Fresh Bumbershoot

06.12.2008 Anti-Flag: Popmatters concert review

Popmatters reviews Anti-Flag’s April show at San Francisco’s Fillmore.

The one-two closing punch of “Die for Your Government>Power to the Peaceful” puts an appropriate stamp on the night with another raging anti-war screed followed by a call to arms for non-violent revolution… It’s not one of the longer sets seen at the Fillmore this year, but it’s certainly one of the most intense and most political.

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05.30.2008 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.

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04.22.2008 New artists just added to lineup!

Xavier Rudd, Anti-Flag, Ian Moore, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Brother Ali have just been added to the 2008 Bumbershoot lineup. These artists join the initial acts we revealed last week… The full lineup won’t be revealed until July, but your Bumbershoot Weekend (August 30-September 1 at Seattle Center) is already shaping up to be a hot one!

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