Feature / Music
Pre-gaming For The Fest

Words: Scottie • Posted pre-2010

Cloak/Dagger

Scene Point Blank: How many times has the band played The Fest?

Cloak/Dagger: This year is going to be our second time at The Fest and it is going to be at the end of our U.S. tour. Can't wait.

Scene Point Blank: Seeing how The Fest has been dubbed the pinnacle of beard rock, which bands playing do you think have the best bearded members? Do you have suggestions or requests for facial hair at this year's The Fest?

Cloak/Dagger: I think out of all the bands I watched play last year no one was bearded. I think that if people rocked a Captain Lou Albino look with rubber bands in their beards I could get behind that.

Scene Point Blank: What have been some of the high and low points of previous The Fests?

Cloak/Dagger: High point was playing the show, eating tacos, Collin kissing some strange man and seeing pretty much all of Richmond relocating to Florida. The low point was some drunk kid wiping blood on me as he passed grabbing at my Paint It Black shirt saying, "Fuck yeah that band rules"!

Scene Point Blank: What bands are you most psyched to see at this year's The Fest?

Cloak/Dagger: Without a doubt number one on the list is Marked Men. We all love that band and they don't play too much outside of Texas. I also want to see the reunited 108, Government Warning, of course and Avail.

Scene Point Blank: What are you most looking forward to aside from seeing other bands at this year's The Fest?

Cloak/Dagger: Seeing the Richmond field trip after being gone from home for a month. Hanging out eating horrible food and seeing friends you don't see all the time all in one place.

Scene Point Blank: For all the first timers do you have any advice before attending The Fest this year or any suggestions for things to check out in the off time?

Cloak/Dagger: Get ready to be showed out. Check out some newer bands you haven't seen yet at the smaller shows. Be nice to the pizza spot down the street and buy our new CD, thanks.

Related features

Fest 23: Artist Interviews

Interviews / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

FEST 23 takes place later this month, from Oct. 24-26 in Gainesville, FL. Something like a billion bands are driving, flying, canoeing, and snowshoeing to the festival from across the country -- many of them for the first time and many come back to play nearly every year. Scene Point … Read more

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

Guest List: ADD Records Picks 5 Favorite Leatherface Songs

Music / The Set List • October 18, 2025

This summer Little Rocket Records announced Leatherface: The Peel Sessions, a collection of live studio recordings with Leatherface from the 1990s with the late John Peel. While Little Rocket handled the release, ADD Records took on US distribution for a limited release. Available from ADD records here As Leatherface means … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more

moja

One Question Interviews • September 24, 2025

moja SPB: How old were you when you learned your first instrument? Masumi: My first instrument was YAMAHA Electone when I was five years old. Haru: I’ve never actually had formal lessons -- I’m totally self-taught. I bought my first instrument back in junior high just to start a band … Read more

More from this section

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

Guest List: ADD Records Picks 5 Favorite Leatherface Songs

Music / The Set List • October 18, 2025

This summer Little Rocket Records announced Leatherface: The Peel Sessions, a collection of live studio recordings with Leatherface from the 1990s with the late John Peel. While Little Rocket handled the release, ADD Records took on US distribution for a limited release. Available from ADD records here As Leatherface means … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more