t feel like looking up on Wikipedia right now? Probably, I have no idea.
But if you happen to be aware of what punk is, exactly, or if you’re like me and think it’s just this abstract mystery that produces awesome music, then Bumbershoot is sure to please this year. We’ve got artists to please every level of the punk spectrum, from the new generation of jelly-bracelet wearing upstarts, to the dudes wearing studded jackets who are always surprisingly nice to me on the bus.
The Popular
This year we’re very excited to have one of the most popular punk bands around: Paramore. In case you’ve been hiding in a cave like some kind of punk rock hermit, the youthful Paramore, with their spritely lead singer (who may or may not be old enough even to smoke), have been rocketing up the charts and claiming coveted spots on the Warped Tour and now Bumbershoot.
The Classic
Perhaps the most straightforward punk band at the Festival this year is Anti-Flag, known for their politically charged lyrics. Take a wild guess as to their political affiliation with songs like “The WTO Kills Farmers” and “The Press Corpse.” Combine that with a new album called War Sucks, Let’s Party, and you know you’re going to have fun (and might just learn something too, if you’re not careful).
The Underground
Now, onto the next progressive stage of this ever-cutting edge genre. Hailing from Israel, Monotonix make punky, dancey, good time jams. Just check out one of their ass-shaking live performances on YouTube if you don’t believe me. I’ll wait. Pretty crazy, right?
Or if you want to keep it in the family, as it were, come support local heroes These Arms Are Snakes, with their experimental punk rock that’s as heavy as it is catchy. If you’ve never seen them live, you’re severely missing out on a positively electric, insane live performance. Jaws will drop, I guarantee it.
The Literature
And for the bookish punk in you, Bumbershoot has ya covered. Check out Joshua Furst talking about his most recent book, The Sabotage Café, about a girl who leaves her stifling suburban existence to squat with a group of anarchists. I’m sorry, but if that’s not punk rock, then nothing is.
This is just the tip of the black, studded iceberg of punk at this year’s Festival, and we’re going to announce even more in the coming weeks. Seriously, you punks have got it made this year.
posted May 30 '08 at 05:55PM by Evan in anti-flag, monotonix, music, paramore, these arms are snakes
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indieguy322 said…
These Arms Are Snakes are awesome, I can’t wait to see them! I hope I can get the day off work to go!
on Jun 6, 04:41 PM