The Fest in Gainesville Florida is considered by many to be the best punk festival in the United States if not the world. Folks from everywhere make the yearly trek to partake in 3 days of music, community and comraderie. I thought it might be fun to interview some of my and your favorite attendees, their bands, their brands, and see what makes this such a special event in the hearts and minds of so many. I'll try to get as many in as i can and hopefully convey a little of the joy it evokes!
Without further ado:
Hey! I know you!
Hi! I’m Andy Pohl. I live in El Cerrito, CA (East Bay, baby!!). I run Sell The Heart Records and play guitar in Tsunami bomb
Yes! Love your label and band!
How many FESTs is this for you?
I’ve been to FEST 4 times (17, 18, 20, 21).
I know this year you're not playing with Tsunami Bomb (booooooo), but what other bands are you stoked for this year?
So many great bands (as always), so it’s hard to narrow it down to a few, but I’m psyched to catch Spells, American Steel, Cursive, Scream, Houseghost, Soul Glo, Ted Leo, No Man,Teens in Trouble, The Bollweevils, and of course all of the Sell The Heart Records bands.
Never time to rest as the label guy! Speaking of playing FEST, do you prefer flying in or touring to Gainesville?
Tsunami Bomb has always had to treat FEST as a fly-in show due to our scheduling, but I’d love to do a small tour into or out of FEST sometime so that we could cover a few spots in that greater South East that we don’t get to perform in.
As someone in that greater South East area that would be rad!
What's a favorite memory from your FESTing? Can be as a participant or attendee, or both!
As a performer, playing our first secret set at FEST 18 where we dressed up as skeletons and performed a special set of songs and brought in some special guests like Linh from Bad Cop/Bad Cop and Food & Ume from Kill Lincoln. It was a total blast! My favorite memory as a spectator is a tie between seeing The Jukebox Romantics’ KISS cover set (EPIC), watching Screaming Females for the first time (what an incredible band), or when the singer from Dead To Me lectured the crowd on how there was nothing “punk” about doing cocaine (hilarious and he made some great points)
I normally wouldn't do this but, who doesn't love Mike and The Jukebox Romantics? Seriously. They are such great guys and musicians. I was a little bummed that my first year to go is a year they can't play! But I digress,
What's your favorite part of FEST?
The camaraderie and positive energy that is all over the place is really the best part. Everyone, from the performers to the audience to the crew are all just so stoked to be there, and everyone is on equal footing there… no egos and barely any separation.
Favorite way to wake up in Gainesville?
Not hungover, quick shower then off to get coffee and breakfast with some pals and go over our favorite sets from the night before. Then gear up for the day ahead!
Have a favorite food there?
Either Flacos or Boca Fiesta
I'm seeing a trend among my interviewees! Looking at you Flacos.
Speaking of food: If the moon were made of spare ribs would you take a bite?
JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION AND WE CAN MOVE ON!.... Also, YES!
Yes! Ok, I've almost used up all your day so I'll ask one more and you can go do all the things you need to do.
Just want to ask if there's anything special you want to mention about this year's visit to FEST?
While Tsunami Bomb isn’t performing this year, I WILL be performing as part of a special Murder City Devils cover set along with some friends from The Hammerbombs, Neckscars, Original Son, Tsunami Bomb and The Phenomenauts - our set is on Sunday at 11:30pm at How Bazar. Sell The Heart Records will have a table at the Flea Market where will have tons of records including our new FEST 22 comp (the 3rd comp we have done)! I’ll have some great deals all day long. Say hi if you see me out and about!
Will do! And you do the same if you see me first!
That's all for this one folks, more are coming so I guess you've been warned!
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