I scored a couple of free tickets to Fun Fun Fun Fest on Friday from Austinist (thanks, guys!). I got there around 6:30 or 7 in enough time to see Riverboat Gamblers. I’d seen them at the X / Rollins Band show at Stubb’s earlier this year. They put on a good show. We shuffled over to check out Peaches at the Indie Stage. I can appreciate what she’s trying to do, but the music wasn’t all that interesting to me. Next up was Negative Approach. I’d never seen them or heard any of their music. I can definitely hear their influence on current bands though. Solid Stuff. The band I came to see, however, was up next. The Circle Jerks have retained 3 of the 4 members that were around when I first heard them in 1984 or 1985. Keith Morris has been sporting some massive dreadlocks for the past 15 years or so. Like Henry Rollins and a few others, he’s become sort of a punk rock elder statesman. They blasted through several older songs, including “Deny Everything”, “Beverly Hills”, “World Up My Ass”, “I & I”, “When the Shit Hits the Fan” and “I Just Want Some Skank”.
The Chronicle had some info on the organizing of the festival. I like that Graham Williams mentioned ACL and how it doesn’t really represent the sort of bands that he had at Fun Fun Fun Fest. The crowds weren’t too large as to make it impossible to see the bands. I would recommend that they double the number of port-a-potties next time though. It was at least a 20 minute wait for the bathrooms the whole time I was there. Lines for the food and drinks were reasonable. I realize it was all kind of last minute and that Texas weather can be unpredictable anyway, but if they have it again, I’d pick a month other than December, January or February.
Joe Gross of the Statesman Blogs posted a favorable review yesterday.
I got a few shots of Negative Approach and Circle Jerks. There’s some crappy video after the jump to go with the crappy photos. I probably should bring a tripod next time although I’m not sure they would’ve allowed it.
Update (12.106.2006 – 13:43 CST) – Steve Hopson has some much better shots from the festival.
Circle Jerks – “Coup D’Etat”:
Circle Jerks – “I & I” and “Deny Everything”:
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