Summerfest 2011. At first look, the lineup was a disappointment. I picked out 5 days, with a possibility of 6. Mike Barylski, King of Summerfest, fell short of a double gautlet by one day...doh! I tried something new this year...the Walkabout. Twice. Both Walkabouts turned out pretty good. Walkabout #1 just took us past a few stages to see Styx. This crowd was huge, but we showed up just in time for Come Sail Away...even the Amphitheater crowd lined up to sing along and watch. Walkabout #2 saw Pam and I catch up with Mike (who went walkabout earlier) to see Dashboard Confessional (Vindicated) and Bodeans (Don't Pass Me Over). Add in catching the Meat Puppet (Backwater), and I have a new appreciation for the Walkabout. However, timing is everything with these (I recommend setlist.fm),and showing up too late or early could ruin the whole experience.
But, I don't attend Summerfest in the hope of nailing a perfect Walkabout. I'm there to see certain bands...so on to the real deal, and the bands I saw. Contrary to prior years, I am ranking some bands that I did not see 100% of their show...the reason will be obvious. Only 13 bands this year...
13. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - We saw them 2 year ago, and they put on a pretty bad set. But being teh nice people we are, we decided to give them another shot. FAIL. This band is absolutely horrible live! Their lead singer can't sing. They have no stage presence. They are informative however, and we knew that they were going to play some new stuff and some old stuff. This was the first time I've ever left a stage in the middle of a set. It actually felt good to not have to sit through that crap. This lead to Walkabout #1 noted above. The next time I see this band, they will have a new lead singer.
12. Ocean Grove - I'm not even sure if I saw this band. I think we were there, but anyway, they couldn't have been worse than RJA.
11. Civil Twilight - Okay. So I didn't really see this band either. I was talking to Troy most of the this show off to the side. They were still better than RJA.
10. Shinobi Ninja - This was the 6:00 band before Flatfoot 56/Rise Against. It started out with a DJ just mixing records and playing crap. Then a full band came out and played. It was alright.
9. Dirge Within - This band was a 6:30 show. They were your typical hard rock/metal band. A lot of words nobody understands. Okay band to listen to while waiting for Ten Years and Hollywood Undead.
8. Buckcherry - Well, I didn't really want to see this band in the first place. Not really familiar with their stuff...knew a few songs, but I think they only played 2 songs I knew in their setlist. I stayed long enough to hear Lit Up. Then I couldn't take the anorexi singer's shirtless, tattooed torso, with his pants threatening to fall down and release his man junk all over. Top that off with the annoying whiny high pitched voice, and I didn't need to see anymore. Oh, they tried to really put on a good show, with ramp and stairs and some lights...but it wasn't working for me. I don't plan on seeing these guys again, as I now cannot listem ot them witouth being annoyed by the lead singer's voice. Another show that I left early, which led to a very successful Walkbout #2.
7. Of Verona - This was the band with the chick lead singer that looked like Avril Lavigne. They had a bit of a different sound with some keyboard and a new instrument to debut at summerfest...the laptop! Yes, I think the keyboard guy was playing the computer at one point. I did really like their sound.
6. REO Speedwagon - The wif dragged me to this one. Okay, I volunteered to go with her. It was a decent show. They are known for their ballads and sing along songs, and they played them well. I didn't realize that their guitarist really jammed out on almost every song. The singer got a bit long-winded with tlaking in the middel of the show..."You know, when times are tough, we just have to stick together and ride the storm out..."
5. Flatfoot 56 - A band featuring bag pipes, a ukulele, and a lot of stomping around the stage. To hear a metal band using bagpipes was quite unique...the the first few songs. I definitely liked their sound and they rocked, but they also got a little repetitive. The songs started to blend a littel. Add to that a rowdy crowd that was tossing water bottles, soda bottles, and beer all over, and I lost a little of this band's show. Still good enough to be top 5.
4. Saving Abel - Opening night. Excitement high. Saving Abel put on another pretty good show. They were rocking out with their souther style rock. I like that it's a different sound than most rock bands. The one problem...they played God's Eyes accoustically! Idiots! That song was my favorite and they mucked it up with some accoustic guitars. The rest of the show was pretty good.
3. Ten Years - An 8:00 show. I was really looking forward to them. I thought they really put on a good show. It was a little bit of a downer that the kids seemed to be there for Hollywood Undead, so the crowd wasn't into it very much. However, I liked their set. They played most of the songs I like. They're a little more mellow than the typical rock band, but they still bring a good sound. I'd like to see them when they play with a better crowd ro a better fit for who they open for.
2. Rise Against - I think I've now seen these guys 3 times. They've never disappointed and have always kicked some ass. They really know how to rock it and get the crowd going. So, why weren't they #1? Well, they did play Swing Life Away, but they played it a bit slow. Also, they did seem to have the guitars amped up a bit too much, drowning out the lead singer a bit. If I hadn't know the words to the songs, I wouldn't have known what he was singing on all the songs. They still rocked. I still love the band. I will see them again.
1. Hollywood Undead - Attack! Attack! (or so a brother thought). I was most looking forward to this band this year. Prefest ranked #1 by many people. They came out, masks on, wigger attire, and just rocked. Well, maybe rocked isn't quite right, since they are a rap/rock mix. I think this may be the most I've ever seen a Summerfest crowd into the band. Everyone's hands were in the air, singing along and having a good time, from the front all the way to the back, and even in the bleachers. They seem to have a perfect blend or rap/hip hop and rock. They don't actually do much musically, but having 7 white guys jumping around on stage just seems to work. Not only was this the best show of the year, but I get to see them again this Saturday...from a bit further back.
Other notables:
Recall from 2010 SF:
1. Last year I set an over/under on number of Chad days at SF at 2.5. If you took the over, you win! I think he was there for 3. I set next year's over/under at 3.
2. Last year I set the over/under on beers a brother would have at 132. I'm pretty sure the over wins. I can't set a number for next year...
Notes from this year:
1. Frolf record was set day 1 by Mike/Mark at -7, and was never really challgenge the rest of the time. Team frolf was tried, but lost a bit of its luster to a Nonchalant Chad.
2. No underagers served. Brother was approached, but refused, because, who buy beers for a dude?
3. Over/under on Walkabouts next year is at 1.
4. I'm getting old. After 3 days in a row and 4 out of 5, I needed some time off. Of course the Rhode's made a combined total of 7 round trips to the parents' houses to drop off the kids. We'll plan better next year.
Until next year, when we can all rock out again.
Signed,
Charlie Scene (on your girlfriend's...)
