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When I think of a Fest, certain words and images immediately come to mind...I think of unified, endless weekends of music like Macrock, Krazyfest, Wilkes Barre Fest, Positive Numbers Fest, or Hellfest; something built upon the common spirit and sense of community that the punk rock scene facilitates. At least for a weekend, kids are brought together, big and small bands are brought together, and hopefully a ton of fun is had. So, initially my problem with Concerts East’s self-proclaimed First Annual Surf & Skate Fest (4-14-01) was the use of the term Fest, for something that seemed to be of the complete opposite spirit. Essentially, take a bunch of local bands (NY, NJ, CT, LI) and band from far away (FL), get them a big stage, hook-up some intense lighting, and boost their egos up into the stratosphere a bit further. Ah yes, and add a smoke machine for a more exaggerated effect. Rock-stars were born! But the harsh reality, that a bunch of small tours converged in New Jersey on this weekend, was rather clear. So rather than give the poor show-goer a chance to avoid what they didn’t want to see, we got it all in one stinking pile…and lets face it, Concerts East made a chunk of dough. Getting a late start on the day, I arrived at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ about an hour after the doors were scheduled to open. I immediately got separated from my “friends,” as they went to wait on the insanely long line. I, of course, ventured around back to get my photopass. Waiting for The Movielife’s manager to get/yell the pass out of the guy who was guarding the door, I breathed in the ocean air, and marveled at the spectacle that was going on around me. One girl inside asked me to grab Rob from Midtown for him to sign her t-shirt. Assorted local heroes and rockstars alike were getting stylish in suites and taking Polaroids, for what, I never quite figured out.
For all the days events, if there was anything to find respectable about Concerts East’s "Fest" it was this local stage idea, undoubtedly ripped off from the Warped Tour (which seemed to be their point from the get go). Though the local bands were hassled about getting any of their friends in (even just one), one can only expect that when something isn’t being done by the kids, for the kids, to unite the kids. But even thought the smell of money was all over this thing, I was told that the purpose of the smaller stage was to give some local bands exposure to a huge audience, which is obviously a cool idea. This point was truly exemplified at the time Shady View Terrace played. Overwhelmed, put on a pedestal (raised stage), and placed in front of more kids then it felt like they’ve ever played for before was the case for many. They even got their own barricade. So where’s the surf and the skate part of this ‘surf and skate fest’? you might ask. A familiar face I ran into told me that she heard the surfing had been cancelled (even though the Convention Hall is literally right on the beach). That left skating in question, which I never did see going down. I did however, spot a few kids who appeared to have won decks, even though I didn’t witness any giveaways. Most of the kids with a skate identifying pass were just a friend of someone with a connection. The only ramps I saw were rather petite and already being taken apart by the time Shady View Terrace ended playing at around four o’clock. No Skate and No Surf Fest? Perhaps that would be a better name. Cut out the bullshit, and be straight with everyone. Kids were there for the music not for sports anyway—they always are. Moving on with the day, getting past the ridiculous name,
and the endless
over-priced food venders, the first band I watched on the main stage was
Cooter, or as they told the crowd they were now being c But while the bands were living it up, it seemed many of the kids (especially those in the bleacher seats) were bored, and struggling to stay awake. I even had one friend remark to me that he “had really thought more good bands were playing.” Whether or not I agreed with that statement, I sure did make my share of similar comments prior to the day of the show. Looking back on it now though, it was a pretty good line-up for a Jersey crowd, but it was a tired line-up we’ve all seen way too much of. The Movielife came on the main stage next. It was my first time getting to see them (so you can imagine the awkwardness I went through
track In between sets I tried to hunt down the “friends” I had come with. I was generally unsuccessful, but I ran into just about everyone else I knew, and thus distracted from seeing many of New Jersey’s locals gracing the make shift side stage in the space outside the main room. On many of my roams around the place I found myself stopping for a moment to ingest a tune, realizing that I had absent mindedly forgotten this other stage was even there. Playing last
on the local stage was
Element 101. Rumor had i Getting back to the
main attractions, or at least the main stage:
The Youth Ahead and Shades Apart, two of New Jersey’s locals and Concerts East favorites, graced the main stage. As far as I could tell from the back, the kids seemed as into the
Youth A The evening rolled on
and the teen idols played their hearts out. A stage dominated by boys with guitars held Glassjaw, Hot Rod
Circuit, Midtown, Catch-22, and A New Found Glory in that order. Long Island was first to But any progress that Glassjaw made with the crowd was immediately abolished as
Hot Rod Circuit took the stage. Hot Rod Circuit is always kind of entertaining when you see them for the first time, especially if you keep a watchful eye on their long-haired guitar player throwing himself around the stage. As he flails, and his hair flops, he gives HRC’s performance a much needed injection of energy. But he was off to a rough start when his amp blew out, and the rest of the Circuit had to play as best they could as a three piece. Making every effort to pull things together, they took long pauses and talked about how much they needed him. Eventually things were fixed and he was bouncing all over the place for the rest of their performance. Next up were New Jersey’s newest emo-pop sensation
Midtown, breaking ground faster th Catch-22 hit the stage in what was to be their last area
appearan
So it seems that the 1st Annual Surf and Skate Fest was as successful as anyone over at Concerts East could hope. And who knows, as time goes on this thing may even grow into a festival worthy of skipping school, taking off work, saving money, and piling into the car for a long trip halfway across the country. But then again, is that really what we really want? Only time will tell… photo
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THE BANDS
A New Found
Glory THE LABELS Victory Records
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THE FANS
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