#invsn

“INVSN - Our Blood”

Riot Fest Day 1 (Friday September 15, 2017) I made sure I got here for the first crash of guitar cords this day as their were a few early bands that I wanted to see.

Skating Polly (Roots Stage) I attended their 11:30 show two years ago and did the same today (noon this time), the only two times I made it to Riot Fest that early in the day. If you are not familiar with this band, they are step-sisters who started the band at ages 14 and 9. When I saw them last time, they were a two piece band with Peyton on bass and Kelli on drums. They have now added Kelli’s brother Kurtis as a drummer and Kelli plays guitar, although Kelli and Kurtis also swapped places during the show. The played a great, rockin’ set. While Kurtis was drumming, I noticed he was wearing a Frank Zappa Hot Rats album cover t-shirt. Later when he played guitar, he showed some Zappa influence for Noise Rock by playing his guitar with a drumstick. They played on one of the big stages this year and despite the early set time, they drew a good crowd. The band is currently touring with X. Exene Cervenka of X produced their second album and Kliph Scurlock of The Flaming Lips mixed the LP, so these young musicians have quickly earned the admiration of some Rock veterans. (First set of band photos.)

Tobacco (Riot Stage) I enjoyed listening to this avant garde electronic instrumental band, even though their music seemed a bit out of place in the midday sun. Tobacco is apparently a pseudonym for Thomas Fec, who is the front man for Black Moth Super Rainbow. On stage, they were a 4 piece band including two synthesizers and drums and bass guitar. They produced some nice sounds and as a four-piece band, they were more interesting to watch than some of the one-guy-with-a-computer artists I have seen at other festivals.

INVSN (Roots Stage) Swedish Post Punk that I thought sounded a bit like Industrial Rock at times. Lead singer Dennis Lyxzén is also the lead singer for Refused. He’s active on stage with some moves that reminded me a bit of Roger Daltry and Mick Jagger. At one point, he came out into the audience while singing. (The lead singer for The Hives did that last year. Is this a Swedish thing? Just wondering). Anyway, I thought they played a good set and I enjoyed their music. (Second set of band photos.)

Sleep On It (Radicals Stage) A local Chicago Pop Punk band from nearby Logan Square. I did not originally have them on my schedule. However, on this hot sunny day, I needed some shade for a bit and I was able to retreat to a shady area across the field from the Radicals Stage. I was glad I got to hear this band. They played an energetic set and they came across as a nice bunch of guys who were really happy to be playing at Riot Fest in their home town.

X (Roots Stage) This is the band I came to see today and I was not disappointed. They were so good and a lot of fun. Billy Zoom, conceding a bit to age and recent health issues, plays from a perched position on a stool, but he still plays a wicked guitar. His Rockabilly style riffs are the backbone of the band’s unique Punk sound. D.J. Bonebroke set the pace with his energetic drumming. John Doe was terrific on base and vocals, and Exene Cervenka sang great and was just really cool on stage. This is their 40th anniversary tour and they still love their LA roots with a cool X logo on stage that included their names and the name of their city. Exene also wore an LA shirt with the initials stylized ala LA Dodgers. It was also fun to see the members of Skating Polly, who are touring with X, enjoying the show from back stage. The hot sun didn’t stop me from dancing up a dust storm for this show!

Buzzcocks (Riot Stage) I was really glad this band returned to Riot Fest. They were there in 2014 but I did not see them, so I was happy to have the opportunity again. They were one of the early English bands to hit the Punk scene and their music still sounds great today. I was thrilled that they played my favorite song, Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've). Although the band members are into their early 60’s, they still play hard driving Punk with attitude, and you could still hear the teenage angst coming through with songs like Orgasm Addict and Fast Cars. Just a really cool band!

Chon (The Heather Owen Stage) I was interested in seeing this band and it didn’t quite work out. However, I did catch maybe the last 5 minutes of their set. A really fine Math Rock sound adding some good diversity to the Riot Fest line up.

The Cribbs (The Heather Owen Stage) This was a rockin’ set! A power trio of three brothers, they were on the small stage at dusk and the crowd in this somewhat secluded part of the grounds was really into it, giving it a bit of a club feel. I look forward to an opportunity to see this band again sometime. (Photo below Buzzcocks.)

New Order (Roots Stage) Riot Fest sometimes gets some criticism for booking too many “old bands” but of course, I’m old, so I generally have no problem with that. Today was a great day for old bands and I thought this New Wave Synth Pop band was an excellent addition. They have been around since 1981, but are still making some new music, having released an album as recently as 2015. Bernard Sumner’s voice was in excellent form and I particularly enjoyed hearing him sing my favorite, Bizarre Love Triangle. The sound and light shows were awesome and although the pulsating synthesized rhythm wore a little thin with me toward the end of their 75 minute set, overall I enjoyed the show and was happy to have the opportunity to see them.