Show Review – Punkfest

By: Nicole Wolfe

When: November 7, 2015
Venue: The Roxy Sideroom
Where: Barrie, Ontario

Old school punk met new generation punk at the Roxy Sideroom for PUNKFEST, another local indie show hosted by 53rd & 3rd Promo.  Five punk bands performed to an energetic crowd and demonstrated that punk music is alive and thriving in the indie music scene.  It was an honour to be in the presence of experienced punk rockers who demonstrated their music is not just for the younger generation.

Beyond the Wall was first to perform.  This young band was eager to shred on their guitars and they boasted the happiest drummer that I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.  I will definitely be looking to catch these boys in action again soon as they hold so much potential and promise to become future heavy hitters in the punk music industry.

Jean is Dead completely nailed their set.  Their sound was heavy and fast, the pounding drum beats were a testimony to classic, hard core punk and the gritty, energetic vocals showed incredible technicality and control.

The Groggies proved why they have been Barrie’s premiere punk band for years.  There is nothing quite like watching lead vocalist, Ian scream into the mic as he stared down the crowd with fierce intensity.  His stage antics were nothing short of brilliant.

Ship of Fools blended the sounds of metal and punk together.  I was impressed with the raspy vox of lead singer, Andrew, and his band mates were equally as talented.  Lead guitarist Niall played unleashed his inner beast on stage with a commanding presence, even leaving the stage at one point to play amongst the rowdy crowd.

Ruthless Ones mixed it up with a fun blend of ska and punk.  Sporting Hawaiian shirts, their grungy, syncopated melodies had me wishing for summer.  Of all the bands that performed, their mid-tempo jams with incredibly tight rhythms were the easiest to dance along to.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page for more pictures from this show!

Connect with Beyond the Wall:
Website: http://www.beyondthewallofficial.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondthewallofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Official_BTW

Connect with Jean is Dead:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanisdead/
Bandcamp: https://jeanisdead.bandcamp.com/

Connect with The Groggies:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegroggies/

Connect with Ship of Fools:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOFpunk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shipoffoolspunk
Bandcamp: http://sofpunk.bandcamp.com/

Connect with Ruthless Ones:
Website: www.ruthlessones.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthlessOnesMusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ruthless_Ones

Nicole Wolfe

I’m Nicole, a biology teacher by day, but my life revolves around music. I’m that girl that you will always find with the concert t-shirt on and ear buds in. It is rare that you find me without some type of music playing in the background. I connect all of my life experiences to music. It truly has its own language in my heart. There is nothing more exciting than taking in all that a concert has to offer. I love to support local Canadian acts and attend as many shows that I can.