Feature / Music / Fest 20
The Fest 20

It’s hard to believe that The Fest is in its 20th iteration. The festival always had ambition, but it’s a real testament to still be going 20+ years later. And not just because of pandemic challenges, but because punk bands tend to come and go. It would be impossible to truly measure how many “punk generations” The Fest has spanned -- and influenced as it keeps on thriving.

Scene Point Blank has attended approximately 10 Fests. Admittedly, it gets hard to count after a while, but in that time we've written some in-depth histories and more. For #10 we collected stories about the first decade. For Fest 18 we tried to capture the spirit of some long lost venues.

But that's all history. Because our main point is that Fest 20 is about the present, not the past.

The schedule is now online so attendees can start planning ahead. And we also have some interviews to help you prep, thanks to Hot Water Music, No Trigger, MakeWar, and City Mouse.

Few bands can maintain fan excitement like Hot Water Music do. The band formed in 1994 and is pushing 30 years, with a few interruptions and a new member along the journey.

SPB catch up with bassist Jason Black to learn about their new record, Feel The Void (Equal Vision, 2022), how The Fest takes over their hometown of Gainesville, FL, and having more than one Chris in the band.

Scene Point Blank: I like how you grew the band instead of changing members. While you already knew Chris Cresswell from playing shows with Flatliners in the past, was it especially weird because both members who changed roles have the same first name? Anti-Flag already has dibs on the name “Chris #2”.

Jason Black: We like it, too. A little known fact is that we also had Chris DeMakes from LTJ fill for one show in Brazil when Chris (Cresswell) couldn't make it due to Flats commitments. We're very committed to the Chrises of the world.

Scene Point Blank: If my memory is correct, Feel the Void is your ninth record overall. Did you have a goal going in, and did you come out achieving that (or finding a new, improved direction)?

Jason Black: You are correct, i]Feel the Void[/i] was/is #9. I don't want this to sound dismissive of Light it Up or Shake Up the Shadows, because both of those releases have songs we are still super happy with and proud of, but i]Feel the Void[/i] was a much more thorough and intensive process than either of those releases. We really pushed it as far as we could this time around, and we feel like the result shows it. Having Brian [McTernan] back in the producer chair was key to getting everyone to bleed that little extra bit that makes good records into great ones.

Scene Point Blank: I read in another interview that you approached this record, from a bass perspective, as wanting to incorporate as much hiphop influence as you could without changing the overall vibe. How does the band’s writing process play into that? Is it something you were personally exploring and, when put into action, the rest of the band dug it? Or did you talk it through first?

Jason Black: Our writing process is pretty collaborative, in the way that nothing is off limits. You can bring anything you want to the table, but anyone can also shoot it down. The process also varies from song to song, which is a big component of what makes being in this band fun and rewarding.

As to the hiphop influence, that wasn't something I discussed with anyone aside from George [Rebelo, drums]. He and I work closely on the grooves and feels for each song and are both pretty over the “kick-snare kick,kick-snare” feel that a lot of rock/punk songs have. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and we do always have songs that fall into that category, but 28 years later it's cool to stretch your legs a little.

Scene Point Blank: It sounds like Cresswell fit into the band pretty seamlessly in the studio. How do you think this chapter of Hot Water Music feels different on stage?

Jason Black: It was definitely pretty easy. He's a great human, which helps. The biggest difference for us has been keeping up with someone 10 years younger on stage. It's also fun to give him a preview of what the 40s are gonna feel like (not awesome).

Scene Point Blank: Has the lineup shift changed the setlist significantly?

Jason Black: The biggest change in the set is the duration. We're clocking between 18-22 songs, depending on the situation. We were more in the 12-14 range for a long time. I enjoy playing more as it gives us a chance to get a more diverse set list together and to avoid playing the same thing every night.

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite new song to play live right now?

Jason Black: Currently, “Another Breath.” We just added that in this month and it's been awesome and a nice new vibe and complexion to the set.

Scene Point Blank: How long have you known the people at Equal Vision?

Jason Black: I want to say we met Dan for the first time around 2000.

Scene Point Blank: Every band grows in different ways, with some totally changing directions at some point. What's your secret for keeping such a consistent sound but still evolving and not getting repetitive?

Jason Black: For me, it comes down to always finding new music to listen to. We're also very much a sum of our parts and have been playing together for so long that it's pretty much impossible for us to play something and not have a Hot Water Music sound to it.

Scene Point Blank: Did you know Tony or have any role (formal or informal) way back at Fest 1?

Jason Black: Oh yeah, we've known Tony since maybe '96 or '97?

Scene Point Blank: Do you remember what your first impression was at the first Fest you can remember?

Jason Black: This seems like a terrible idea and will never last (whoops).

Scene Point Blank: Do you still live in Gainesville and, if not, when did you move? In relation to that, at what point did you see locals starting to understand that The Fest is a big deal to people?

Jason Black: I am actually back in Gainesville as of a year ago, after leaving back in 2006. I feel like once Bo Dudley Plaza was continually involved and packed out, the local folks started to understand the popularity of Fest.

Scene Point Blank: How many times have you, personally, played at The Fest?

Jason Black: Ha! I actually don’t know. I think this will be the 6th.

Scene Point Blank: Do you have any favorite memories of sets you've played?

Jason Black: Honestly, they’ve all been really cool in their own way. Last year felt pretty special because it had been so long since everyone had played a show and there were a ton of close friends playing.

Scene Point Blank: Are you touring en route to Fest 20?

Jason Black: We’ll be in Europe beforehand, so kinda?

Scene Point Blank: I’m sure you have some surprises in store for Fest 20. Can you drop any hints yet?

Jason Black: Nothing solidified just yet, but we do have some cool things that we hope work out.

Scene Point Blank: Now I'm going to switch gears. Try to think of this closing bit as a rapidfire, TV-style "name 5 things" interview without too much thought:

Favorite venue to see a show at Fest?

Jason Black: Bo Diddley

Scene Point Blank: Band you want to see the most at Fest 20?

Jason Black: Avail

Scene Point Blank: Top restaurant or food item Festers should try?

Jason Black: Plantology

Scene Point Blank: The first thing you're going to do when you hit Gainesville?

Jason Black: Be home?

Scene Point Blank: One thing every non-local should know before coming to town?

Jason Black: Way too many stupid people in Florida have guns.

No Trigger has played at almost half of the Fests so far.

In addition, the band releases a new album, Dr. Album (out August 26 on Red Scare Industries).

We asked the band about the new album and their favorite Fest activities.

Learn about love, LSD, a growing Fest family and the new Dr. Album from vocalist Tom, below.

Scene Point Blank: Dr. Album comes out next month after a long break for the band. How does it feel and what songs are you most excited to play live? 

Tom: We wrote and recorded these songs over the course of the two-year pandemic, so it feels pretty surreal being almost at the finish line. We wrote like 15 new songs total, but I think the ones I’m most looking forward to playing live are "No Tattoos," "Brainwashed," and "Too High to Die."
 
Scene Point Blank: “Antifantasy” was the first single and is the first song on the record. What about that track really set the tone for you? When did you write it (in relation to the rest of the record)?

Tom: We wrote all the songs together in a pandemic blur, and this was just one of them. I remember coming up with the opening riff/lyrics for that one and sending it to everyone and they were like "Yessssssss." Haha. Lyrically it’s pretty charged and heavy, but it came from a real place and from real events within a pretty fucked up country so we decided to write it and stick with it. 

Scene Point Blank: Your videos are great. Do you enter them with an idea, or do you give full control to the director?
 
Tom: We recorded all of our most recent videos with Dan O’Connor from Four Year Strong. He is amazing at coming up with cool and fun additional ideas once we give the initial premise. After that, we both helped fine tune it and film it all. The videos came out pretty damn fun, I gotta say myself. 

Scene Point Blank: Do any of you having acting or stage backgrounds?

Tom: Absolutely not! Haha. 

Scene Point Blank: You balance humor and politics well, where many bands try to do both and fail. Is there a secret to your formula to make sure one doesn’t overshadow the other? 

Tom: This record we wrote and recorded completely on LSD, and something about that experience made me want to twist some humor into very real, personal subjects. It also made the song writing more layered and intricate, as folks will see.

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played? What was your first Fest and (not counting Fest 20) what was your most recent Fest?

Tom: I believe this upcoming Fest will be our ninth performance at Gainesville Fest. Our first Fest ever was Fest 5 in 2006, and our last one we played was Fest 18 in 2019. 

Scene Point Blank: Do you remember your first impression or the first band you saw at your first Fest? What stuck with you?
 
Tom: I honestly have no idea who I saw at that first fest back in 2006, I just remember we played at 1982 with The Flatliners. Or was that the year after? It’s all a blur!
 
Scene Point Blank: How does it feel to be a “large font” band on the Fest 20 flyer? Does that give you negotiating power or any backstage (playful) leverage with your friends’ bands?
 
Tom: I’m not sure we are a large font band, I think we’re squarely in the medium font category, but either way we don’t give a shit. Fest is the best place on earth and Tony and the folks running it have been treating us very well for years and years now. If we were the last band on the flyer we would still be psyched to play! 

Scene Point Blank: Who are you most excited to see at Fest 20?
 
Tom: Paint it Black and Against All Authority.

Scene Point Blank: Are you touring on the way to Gainesville? 

Tom: No, I don’t even remember the last time we toured down to the Fest, we almost always just take a flight down and play, then fly home because we stay and party for the whole weekend.

Scene Point Blank: Any secrets you can share about your Fest set (way, way in advance)? 

Tom: By the time we play Fest I think there might be a few of the newer songs that I will play on guitar.

Scene Point Blank: I’m going to end on an email version of a TV “lightning round.” In other words, answer off the top of your head without putting too much thought into it:

Who is your favorite band you’ve discovered at The Fest? 

Tom: How Dare You.

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite Fest memory? 

Tom: I have so many, but one time in like 2008, No Trigger played one of the legendary Fest warehouse shows at like 3am and that was fucking awesome. I also was there to see Paint It Black play in the parking lot in a U-Haul when the cops on horses pulled up and shut it all down. That was insane!

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite venue to see a show at The Fest? 

Tom: Really digging Bo Diddley these days, but for interior venues I think the High Dive has always been my top choice.

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite (or most traditional) Fest food? 

Tom: Five Star cheese slice, duh.

Scene Point Blank: One tip for a first-time Fest attendee? 

Tom: Don’t shit your pants. 

Scene Point Blank: Any parting thoughts? 

Tom: I met my wife at Fest in like 2012 or so. It wasn’t until 2015 that we like re-met and dated and made it official and stuff, but we met at Fest. So….hell yeah, thanks Fest! And I guess now we have two kids ‘cuz of Fest too what the hell?!

As mentioned in the intro, I think I’ve been to 10 Fests and maybe 2 Pre-Fests. I’d also guess I’ve seen City Mouse play at 4 or 5 or those.

The band, fronted by Miski Dee Rodriguez, has a changing lineup as well as a changing homebase. Currently rooted in Tampa, just south of Gainesville, we caught up with Miski to chat about new material, favorite Fest memories, songwriting and more.

Scene Point Blank: Give us like a 2 sentence history lesson. When did City Mouse form? How many full-lengths have you released and how many Fests have you played?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: City Mouse is a band I started after moving from L.A. to Lexington, KY around 2001. I since then have moved back to L.A., Lansing, MI and now Tampa, FL, where I am currently living. I haven't had a regular lineup for many years but often have some of the same players when they're available. I have only the one full-length and that kind of bums me out! I have so many songs I wish I could put out already. I'm gonna GUESS I've played around 8 or 9 Fests? I can't quite recall but I think I played Fest 11 or 12 and have only missed one since.

Scene Point Blank: The band put out a 7" last year, but it's been a few years since the last LP. My impression based on how tight the songwriting is, is that you really hone your craft. Is that an accurate observation (or maybe you're just really busy with other things in your personal life)? I guess I'm asking: are you a "slow or meticulous writer"?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: Yes and no. I need to be completely in love with songs for them to come to fruition. I'm currently mostly done with a new LP now though! Money is the only real reason it has been so terribly long between the albums. The band fund is just my bank account and I have to pay rent on my own and eat and whatnot.

Scene Point Blank: What is your writing approach? Do albums come together over time, or are you more of a session writer where you isolate and see what happens and go with that?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: I get bits of lyrics and melody at the most random times so I take a lot of voice notes until things really start to come together. Once the song starts to fill out in my head, I kind of feel on edge until I can get it out of my system. That's when I'll sit down with pen and paper and just let everything out. Songs are what I've used to express and release all of my feelings for years now. Basic melody mostly happens automatically around the pentameter and emotion of what I'm saying, then I just kind of clean everything up before it's ready for a band arrangement.

Scene Point Blank: If I had to summarize it, I'd call City Mouse strong music. It's confident and empowering, while still being relatable and about struggle. Is that a conscious decision, or is that just what comes out?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: Thank you! Those descriptors are very affirming because those are the emotions I am mostly trying to express. The songs are very much me just working through my own struggles and trying to make sense of life. They're basically my therapy so I would definitely say the lyrical content, at least, is an unconscious decision while I do make a conscious effort to really reflect the emotion in the music.

Scene Point Blank: While confidence is not necessarily a correlation with outspokenness, I get the impression from stage demeanor (I may be wrong) that you are relatively introverted. In other words, the music feels extremely loud but as a speaker you come across as quiet to me. First, is that accurate? Second, have you always been comfortable on stage and putting yourself in the spotlight?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: I'd say my particular kind of social anxiety is the biggest factor here. I will 50/50 either shy out or become class clown when I get too nervous or excited. I'm still pretty nervous before every show but once I start playing I feel more in my skin. The crowd has a lot to do with that. I feel really empowered by their warmth and energy and they can really be the difference between a good show and an unforgettable one.

Scene Point Blank: The first person lyrics and somewhat revolving lineup of City Mouse puts the spotlight on you. Do you have any stories to highlight how others have helped shape City Mouse as the band stands today?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: I have a lot of gratitude for all of my "enablers"! They have afforded me many opportunities to travel all over the world and play some amazing shows. This record I'm working on now is probably the most in-depth collaboration I've ever done musically and I'm already incredibly proud of everyone's hard work and commitment. I truly lucked out with this crew on that.

Scene Point Blank: Did you ever take singing lessons? Do you lose your voice when touring or playing nightly?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: No, but I'd love to take some! I used to lose my voice a lot and just force every last squeak out to finish tours but I've learned a lot of tips and tricks over the years to prevent that (and the nodes I developed from that). I do vocal warm-ups all day every day during tour and I am very aware of what I need to recuperate depending on how I feel. I also can't sing if I'm tired or I will completely kill off my voice for days so I make sure I account for that.

Scene Point Blank: Who is your favorite guitar player, past or present?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: J Mascis hands down, with many many many runner-ups!

Scene Point Blank: Did you play Fest 19? If so, any stories? While Fests can blur together over time, last year was pretty unique in many ways.

Miski Dee Rodriguez: I did! It was an absolute mental health rescue to be on that Boca Backyard stage. I was practically screaming with joy all weekend to see so many homies from all over the country that I've missed so much, since touring had shut down for so long.

Scene Point Blank: How active has the band been through COVID times? Have you played unique outdoor shows or had many new experiences? Even if you laid low and answer no to the previous questions, [I’m sure] it left an impression.

Miski Dee Rodriguez: No unique outdoor shows, but I did gain a new skillset [in] figuring out streaming and getting set up to record at home or anywhere. I've really advanced my output potential and I demoed and arranged this whole new record with folks remotely until it was time to record.

Scene Point Blank: Earlier I asked how many Fests you've played. Have you played Gainesville much on non-Fest tours? Any takeaways about how the city hits you on non-Fest dates?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: It is definitely a different town during the non-Festy times but there is still a pretty active music scene. I've only played three shows there and only in the last two years: one solo set and two full band. I don't think I could fathom going to 8 Seconds or Downtown Fats during non-Festy times but everywhere else stays pretty cool!

Scene Point Blank: I want to close with a few "lightning round" Fest questions. In other words, this may be via email, but just answer off the cuff without too much thought:

Miski Dee Rodriguez: Word!

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite band you've discovered at a previous Fest?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: Oooh maybe tie between Bad Waitress or Partial Traces.

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite Fest venue to see a show?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: That depends! I love a gritty show at a smaller packed venue (at least I did pre-covid), like Loosey's or Dirty Nelly's (or ...Clean? Nelly's? now?...the name escapes). But I also love chillin’ on the green at Bo Diddley.

Scene Point Blank: Would you rather play on Friday or Sunday?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: FRIDAY PLEASE. It's so hard to keep my voice in shape through two whole days of squealing with joy!

Scene Point Blank: Who is your favorite band, ever, from Gainesville or Florida?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: Radon! I actually discovered them in high school while living in California. Some friends who moved to Florida made me a mixtape of music they picked up at shows.

Scene Point Blank: What band are you most looking forward to seeing at Fest 20?

Miski Dee Rodriguez: Meat Wave!

We have three goals with this feature: to share good music, to learn new things about some of our favorite bands, and to capture the Fest vibe. Because while there are a million festivals these days, The Fest is truly unique.

In this segment we chat with MakeWar to learn what's new, what they've been up to the past couple of years, and why they personally love The Fest.

Scene Point Blank: Your last record came out in 2019. Are you working on a follow-up?

Jose: Oh we are! All the songs are written. We just have to spend some time with them and learn them, haha. We’ll probably go to the studio in November.

Scene Point Blank: Will your next record be with Fat Wreck?

Jose: Hell yeah!

Scene Point Blank: Maybe you just answered this, but how did you manage through the height of COVID challenges?

Jose: We just went on tour with A Wilhelm Scream all over the US and Canada and no one got covid. This was when every band on tour was getting covid. Maybe we were lucky? Maybe just maybe the vaccine and boosters work, haha. Or maybe it’s because we all had covid already. Who knows. I’m just really happy we didn’t have to cancel any shows. That run was so much fun!

Scene Point Blank: These are challenging times for a lot of people with COVID, Trump, insurrection, the Supreme Court, ICE atrocities, and more. How do current events influence your writing or artistic process? Does it feel different in 2022 than it did when the band started?

Jose: I feel like we were really angry when we wrote Get It Together and I think it shows. With this new record I’m back at writing about mental health. We all had a pretty harsh couple of years and I think it really affected our mental health. At least for me. I had so many down days and panic attacks. I feel like I have to write about that again. It’s the way I cope with it. That, and talking to my therapist every week and taking Prozac like my buddy Tony in The Sopranos. I’m also taking pills for high blood pressure. And for hashimotos (a thyroid thing) so I think I need to try to heal myself and write about it before I can write about anything else. 

Don’t get me wrong. I am so incredibly mad about everything that has been going on. The fact that women can’t have abortions now: it’s totally insane. And it’s all because everything in this country is run by people who think there’s a god and that god gets mad every time an abortion happens. But it doesn’t care if you buy many guns and go shoot a school. Fucking bullshit. But before I can write about those things, I need to heal myself from inside out. I’m dealing with my own wars first so I can deal with the rest after that. That’s what MakeWar is all about. 

Scene Point Blank: You sang in English and Spanish on the last record. Was that because it fit a particular song, or is it something the band is exploring more of, moving forward?

Jose: Edwin writes the Spanish songs. We are all from South America but I have never written lyrics in Spanish before, even though it's my first language. I really want to try to push myself to do it. But, yeah, we want to keep writing more and more Spanish songs. This new record will have more than a couple. I grew up not knowing any English and I didn’t understand any of the lyrics of some of my favorite bands. If my favorite bands had any songs in Spanish I would’ve been so stoked! So maybe this can happen to someone else. 

Scene Point Blank: How much have you been playing live in the (for lack of a better term), "post-COVID" environment?

Jose: We went on tour last summer thinking that covid was over: pre omicron. It was a beautiful thing, playing for the first time after covid. [It] made us all so emotional -- and then shit got even weirder. 

We played Fest last year too. And everyone was masked and it was rad. But Fest to me is about friendship and hugs -- and we couldn’t have that. This year seems like everything is working out. I really hope it stays like that and we don’t have to talk about covid anymore on interviews, haha.

Scene Point Blank: Are you touring to Fest 20?

Jose: Sadly we are not. No more tours for us until the new record comes out.

Scene Point Blank: You played Fest 19 as you just said. How did it feel given the pandemic challenges leading up to it (and causing Fest to skip a year)?

Jose: Last Fest was a weird one. But I’m really glad it happened and I’m glad we played it. I feel like it just made Fest stronger. 

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played so far?

Jose: I think this is gonna be Fest 7 for us, counting the first one we played as Sad And French. Maybe 6th? I don’t know. Do you know?

Scene Point Blank: What is the most memorable moment or year for you at Fest (as a performer)? Do you have a memory that stands out about a particular crowd or otherwise striking moment?

Jose: I think it was Fest 17. We did really well at Fest 16 and were excited for 17. But we didn’t expect to sell out the High Dive! That was crazy. We were all so hungover from the day before but all of that went away with the first chord. Everyone was so fucking stoked. In the middle of the set we released some inflatable orcas. And people went fucking nuts. Part of the ceiling at the High Dive came down. People tried to stage dive with the orcas. It was bananas. Favorite Fest show ever. I will never forget that night. 

Scene Point Blank: Do you have any Fest traditions?

Jose: I feel like our tradition is to always book our hotels last minute. I just remember we haven’t done that yet. Shit! 

Our first Fest we all got cigarette burns on our arms and said we were gonna do that at every Fest. I’m glad that didn’t stick. 

Jose: I sang a song with Arms Aloft at Fest 17. Maybe that could be my tradition: to sing a song with a friend’s band. 

Scene Point Blank: How do you feel the festival has evolved since you first attended?

Jose: I actually don’t think it has. It feels the same and that’s ok. I love Fest.

Scene Point Blank: What bands are you most excited about this year?

Jose: I’m really stoked to see the Flats. They haven’t played in a while and I fucking love them. I know our friend Dallas is super stoked that AAA is playing. Cobra Skulls are playing Fest and that rules! I really hope they keep playing forever. The Menzos playing On The Impossible Past is going to rule. I really love that record. 

Scene Point Blank: I want to close with a "lighting round" interview. This is email, but try to give quick answers without thinking about them too much:

If you could choose, what band would you like to share a stage with this year at Fest?

Jose: Flats

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite Fest venue to see a show?

Jose: High Dive

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite "non-Fest" thing to do while in Gainesville?

Jose: Eat burritos at La Tienda.

Scene Point Blank: What small or "lesser known" band should people reading this make sure they go see?

Jose: Lone Wolf from Netherlands. We saw them once at Pouzza Fest and they blew our mind. We are playing our prefest show at Loosey's with them on the Thursday before Fest.

Scene Point Blank: Who had the best set at last year's Fest?

Jose: Pass Away. It was their first Fest. It was so sick to see them rock Fest.

Scene Point Blank: Should we expect surprises at Fest 20 from MakeWar?

Jose: We might bring the orcas back. 

Scene Point Blank: Anything you'd like to add?

Jose: So stoked for Fest this year! 

Let’s party!