Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival 2016
Music Festival Coverage
Day 3 – 05.30
The lineup comprised many good acts for Punk Rock Bowling. There were the Buzzocks, Night Birds and others, many of whom played club shows. That being said, the best and severely underrated act of the festival was the Italian glam-punk band Giuda. Set to play at 4:20 P.M., they were on before most festival-goers were even out of bed or were able to try a round two of partying. I understand that the glam sound hasn’t quite entered the hearts and minds of punkers on this side of the Atlantic, but this is not a band to be missed. This was my third time seeing them, and it’s an experience unlike any other, save maybe one courtesy of The Briefs. Giuda inspires a radical new faith in all things rock n’ roll. They have a sound that is not only nostalgic, but also done in a way that makes it as unique as it is contemporary. During their set, they played their hits like “Get it Over” and “Wild Tiger Woman.” They also played selections off of their new record, Speaks Evil, with songs like “Roll The Balls” and “Working Class Man.” Throughout all of their set, which was during the hottest hours of the day, Giuda’s energy was remarkably infectious. It put a bounce in one’s step and made one feel alive. Festival-goer Jay said, “If there was justice, they would be playing later in the day and selling more records.” After Giuda concluded their set, the audience shifted the stage and formed a line in front of the merch table, eager to score some killer keepsakes. Clearly, Guida already had fans, but after this gig, they for sure converted all those who were lucky enough to see them.
In comparison, Dag Nasty offered something completely different to the equation. They knocked out a brutal display of their definitive melodic hardcore. The vocalist, Shawn Brown, maintained an aggressive command of the stage. Saying to the audience, “We got some ammo for you.” His presence behind his rapid fire vocals was nothing short of shock-and-awe inspiring. It’s easy to follow and get pumped to.
Flogging Molly are a band that is safe to like, non-controversial, fun and actually good. They are known for their wild and lively shows. Their songs both tug on the heart and have listeners jumping about. They are songs for the lost romantics and spirited rebels, and they are catchy as hell. “Drunken Lullabies” and “Seven Deadly Sins” might as well be up as the mandated punk songs to know. They are hugely popular, evidenced by the massive audience that stood eagerly in front of the stage, waiting to be bewitched by their charm and wit. Flogging Molly have an impressive, bombastic energy, and that was was not the crowd. Once they kicked off, the audience move and skipped to each song. They listen intently as the insanely charismatic vocalist Dave King regaled his fans with story after story, which both excited and invoked empathy. King even offered a tribute to Fat Mike of NOFX, who did not attend the festival this year. Flogging Molly played all the hits, including “Devils Dance Floor,” “Saints and Sinners,” as well as some new material that is due out in the near future. Flogging Molly delivered and then some, but then again, they always do.