Fest Or Die: AP's essential picks for The Fest 11

Managing editor Scott Heisel isn’t new to The Fest. He attended every year since 2005, making this his eighth trek to downtown Gainesville, Florida, for a three-day extravaganza of bands, beards, beers and bro-downs. As literally hundreds of bands big and small play each year, it’s impossible to see everyone. So let Scott’s suggestions serve as a punk-rock Frommer’s guide for your Festing.

BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY! (Sunday, 7-7:40 p.m., 8 Seconds)
Bomb The Music Industry!Given their recent announcement that they’re sorta-kinda-maybe breaking up/hiatusing/taking some personal time/whathaveyou and the outpouring of emotion from fans that followed, you’d be a fool not to catch what might be Bomb The Music Industry!’s final Fest set. Past years have included everything from candy being thrown at the audience to impromptu Weakerthans covers. We’re guessing the Bomb-ardiers have something up their sleeve for this year.

BRAID (Saturday, 12:20-1:20 a.m., 8 Seconds)
BraidThis will be Braid’s first time playing the Fest (seeing as how they were, uh, broken up for the majority of the past 11 years), but the band’s recent reunion tour was sold out just about everywhere it went and featured plenty of songs that sound just as awesome in 2012 as they did in 1998. While the band are remaining active, it’s doubtful they will get down to Florida again any time soon, so don’t miss this opportunity to see one of second-wave emo’s standard-bearers in the flesh.

CANDY HEARTS (Saturday, 8:10-8:40 p.m., Boca Fiesta [inside])
Candy HeartsWhile plenty of Festers have XX chromosomes, there's a significant under-representation of women onstage versus in the crowd. Thankfully Candy Hearts are helping to even things out. Fronted by Mariel Loveland and carrying a brand new six-song EP produced by New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert in their back pockets, look for Candy Hearts’ set to be full of free-spirited, fun sing-alongs.

JOYCE MANOR (Sunday, 3:00-3:40 p.m., Florida Theater of Gainesville)
Joyce ManorThis California four-piece have been blowing up throughout the past year, thanks in part to their two killer “full-lengths” that total just under 32 minutes’ worth of music. Seeing as their set time is a half-hour, you’re guaranteed to hear virtually their entire catalog, especially the absolutely crushing “Constant Headache.” (Expect some serious stage invasions for that one.)

KYLE KINANE (Sunday, 5:30-6 p.m. & 9:30-10 p.m., Rockey’s Piano Bar)
Kyle Kinane Last year’s Fest featured the inaugural Fest Comedy Showcase, and even though Kyle Kinane didn’t headline it, there was no question he stole the show. This year he’s back headlining not one but two comedy shows–a matinee and an evening performance–and you would be foolish if you didn’t make time for at least one of them. Bonus: There are lots of seats at Rockey’s Piano Bar, and by Sunday night, all you’re going to want to do is sit down.

MASKED INTRUDER (Sunday, 8:20-8:50 p.m., Durty Nelly’s)
Masked Intruder Just who are these masked men? We aren’t going to reveal their identities (mainly out of fear of retaliation), but we will highly endorse their adorably feisty, lovelorn take on classic Ramones-esque pop-punk. They’re just as tight live as they are on CD, so expect crisp harmonies, great melodies and plenty of crime-related between-song banter. Check your pockets before you leave the venue, folks.

SAINTHOOD REPS (Sunday, 8:10-8:40 p.m., High Dive)
Sainthood Reps I’ve seen more than my fair share of killer Fest sets over the years, but Sainthood Reps’ performance at the Atlantic last year left me with my jaw on the floor. Rarely have I been that moved like that before, and I think everyone else in the tiny club felt the same way. This year, the band are back and playing a significantly larger venue (right in between the equally killer Reverse The Curse and Comadre), so hopefully they’ll deliver a set even more electric than last year’s.

SIGNALS MIDWEST (Saturday, 8-8:30 p.m., the Laboratory)
Signals Midwest Personal bias: These kids are from Cleveland, and are undoubtedly the brightest light in punk rock our city currently has. This is their first Fest, so check ’em out and prepare to be blown away.

 

 

STAY AHEAD OF THE WEATHER (Friday, 12-12:30 a.m., High Dive)
Stay Ahead Of The Weather With Into It. Over It. on their first-ever full-band tour, we could just as easily recommend their Fest set which will immediately follow this one. But given that Evan Weiss’ other band, Stay Ahead Of The Weather, play an average of, like, two shows a year means that this one is an absolute no-brainer. Bonus: They only have something like six or seven songs total, so you’re bound to hear all of ‘em.

FRANK TURNER (Sunday, 11 p.m.-12 a.m., 8 Seconds)
The last time Frank Turner played the Fest, he covered “Linoleum” onstage with Fat Mike joining him, ended up performing outside in the parking lot and getting the cops called on him, then bounced from hotel room to hotel room later that night playing bedside shows for anyone within earshot. This dude’s nomadic lifestyle is the living embodiment of the Fest, and you owe it to yourself to take him in.