The fourth installment of Fuzz Fest, an invigorating and voluminous rock n roll music festival, kicks off Thursday, June 1, at the Blind Pig. This annual Michigan music showcase was started by Ann Arbor’s own Chris Taylor (of Shar Music) in 2014 as a blitzed out and bombastic night of music that demonstrated the eclectic varieties of rock styles created by a diverse range of local artists, each creating a new niche inside of the ostensibly guitar-centric genre.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there are 11 bands per night. The lineup for which can be found right here.
Since 2017 is Fuzz Fest 4, we wanted to give readers a chance to sample four of Ann Arbor’s own rock reinventors here, starting with Scissor Now’s “Sign Guy.”
“Rock n Roll is more alive now than I’ve ever seen it before,” said Taylor. “There are more bands and variety than you can count! It also seems like there are a ton of venues to play at all over. I guess people who say Rock is dead just aren’t paying attention.”
Taylor underlined the crucial support Jeremy Wheeler (of Bang! Media) and James Symons have provided in coordinating the considerably whirlwind-feeling weekend of music; their contributions span everything from running a light show, to general stage managing, or even Wheeler’s vibrant poster artwork.
Let’s listen to another song. Ann Arbor-based Wild Savages released a new single just two months ago called “Golem”
“It’s just, plain fun to plug into your amp and jam,” Taylor said, summarizing the ethos behind the whole festival. Taylor’s been in several local bands in the past, including Blue Snaggletooth. “Pedals aren’t necessary,” he said, assuring that there’s no pre-requisites to what can or can’t fit a rock aesthetic. “Distortion isn’t even essential. Just turn the amp up and see what happens! That’s what inspired me.”
Here’s Ann Arbor-based Human Skull with “The Lost & The Sacred Ones”
“Part of what keeps me coming back to do Fuzz Fest each year is just seeing if I can survive the whole three days. I mean, it’s kind of nuts! You’ve got 11 bands each night. I would say the positive response I get from the music community and my friends, that’s what keeps me coming back.”
Taylor’s looking forward to seeing Detroit’s Child Bite, a rather intense thrash-metal art-punk band that he’s been trying to book since the festival’s first year. There’s also one outside-of-Michigan music group coming in, that’s Lo-Pan from Columbus!
Before we get to the schedule, take a listen to Ann Arbor’s hardcore punk outfit Spooky Basements with “Spooky Basements”
FUZZ FEST 4
THURSDAY JUNE 1
Child Bite
Human Skull
JUNGLEFOWL
Wild Savages
Bubak
minihorse
Duende
The Jackpine Snag
Warhorses
Visitors
The Gruesome Twosome
FRIDAY JUNE 2
S.N.A.F.U.
BoneHawk
Lo-Pan
Wizard Union
Stone Ritual
The Lucid Furs
Cruthu
Red Stone Souls
Rotokiller
Lavamoth
HELLGHiLLiES
SATURDAY JUNE 3
The Amino Acids
Caveman & Bam Bam Detroit
Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor
Disinformants
Scissor Now
Skin Lies
Wiccans
Shells
Seritas
Steve Harvey Oswald
Spooky Basements
Lights by The Overhead Army
Sponsored this year by VG Kids, ARBCO Records, Life in Michigan, and the Music & Arts Guild
More info
June 1 – 3
Blind Pig
208 S. 1st St – Ann Arbor
Jeff covers music for Current, posting weekly show previews and highlighting new bands in the area.
