After a seven year hiatus, the Louisville punk and hardcore throwdown known as KrazyFest returns this weekend [4]bringing with it a slew of bands that helped cement the Fest’s Krazy reputation the first time.
The original festival ran from 1998-2003, growing and moving locations from The Brewery to the Belvedere, the Water Tower and eventually Waterfront Park. The 2011 Fest moves the excitement to Expo 5 on Seventh Street with plans to showcase 40+ bands between Friday afternoon and Sunday night.
Tickets vary from $32-$40 a day, depending on when and where you buy them. (Find them HERE [5]) .
Can’t commit to an entire weekend of rocking your face off or just not sure which stage you want to stake out the most for front row? Here is a guide to SATURDAY to help you pick your priorities and get your skull shaken to an extent that makes it worth every penny of the ticket price.
HOSTAGE CALM (1:00PM) – Like your punk with a little layering? These Connecticut boys claim a love for The Smith’s that is just as strong as their allegiance to old-school punk stalwarts. Their 2010 self-titled release has pure punk moments balanced against songs with an overall complexity that makes them sound smarter than you – and you won’t even mind.
Expect: time changes, impressive licks, pretty rock(in)
Song we want to watch the band pull off live: "Rebel Fatigues"
Hear Hostage Calm HERE. [6]
FIREWORKS (3:30PM) – With a brand-new album of POP punk prettiness releasing Tuesday after the Fest, Fireworks has extra motivation to impress the throngs of music-hungry Fest-goers. Plus – FW has a time-slot that sandwiches them between much heavier rock and roll, which will likely make their “whoa-whoa-whoas” a welcome breather from the gut-punching that their stage neighbors will be offering.
Expect: Earnestness, thoughts of New Found Glory, promise rings
Song we most want to dedicate to that one girl: “Arrows”
LA DISPUTE (6:15) – La Dispute’s brand of frenetic hardcore plays with the tightly-wound intensity and precision of a pulled-back rubber band – all the while making sure you understand the words that are being syncopated. Are the vocals delivered FROM WITHIN the bass drum? Probably not - but we’d like to know for sure…
Expect: bleeding eardrums, sweaty confessions, impressive sync
Song we want to punch someone to (a nice , friendly punch, of course…): “How I Feel”
Hear La Dispute HERE [7].
CAVE IN (9:40) – If Radiohead played hardcore, they'd be Cave In. The veterans of the scene (and of the Fest) have had many musical phases over the past two decades, and they'll usher in a new one with a new release days after Krazy Fest – their first full album in nearly six years! Expectations will be high for the boys to bring some old with their new.
Expect: sonic feedback, eardrum destruction, hardcore breakdowns when you least expect
Song we'll be begging for: "Trepanning"
Graphic courtesy of Krazy Fest