Report: Fun Fun Fun Fest Day 2 (11-5)

The Good, The Bad and the Damned: day 2 in Austin, Nov. 5, 2011

Photos/Text by Michael Passman

Fun Fun Fun Fest '11 opened up with a blast.  The dust didn't settle for Day Two.  It kicked up.  Luckily, sponsors both large and small gave out bandanas to make a scene somewhere between Straight To Hell and Sandanista.  Unfortunately, no such thing exists for cameras. 

For those who skipped the late night festivities from Friday or were able to get up and nurse themselves to life with Topo Chico and tacos, they were treated to the likes of Shapes Have Fangs, Blackie, and Future Islands.  T-Bird and The Breaks hit The Blue Stage at Two with a rousing, high energy, set of swingin' soul that got the crowd moving. (Go here to see our report from Day 1.)

1.  T Bird and The Breaks: Blue Stage

Later that afternoon on The Black Stage, ‘80s death metal men Dead Horse reminded everyone it's never too early to put in earplugs with a furious set of guitar thrash and pounding drums.

2:  Dead Horse: Black Stage

Chamber pop darlings Ra Ra Riot took the Orange Stage a half mile or so away shortly afterwards and wowed the now almost awake afternoon crowd.

3:  Ra Ra Riot: Orange Stage

Going on simultaneously was Cold Cave on the Blue Stage and Johnny Pemberton on The Blue Stage.  With things in full swing Saturday and a much larger crowd, it was harder to navigate as easily, but I got back over to The Black Stage to catch Paint It Black, which felt like an ‘80s hardcore punk show, despite the large stage, the growing dust, and the lingering aroma from Danzig's prima donna antics the night before with Den Yernin's intensity and readiness to bring the wall down between the stage and the devoted crowd. 

4: Paint It Black: The Black Stage

5: Dan Yernin uniting with the crowd, Paint It Black: The Black Stage

A hurried jaunt back over to The Orange Stage brought Girls, a slower tempo Cali act known for songs of love, heartbreak, and pizza.  The mic stands and organ were fully adorned with fresh flowers, the back up singers grooved, and I'm always a sucker for a Rickenbacker guitar.  Co-lead Christopher Owens strumming on his Maple Glo was a little personal treat for the weekend.

6:  Girls

7. Christopher Owens, Girls

Before I knew it, it got late.  It was time for '77 UK punk legends The Damned!  They took The Black Stage at nine and owned it and the crowd from start to finish.  The Damned have gone back and forth over the past 15 years from small to mid size clubs.  I've seen them in both in the late ‘90s.  Despite their always semi goth leanings, they felt like a punk band stuck in a goth club, and looked that way, too.  The addition of an keyboard player and Dave Vanian's return to his true inner showman brought the crowd to life.  There was a home for everyone during songs like New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, their wailing cover of The Stooges "I Feel Alright", a song from the seminal ‘80s Black Album, and the closing "Smash It Up".  The crowd was completely mixed and elated.  In legendary punk rock fashion, the crowd became one.  Phenomenal.

8: Damned One: Dave Vanian

9.  Damned Two:  Captain Sensible

10.   Damned Three: The Damned (1 + 1 + 1= Damned, Damned, Damned!)