What started out in sunshine quickly turned to clouds and drizzle, as Chicago gloom-rockers Disappears and noise-indie-rock group Cymbals Eat Guitars opened the day. The Dutchess & The Duke followed on the smaller stage, offering a weak and inconsistent collection; Plants and Animals fared better, delivering its brand of uptempo indie rock. They play Schubas tonight—if I’m not too exhausted, I’m thinking of heading up there, assuming I’ll be too tired to fight the crowds at Subt for Harvey Milk.
By far the most thrilling of the day so far has been Toronto’s post-hardcore group Fucked Up. Lead singer (screamer) Pink Eyes immediately thrust himself into the crowd, inciting fans to pump their fists, igniting a whole sea of thrashing anger. Inspiring them more, he removed his shirt to reveal some serious fatty back hair—beachballs be doomed, as those launched on stage were quickly torn to pieces by the singer. Uh, with his teeth. (One wound up torn and worn on his head.) Like last night’s Jesus Lizard set, it was all energy and power, just as expected. For sure a highlight.
The Antlers played their melancholic, sort-of shoegazer stuff. Not bad, at times quite impressive, but definitely over-dramatic and downer material that got a little old, especially with the overpowering Fucked Up playing on an opposite stage.
Next up, shoegazer pop from the too-twee-for-words Pains of Being Pure at Heart… (Tom Lynch)