Bad Copy

Every Riot Fest is different; I’ve learned this over time. You try to go into the weekend without expectations but always hoping for the best and it seems like every year the result is something that you could have never guessed. Of course, this year was no different. The moment that Mat and I got approved for coverage, we reached out to our Riot Fest Press Crew (AKA Alex Monroy and Curtis Schabath) and found that neither of them would be making it this year. Determined to make this year a great one, I pulled the trigger on a Bad Copy banner for the press area and printed out ten times too many Bad Libs. It would be an epic year, dammit!

As Mat and I stood in the press check in line on Friday, I noticed a familiar face. Curtis had sent Matt Christ, a Detroit-based photographer, in his place this year and I had stalked him on IG. We called him over, introduced ourselves, and he waited for us to check in. After 5 minutes of conversation, he was already part of our press crew this year.

As we made our way into Douglass Park, San Antonio’s FEA walked on to the Rebel Stage. We made a bee line and were able to catch their set before heading to the Press Area to set up for the day. Their powerful and energetic brand of Chicana rock was exactly what we needed to kick of the day.

All of the amazing Press folks were back for another year – the bar tent staff (including Chel, Mike, and Dave Boren!), chiropractor Dr. Matthew Ray, all the outlets that are way bigger than ours and super intimidating, and of course, Heather West – queen of Riot Fest press. Mat and I indoctrinated our newest Matt to the ways of Riot Pop. It had been a whole year since I chugged the 0% ABV, electrolyte filled beverage and I was eager to see if it was exactly how I remembered. Yep, still cherry flavored.

We wandered out into the park to watch Pinkshift‘s set. Watching this band explode over the last few years, despite COVID stunting their growth momentarily, has been truly amazing. I’ve seen them on small local stages and now I have seen them on one of the giant Riot Fest stages and the energy that they exude is always 100%. I cannot wait to see what else is in store for them. It’s a rarity that I get a chance to watch a whole band’s set, as there’s so much to see. But, I made it a point to stay until the last note.

Then I popped over to see a bit of Quasi and a bit of The Interrupters. Then back to the Rebel Stage (AKA the best stage of the whole weekend, year after year), for Screaming Females. I fucking love this band and have since I saw them over a decade ago at Insubordination Fest. I had to pull myself away from their set and head back to the Press Area because it was time for a back to back to back (to back) block of Bad Libs. We were lucky enough to spend some time with FEA, Young Culture, Pinkshift, Quicksand, Screaming Females, Oso Oso, Origami Angel, and Silverstein! One hell of a Friday afternoon.

Back in the day, before we had a banner and/or real structure to our Bad Libs interviews, we used to do what we called ‘ambush interviews’. This was where we would run up to bands and artists the moment they entered the Press Area and try to sell them on Bad Libs. It worked (as we got Andrew WK, GWAR twice, among others)! Today, the spirit of the ambush interview was alive and well as Mat pointed out that Brian Baker of Bad Religion and his new band was just a few feet away. I sauntered over to them and introduced myself and asked if they had time for an interview. Brian did. Holy shit! I explained what we do and he suddenly held up his hand. “No. Oh no.” Welp! I thanked him and walked away defeated. This worked so much better when I was 5 ciders down instead of 5 Red Bulls. *sigh*

Mat and I reunited with Matt and headed over together to watch Tegan and Sara before heading over to the Rebel Stage (told you it was the place!) to catch Fake Names, the band that Brian is in. What an epic fucking mix of human beings – Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dag Nasty), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, INVSN, The [International] Noise Conspiracy), Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside) and Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Rites of Spring). LOOK AT THAT EPIC RESUME THAT I STOLE FROM THE EPITAPH WEBSITE! The band – of course – did not disappoint; how can it with Dennis at the helm? There were kicks and mic throws and dance moves. And the most important thing was that they all looked like they were enjoying themselves and making music together. Fake Names was, for sure, a highlight of the evening.

Friday night ended in the most Chicago way, with Sludgeworth on the Rebel Stage. The band – fronted by none other than local legend Dan Vapid – reunited just under a year ago and played a sold out show at Chop Shop in Wicker Park. They sounded amazing and, much like Fake Names, seemed like they were truly enjoying themselves up there. Why do I keep mentioning this? I guess I’m just tired of seeing bands onstage going through the motions and putting in little effort. We survived the worst part of an international pandemic, the world is opening up again, let’s enjoy ourselves and be passionate about what we do or stop doing it. Sludgeworth brought it; I can’t wait to see them at the next local show they play. After that, Mat and I snuck out early to try and miss the crowd. Another successful year of us parking in our “secret parking” space just a few blocks from the park. I was home just in time to write a 1000 word assignment on The New Jim Crow for grad school, drink water, and prepare for another epic day at the festival.

Check out Mat’s photo gallery from Friday!