Blackout Fest invades the stage at the Union
By Anna Williams, Staff Writer
April 17, 2007 | 2:57 a.m.
The 12th Annual Blackout Fest will invade the stage at The Union this weekend, April 19 to the 21. For just $10 a night or $25 for the entire weekend, there will be 31 indie, rock, punk, folk and alternative bands from 16 different cities from across the States. Each night, about ten bands will take the stage starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 19.
“All the bands are different," Sean Collins, a bartender at the Union, said. "There is something for almost everyone. People usually think of the Union as punk rock/garage rock bar, but Blackout Fest shows the diversity of the musicians we get here all year round.”
Though the name may be misleading, Blackout Fest is not about blacking out from booze, he said. It is actually named after the Blackout Booking Promotions that does all the booking for the Fest.
Chris Monday, another bartender at The Union, said that the best thing about the Fest is the opportunity for local bands to be heard before the main acts take the stage. “People who aren’t familiar with local bands get a chance to hear them,” he said.
The Union is located at 18 W. Union St. and offers a variety of food, including vegetarian dishes. To hear an eclectic arrangement of music, eat some good food and support local business, visit Blackout Fest April 19-21.
Below are descriptions of some noteworthy bands that will be performing along with the schedule.
Miss Alex White and the Red Orchestra
This Chicago band’s sound is an inspiring blend of blues and punk. Think of The Modern Lovers with soulful female vocals. In June, they will start their European tour, so this is one of the last chances to see this energetic foursome perform for quite a while.
Greg Ashley’s Medicine Fuck Dream
The name says it all: this alternative folk singer from Oakland, Calif. has a smooth voice, uses various instrumentals and sings insightful lyrics that, altogether, truly penetrate a listener’s mind. His sound varies from “psychedelic” to ultra-calm, melodic pop songs.
The Loaded Revulvas
This quartet is one of the only all-female bands from Athens. Their punk rock/alternative music blended with their feminist-inspired lyrics makes for a great combination.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 19 (Starting at 6 p.m.)
The Willowz
Buffalo Killers
Tough and Lovely
Preacher’s Kids
El Jesus de Magico
Psychedelic Horseshit
Dragline Bros.
Southeast Engine
The Never Evers
Friday, April 20 (Starting at 6 p.m.)
Greg Ashley’s Medicine Fuck Dream
Dan Melchior Und Das Menace
The High Strung
Beat the Devil
Dropdead Sons
Birthday Suits
Spider Bags
Live Fast Die
Wheels on Fire
Chingar Mimi
Saturday, April 21st (Starting at 4 p.m.)
River City Tanlines
Miss Alex White & the Red Orchestra
This Moment in Black History
Grafton
Birds of Avalon
Test Patterns
Makebelieves
We March
Terrible Twos
Loaded Revulvas
Paper Machetes
The White Album