Fest 14 recap: Beach Slang, War on Women, Post Teens, Modern Life Is War, and countless others

Ah, yes, Fest.

That yearly endurance test in Gainesville, Florida where thousands of punks full of passion, piss and hopefully not PBR, but probably yes PBR, try to cram as many band sets and Fest friend hangs into a three-day blitz of flying bodies and punished livers. Luckily, at least one member of the Rice and Bread team decided not to drink this year (guess which one?), but that didn’t stop every one of our bodies from feeling like pulverized meat by the end of the weekend.

The plan was to review as many Fest sets as we possibly could, but upon return to our respective homes and now riddled with the dreaded Fest flu (previously known as Fest AIDS, but named changed for obvious reasons), ye ol’ team just couldn’t follow through with our plans. At least two of our correspondents dropped off the map at game time.

We did take home gold in the first annual Fest Punk Rock Trivia contest, but our lofty goals of reviewing countless bands from Fest were now looking grim in the light of a looming deadline and the repercussions of way too much carousing and not nearly enough sleep over the past week.

Then, we came up with an idea. We had Fest friends, right? So we asked some of those very friends over in the Fest Friends Facebook group to submit 100 words about their favourite Fest set in a 24-hour window just to see if those slackers could meet a deadline and, wow, some of them actually came through!

It was enough to pad the fuck out of our review list and bring you a semi-comprehensive Fest roundup. Read on, Fest friends!

After the Fall
Ah, the pride of my hometown scene. I didn’t get to see them at Fest 12 due to a clash and they didn’t play last year. But I made sure I saw them this Fest and, with them proceeding Heartsounds/War on Women, it was super easy to fit in. They closed out this three-band power block in my schedule and killed it. It’s definitely a trip to see a band that usually plays to a small room of hometown kids in Albany, NY play to a nearly full room in a completely different corner of the country to people from all over. The energy going back and forth from both was palpable and a joy to see. -Malcolm Lasky

Army of Ponch
Every time I go to Fest I try to see as many Gainesville bands as possible, but seeing Army of Ponch wasn’t just about supporting local. This was about supporting a band I’d only heard on vinyl for years and years, and never had a chance to see. Did they live up to my lofty expectations? Does a gator shit in a swamp? -Jason Schreurs

Andrew WK
The Party God played the partiest party in the history of parties. There isn’t much else to say, is there? While I was only able to catch the second half of Andrew WK’s set, new outdoor venue Lot 10 looked full and brimming with the level of energy only a man synonymous with the word “party” could possibly provide. I still think that it’s super cool that Fest is a place that listens intently to its audience members, which have since become a real community, and that stuff like Andrew WK playing Fest can happen. That is why Fest is the best. -Malcolm Lasky

Avail
Just kidding. -Jason Schreurs

Bad Religion
(as performed by Boardroom Heroes)
Barely even made this one and heard about it last minute, but holy shit! All early Bad Religion performed with absolute gusto by Maryland’s Boardroom Heroes. Bodies were flying (mostly ours) and harmonies were whoah-oh-ing all over the place. Only complaint, the band didn’t bring in a singer a la Greg Graffin and relied on their guitar players to handle all vocals. Dudes, next time all you have to do is ask! -Jason Schreurs

Beach Slang
Beach Slang has provided me with some of the best show experiences of the past year, including their Fest debut at Rockey’s last year. It was no surprise to me that they would rip both Tequilas in Tampa and Cowboys in Gainesville completely apart, but it was fun as hell to watch. My previous Beach Slang experience was them opening for Bouncing Souls in my hometown and not a lot of people knew them, so it was a refreshing to see them absolutely dominate an entire room of fans from around the world to the point where I could almost hear their voices better than vocalist/guitarist James Alex’s. -Malcolm Lasky

Black Tower
Black metal band at Fest. Sure, dude. These church-burning, goat-sacrificing devil worshoppers from the frozen hinterlands of Ottawa, Ontario ripped Tampa and Gainesville new sodomy holes. -Jason Schreurs

Caves
I walked into Caves knowing this about them: they exist, and they’re from the UK. Apparently, only a third of the band was there, but there were fill-ins. If this is what they’re like at 1/3 strength, I can’t wait to get a full dose. I left the venue entranced and bought both their records when I got home, because I didn’t want to carry records around all day. -Malcolm Lasky

Chumped
Chumped announced an indefinite hiatus days before they were going to take the stage at The Wooly for their Fest set. So when the time came, the line was around the block for their set and emotions ran very high for both the fans and the band. I’ll be kicking myself forever for only seeing the first half of this set… but such is life. It was an incredible send-off to be sure. Topping it all off was a marriage proposal that closed out the set. (Congratulations Mikaela and Alex!) -Malcolm Lasky

Direct Hit!
It’s hard to talk about this set given how it turned out. Someone in the crowd was seriously injured to the point of the set being stopped and fire and rescue being called to get them to a hospital. That said, I think that the band deserves props for their conduct. They acted both professionally and compassionately during the whole ordeal and even put on a good (albeit short) set after. It speaks volumes of them not just as musicians, but as people. -Malcolm Lasky

Ducking Punches
I couldn’t miss the set at Loosey’s Sunday evening (that entire lineup!), so I went alone. There was no part of Ducking Punches set that wasn’t bigger and greater than I was expecting, I’m sorry for doubting the abilities of folk punk. Completely blown away by folk punk, am I even me?! Are you even you right now?! I cried with sadness remembering those gone too soon, cried with happiness straight after. I might have been just the right amount of drunk to let Ducking Punches smack me right in the kisser and I loved every second of it. Kissy kiss. -Joanne Beaman

Fugazi
(as performed by Ex-Breathers)
This was one of those transcendent moments and possibly one of my favourite sets at Fest this year. A band obviously inspired by Fugazi playing a full set of Fugazi covers to a bunch of diehard Fugazi fans. Some of the deeper cuts were jaw-droppingly good and, of course, classics like “Waiting Room” and “Smallpox Champion” sounded amazing. I lost my mind a little, I lost my mind a lot. -Jason Schreurs

Heartsounds
Since they’re from San Francisco, I don’t get to see this band enough (to be fair, I’ve seen them quite a few times, but it’s never enough) so I will always grab at the chance to catch them play. Heartsounds’ brand of technically proficient but accessible and catchy punk is always fun to see play out on stage. I caught them twice and neither time disappointed. They played excellent sets and the chemistry between the two vocalists/guitarists was awesome. -Malcolm Lasky

Hikes/Alaska (battle set)
The allure of a so-called “battle set” piqued my interest enough to justify a $40 Uber ride and a short walk in to the swamps of Gainesville, affectionately called Jurassic Park. There I found something I had never expected. Lit only by tiki torches and a single work light, Hikes (Texas) and Alaska (Nevada) alternated playing some of the best mathy music I have ever heard, let alone seen live. Perfectly crafted math rock that never once was difficult to move around to. Beautiful vocals were barely audible and fit like a glove. I loved it so much I changed my schedule around to catch both bands the next day at Fest. -Anthony Martino

The Hotelier
Hope Like Noplace Is There struck me harden than any piece of music ever has. I first listened to it while dealing with the aftermath of a close friend’s suicide. The record confronted me with the same feelings of sadness, guilt and despair that I was feeling. This weekend at Fest I was able to see them for the first time, surrounded by friends. I was scared of the effect it would have on me, but I couldn’t be happier for what ended up being a truly intense yet cathartic experience. Tears and smiles surrounded me in that crowd. That feeling of solidarity post-set was my favorite part of Fest. -Alberto Cotto

Jawbreaker
(as performed by Beach Slang)
Jawbreaker is my favorite band, ever. Chances are I’ll never see them again (yeah, I’m old enough to have seen them). Oh, wait, what?! Beach Slang is doing a cover set at Fest? (Brain explodes!) I’m not sure I could think of a more appropriate band to deliver the energy and vocals a Jawbreaker cover set demands. Now, it was never going to be a long enough set, that would require literally every Jawbreaker song being played, but what the Slangers delivered was an unforgettable, poolside, sing-along experience like none other. Voices were lost, embraces were many, sweat was shared. -Craig Mazer

Just Friends
Just Friends toured all the way from California to Florida to play Fest. “Stick around for Just Friends. I know Title Fight is playing but, trust me, they’re better than Title Fight,” or something along the lines was said by Karoshi Boy’s singer. He wasn’t lying. Just Friends played by far the set I had the most fun at. Their singer jumped and danced and was very inviting to the crowd to do the same, and also to sing along. The Just Friends crew puts their whole souls into whatever they’re doing, whether it’s their own songs or some very danceable Red Hot Chili Peppers cover tunes (give it away, baby!). -Pedro Cepeda

La Armada
Every Fest I try to get a few recommendations from buddies I know who aren’t going, or might never go. When I asked one of my friends for suggestions, he only sent one: La Armada. A five-piece hardcore band from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, these guys were like the hyper-speed version of Rage Against the Machine. Only downer of their set was that more people weren’t going batshit crazy during their set. I mean, what the fuck, people? This band ruled. -Jason Schreurs

Masked Intruder
At some show somewhere in the UK last year I was chatting with Intruder Blue and my anxiety over being heard singing since age four comes up. We do a deal: I do “Heart-Shaped Guitar” at the show the next day and they play “Almost” at Fest 13. I had to wait a year, but he kept his promise, or maybe the threatening messages got through to him inside. Either way, it was the best moment of all Fest shows. Then some dude has to top my moment by proposing to some chick. I should send him hate mail. -Joanne Beaman

The Menzingers
Every year at Fest I tell myself I’m not going to see The Menzingers twice in two or three days and, ultimately, I always do see them twice. This year I had every intention of skipping their main Fest set after seeing them absolutely kill it at Pre-Fest in Tampa, but then two days later, there I was, front row and going loco to “Nice Things” and “Rodent” and every other amazing song these guys wrote. Nothing is better than The Menzingers at Fest, and they keep pulling me back like a punk rock magnet. -Jason Schreurs

Modern Life Is War
Best hardcore band at Fest, perhaps best hardcore band, period. -Jason Schreurs

Mustard Plug
Being honest, I don’t have a whole lot of interest in ska as a general rule. However, I caught Mustard Plug’s set at Pre-Fest and it was an electric set that had even me singing along. Well, whoa-ohing along since I didn’t know the words. That said it was a fun set enjoyed by a full room at the Orpheum. -Malcolm Lasky

Nothing in the Dark
Running frantically to catch as much as their show as possible, I arrived at Gainesville speed-thrash three-piece Nothing in the Dark’s set just in time. What I saw was a crowd of heshers thoroughly engaged in a band that made early Exodus sound like Blue Cheer. Really. Fucking check this shit out. -Jason Schreurs

Nothington
I love Nothington and I hadn’t seen them since their secret set at Durty Nelly’s during my first Fest (Fest 12). So, when I saw their name on the bands list I breathed a huge sigh of relief and counted down the days until I could see them again. Their set was incredibly sweet, but all-too-short considering how rarely they seem to play these days. However, apparently Tsunami Bomb is reuniting (inexplicably sans Agent M) and Nothington is supposed to drop a new album in 2016, so we’ll have many more chances to see Jay Northington play come the new year. -Malcolm Lasky

No Weather Talks
I didn’t get to see too many foreign bands this Fest, unfortunately, but I had some time after the Worriers set so I stayed and caught the first half of No Weather Talks from Germany. This band was great fun to watch. Dear NWT: I looked everywhere for your merch, but I couldn’t find it. I wanted to give you my money! Also, my apologies to your bassist for pulling out my phone in front of him (I needed to check the time). I promise I wasn’t bored! -Malcolm Lasky

Off With Their Heads
I hadn’t planned to see OWTH this year due to a clash with a band that overlapped. But I got to see the second half of probably the best OWTH set I’ve seen. It featured a guest appearance from a member of Pears, so that Ryan could focus on singing and jumping into the crowd during “Clear the Air.” This set showcased one of my favorite parts of Fest; walking into a set you had no idea you were going to see until you walk in the room and having it blow you away completely. -Malcolm Lasky

Old Flings
Old Flings are champions of the ’90s alt-rock sound, and they do it well. Their (most of an) album set at Tequila’s at Pre-Fest was fantastic, despite a relatively small crowd and having some technical difficulties on stage. They played one of the few special sets of Pre-Fest and I couldn’t have been happier because Spite is an absolutely incredible record. I also caught half of the very well-attended Fest set at the Wooly, even though I could barely move from place to place by Sunday. I was glad I got off my ass and went down to the Wooly for their set. -Malcolm Lasky

Pears
Was I prepared for Pears? No, I was not. After their completely chaotic Pre-Fest performance I vowed to see them again at Fest. Try as I might, I could not get to their set in time and therefore acquired chump status for not seeing them twice in two days. Full of fury and piss and vinegar, this is a band every punk needs to see. -Jason Schreurs

Post Teens
Go ahead and tell me there was a better set at Fest. Didn’t see them? That’s a shame. Gainesville punk done right, no songs longer than 90 seconds, no fucks given. Always one of the highlights of Fest for me and this year was definitely no exception. -Jason Schreurs

The Priceduifkes
I saw this Belgian pop-punk band on tour with Masked Intruder and Direct Hit! a year or so ago and I remember liking them, but I didn’t really check them out after that. Mistake. They played a fantastic set during Pre-Fest at New World Brewery, which sparked quite a few sing alongs and circle pits from the crowd. -Malcolm Lasky

Riverboat Gamblers
One of those moments when you decide not to see a band and end up doing so anyway, and how glad I was! You’re all going to know how great Riverboat Gamblers are live, so this is about their pit at Cowboys. Huge area full of hot, sweaty and drunken dancing babes! I hugged and do-si-do’d my way around the pit for the whole set, bumping into lots of Fest Friend folk I’d not yet seen, which made it even more memorable. No crazy elbows, no stamping, no slamming, it was just right. Jesus was there, too. We all saw. I hope. -Joanne Beaman

Steve Adamyk Band
A group of Ottawa bands played Fest this year, but the best one was Steve Adamyk Band. Just a shitstorm of amazing pop hooks and so much fucking energy. No wonder the band’s namesake felt compelled to chug Jameson in the streets immediately following their set. It’s a lot of pressure to be that fucking rad. -Jason Schreurs

Sunshine State
One of my favourite Gainesville bands hit me with mostly new material and teased that they would only play new material, then took three requests (guess who made two of them?) and played now-classic punk-pop songs “Amanda,” “Heroin” and one other… help me out here, it was a long Fest. Great band, great people. -Jason Schreurs

War on Women
I’ve seen them play 12 times prior to their High Dive set, and I thought I’d seen them at their best. I’ve seen them support bands and headline shows, in venues big and small…hell, I once saw Shawna jokingly give birth to a wooden owl on stage. None of those shows compared to this one. The room was ablaze for their whole set, where everyone knew the words, respected each other and had a great time. I should also mention that a few hours after, Shawna and Brooks played an absolutely stunning acoustic set that deserves at least as much attention as their electric set. I went in as a curious WOW fan and was blown away by the skill of the people on stage, their ability to command a room, and again for an audience that was willing and eager to listen and participate in the show. These sets were indisputably the best shows at Fest. -Malcolm Lasky

War on Women
I got to watch one of my favourite bands right now right alongside one of my favourite friends right now (that guy up there who wrote the last review). How perfect is that? My first time seeing War on Women, they exceeded all expectations. One of the most important and rad bands RIGHT NOW. -Jason Schreurs

Wilderness Dream
A Heartsounds side-project with members of Light This City formed within the last year and they just dropped their self-titled EP. Hardcore tends to not be something I’m interested in, but Heartsounds is a big favourite of mine so I checked out their EP and immediately decided to catch their Fest set. They played the EP from start to finish, barely pausing to take a breath and I was completely mesmerized for their 30 minutes. -Malcolm Lasky

The Winter Passing
A fantastic band from Ireland I’d been waiting to see ever since they got announced. They hit the stage with great passion and didn’t let up for their whole set. Standout in this set is the keyboardist who’s got the remarkable energy and stage presence reminiscent of Carly Comando (Slingshot Dakota). -Malcolm Lasky

Wonk Unit
With a British swagger and a drunken poet’s rambling banter, Wonk Unit brought the goods to Loosey’s on Sunday at the Fest. Frontman Alex Johnson mixes genius spoken-word interludes, often quoting forthcoming lyrics, to keep things moving between each ripping track, which recklessly mix punk, ska, and thrash. They ooze “British,” from Alex’s goofy shorts to Benny’s hat; I almost felt like I was at Disney World. Wonk’s music is incredible, but what sets them apart is the stage show, one I won’t miss if I ever get the chance to see them again. -Craig Mazer

Worriers
It’s always really cool when a band you saw kinda grow up at Fest becomes really next-level good and gets the respect and admiration they deserve. It’s even better when that band is Worriers. Seeing them live this year at Fest was a truly defining experience, like that time that you saw your favourite band play a basement, or when one of your best friends’ bands ends up on TV or something. -Jason Schreurs