Artists
Friday, Aug 9
MAKEWAR
Playing Friday 8/9
MakeWar es una lucha.
Una lucha en contra de la ignorancia y el odio.
Una lucha para hacer lo que quieres en lugar de lo que se supone que debes hacer.
Una lucha para mantenerse de pie cuando todo te está derribando.
Es luchar por tus sueños y brindar por tus logros.
Es una pelea constante en contra de todo lo que te detiene.
Por eso MakeWar suena a libertad.
La libertad de poder ser quien quieras ser.
Jose es de Venezuela
Edwin es de Colombia
Alejandro es de Venezuela
THE IRON ROSES
Playing FRIDAY 8/9
The Iron Roses are a passionate, unique, and beautiful group of people making music that we hope will change the world. Fueled by the injustices of our current times – their songs are the kind of protest anthems that only a group of seasoned musicians could make. Still angry, still driven, and still screaming – this is a band that will never give up the fight.
ENDLINGS
Playing FRIDAY 8/9
Endlings are four friends making music about the end times. Drawing on a wide and varied set of influences, their music has emerged as raw and expansive, dark and exploratory. They are making heads bang and hearts throb at music venues across the D.C. metro area with a bleeding edge sound. The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.
FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD
Playing FRIDAY 8/9
Flowers for the Dead is the DC-based alternative rock project of guitarist/vocalist Jessie Szegö, bassist Ella Buskirk, and drummer Ten Bears. Their first release in October of 2021 being a 5 song EP titled ‘Nova’, engineered by local hardcore producer Don Zientara. Despite being only 5 songs long, Nova displayed an array of musical ideas. Toying with odd time signatures and guitar effects, all while nodding to the band’s influence of 90s rock and alternative. Sonically very dark and gritty with lyrics mirroring that unsettling feeling; tackling themes of depression, temptation, and death. Following the release of Nova, Szegö released the band’s debut album ‘Quiet Corrosion in the Dancing Hall’ in June of 2022. Quiet Corrosion saw the band expanding on their previous sound, while leaning more into indie rock and elements of shoegaze.
Saturday, Aug 10
The Dopamines
Playing Saturday 8/10
Stupid drunk pop-punk from Cincinnati. It turns out the only way to reach them is by butt dialing them while drinking a 40oz.
WORLDS SCARIEST POLICE CHASES
Playing SATURDAY 8/10
Roses are red,
veggies are bland.
WSPC are a real cool band.
DOLL BABY
Playing SATURDAY 8/10
Doll Baby is an alternative punk band from Richmond, Virginia. The band was formed in 2015 by Julie Storey and brothers Dan and Eric Kelly, with the current addition of Jake Guralnik. Their debut EP “Polliwog” was released by Crystal Pistol Records in 2016 and was followed by their 2017 EP, “Hell Block” released by Egghunt Records. Their sound is a blend of 90s influenced grunge rock with the band’s punk roots. The band features the separate influences of each member, effortlessly forming Doll Baby’s unique sound. They recently released their much anticipated first full length album “Heirloom” in 2024 on Big Distance Records.
OVER OUR EYES
Playing SATURDAY 8/10
Punk rock from Baltimore Maryland. Currently, Over Our Eyes is promoting their second record (first full length) Paper Ships which was released in 2022 digitally and 2023 in all formats on Coffin Curse Records. Over Our Eyes blends a style of early 90s punk rock with a more melodic yet aggressive vibe. Over Our Eyes lends well to fans of bands such as Leatherface, Hot Water Music, Avail, Jawbreaker and Red City Radio. Over Our Eyes has locally and regionally supported bands Such as The Bouncing Souls, Strung Out, The Menzingers, Off With Their Heads, Iron Chic, The Dwarves, Samiam, Field Day, The Ataris, Red City Radio, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Queers, The Dickies, The Dollyrots, Tsunami Bomb and many more notable national/international punk rock bands.
CHERUB TREE
Playing SATURDAY 8/10
Acclaimed ‘Bubble-Grunge’ band Cherub Tree paves a new road in the punk and indie scene with their eclectic musical style – combining influences from genres such as punk, grunge-pop, indie, and rock. Cherub Tree released their long-awaited single in late 2023, titled “not yours, never was”; a Riot-Grrrl anthem inspired by their Punk Rock, 90’s Grunge, and Riot Grrrl influences. Paying homage to their historic DC Punk scene, Cherub Tree’s new single has received heavy accolades and praise, providing Cherub Tree the opportunity to experiment with heavier tones and vocals as they record their debut album. Their latest single has also led Cherub Tree to separate 2024 Wammie Award nominations, collaborations with various DC community organizations, and has solidified Cherub Tree as one of the top up-and-coming rock bands to watch in the DC area.
Sunday, Aug 11
BRENDAN KELLY
Playing SUNDAY 8/11
Brendan Kelly has been voted “Best Twitter” by Chicago Reader, was a TV Host, is the guy behind Nihilist Arby’s, sings in The Lawrence Arms, works at The Onion, makes weird art… the list goes on. Now after a couple years crafting deviant songs he has something new for his cult to consume: a 10-song album called Keep Walkin’ Pal. He releases his “solo” material under the name Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds, but this is not some emo boy with a guitar or another “punk goes acoustic” outing, this is an artist collective like Wu-Tang Clan or Crass. It involves musicians, visual artists, studio nerds, and even a college film professor. We’re not sure how to describe this wild record (Space Rock? Chiptune?), but we know it’s a likable mix and a real departure from what you’re used to hearing from Brendan and this scene.
KEEP FLYING
Playing SUNDAY 8/11
Keep Flying is a 6 piece band hailing from the Northeast USA. Punk rock with horns, thats right, horns. The band mixes a combination of sounds from emo to pop punk to punk adding a splash of saxophone & trombone to lead the march. Add in the vocal stylings with the transparent yet relatable lyrics and you’ve created something fresh and new. With a unique sound, honest songwriting, and an explosive live show, the band has been able to turn heads of fans and bands alike, touring and performing with such acts as The Bouncing Souls, Bowling For Soup, Real Friends, Reel Big Fish, State Champs, Four Year Strong, Less Than Jake, Big D and the Kids Table as well as multiple appearances on the Four Chord, Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Great South Bay, So What?!, The FEST, and many more.
AMERICAN TELEVISION
Playing SUNDAY 8/11
American Television delivers a unique, yet familiar brand of fast-paced, melodic punk rock. With their latest release, SCARS (September 22, 2023) on Smart Punk Records, they have continued to sharpen their songwriting skills with a socially conscious sentimentality and an infectious intensity. Living in the shadow of Washington DC, the political turmoil helps shape their angst, exhaustion, personal traumas, and a dash of hope into a Molotov cocktail of melody and vitriol aimed at the system and their own demons.
HEART & LUNG
Playing SUNDAY 8/11
We heard about Heart & Lung because they’re deeply involved in their community and are the go-to band for punk shows in Cleveland. And with three singers, this band has as much harmony as they do good karma. Real sweethearts—but they can party too! Imagine the smooth melodies of the Smoking Popes blended with rowdy Midwest punk like Dillinger Four. Look, they have three singers, so they can kinda do what they want, ya know? And with LeBron outta the way, Cleveland is long overdue for a punk champion! “Twistin’ The Knife Away” may be their Red Scare debut, but this band is no stranger to live shows. They’ll be hitting the road and reppin’ the North Coast all over the globe in support of this fantastic LP. And have we mentioned they got three singers?!?
TRUTH OR DARE
Playing SUNDAY 8/11
Truth or Dare is a pop punk band from Washington, DC. They write catchy and cathartic songs about being human, being an animal, and sometimes being both. The Basement Demo, their debut set of home recordings, was released in January 2024.
Breakin' Even Fest | Washington D.C. 