Annual For Real Fest returns to “Crush the False”
By Dani Purcell, Staff Writer
April 24, 2008 | noon
For Real Fest seeks to incorporate attendees in the community while simultaneously supporting underground music genres. Friday, April 25 marks the festival’s fourth birthday, and bands from across the nation plan to celebrate at The Union, Athens’ premiere rock-and-roll bar.
The Sunday following the end of last year’s fest, Ray Houska, founder and patron saint of Athens Hardcore, described feeling solemn and empty.
“Even though the weekend was so sweet and everything went well, for the first time in three years I had no reason to go out with a flyer for a show or sign on to the Internet to keep in contact with anybody,” he said. “I really didn’t know what to do.”
Houska’s impeding graduation and pursuit of work led him to believe his career and relocation would not allow investment toward a 2008 For Real Fest.
However, Houska relocated to Lancaster, Ohio, and the town’s close proximity to Athens left room for the festival to continue.
Throughout the years, support and contribution toward For Real Fest has widened. Houska noted that local DIY hero Max Wheeler organized several benefit events to financially support the fest, including The Final Showdown and a house show in March. In April, he organized a veggie hot dog sale outside the Union.
Houska made T-shirts for promotion but noted Athens’ increasing awareness and assistance from punk community members as For Real Fest rose in notoriety.
This year, the bill of For Real Fest appears promising with a fair share of punk-derived genres receiving representation. Straight edge hardcore, crust punk and a handful of other music types receive attention in this jumble of genres.
Sick Fix, a D.C. straight edge act with brutal lyrics adhering to acutely political concepts, plays on Saturday, April 26. Its snarling female vocals express sincere concern for social issues, as well as contempt for those who fuel such chaos, over crushing, driving guitar lines. Sick Fix seeks to challenge its listeners to consider their surroundings.
Appalachian Terror Unit seems to express similar apprehension, lyrically attacking overtly political subject matter. This Huntington, W.Va., crust outfit has differentiated itself– ATU has toured nationally and scored big by signing with legendary punk label Profane Existence. This For Real Fest veteran guarantees a solid set.
Perhaps the most well-known and lovable of For Real Fest veterans, however, is Columbus native Triceratops. Notorious for “bringing the party,” this danceable hardcore band has caused its fair share of mischief in Athens.
“[This year,] I’m expecting a lot more antics!" said Chris Kestner, Triceratops guitarist. "People were pretty crazy last year. The lights got ripped down, like, 30 seconds into our first song. I’m expecting not necessarily destroying the club.”
Kestner described Triceratops’ relationship to Athens in an optimistic light. In comparison to other cities, Athens seemed to provide the band with positive reaction and interaction during its shows.
“[Athens kids] are crazy but respectful to the other people in the venue as well, and they understand the genre a lot more,” Kestner said.
Other notable bands include D.C. straight edge, Coke Bust, and Lemuria, a quirky trio of New York natives.
While this event seeks to welcome members into the local music scene, one of the more curious attributes of For Real Fest lies in a slightly contradictory phrase advertised on flyers and in Houska’s MySpace bulletins: “Crush the False.”
“It’s sort of a response to a lot of kids who come to our community and don’t give back at all. They just take, take, take,” Houska said. “We want to encourage more participation and [make] everybody feel more welcome, as opposed to just showing up and supporting one act.”
“And I think it sounds cool,” he added.
Despite what aspirations For Real Fest may have to “Crush the False,” the event’s purpose, which is to provide a weekend packed with an eclectic line-up encompassing multiple genres, has changed. The fest fuels a subculture and nurtures independent music but reached its true purpose in its evolution to include a wider scope of community.
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The first show begins Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.
For more information, including a full list of bands, please visit the For Real Fest MySpace.