DS Show Review & Gallery: Cultivate Music Festival featuring Fishbone, Murphy’s Law, and the The Goddamn Gallows, among others. (Chicago. (08.25.2023-08.27.2023)

Chicago, IL saw the debut of another multi-genre music festival. The one-stage Cultivate Music Festival was at the same time, a celebration of Cannabis Culture. For festival organizers, vendors, musicians, and attendees, it was a good time. It was also a celebration of the fact that in the year 2023, citizens are able to use […]

Chicago, IL saw the debut of another multi-genre music festival. The one-stage Cultivate Music Festival was at the same time, a celebration of Cannabis Culture. For festival organizers, vendors, musicians, and attendees, it was a good time. It was also a celebration of the fact that in the year 2023, citizens are able to use cannabis not only medicinally but recreationally and in the open sans fear of prosecution. Of course, there was also some really good music and performances, including one of the more famous marijuana anthems in decades. Punk was just one of the genres, but those representative bands presented rollicking sets in an otherwise, yes, mellow weekend, including for those who don’t partake in cannabis themselves but agree its use should be legal.


Rewinding the festival from Sunday, August 27 to back to Friday, August 25:

Day 3

Fishbone had the crowd in hand. Angelo Moore led his bandmates through a non-stop set with his legendary facial expressions and dance moves. Strutting across the stage, kicking out his legs at times, other times playing the sax, Moore was electric.

As hyper as Moore was, John Norwood Fisher on bass and vocals was just as powerful in his stoicism while Walter Kibby aka Dirty Walt blasted away on his trumpet.

The trio, along with the rest of the band members, kept Fishbone sounding as fresh and as powerful as ever.


Afroman is not considered to be in the punk genre. However, watch the video to “Lemon Pound Cake,” the first song he performed at this fest, then look up the events that inspired Afroman to write the song. The man is punk AF.

Afroman, whose real name is Joseph Edgar Foreman, announced in December 2022, that he was running for President in 2024. I am not sure of the present status of his campaign but his judging from his abundantly fun set at this fest, I wouldn’t bet against him getting more than a few votes. Backed by DJ on The 1, Afroman led the crowd in a rousing rendition of his most famous tune. Many members of the crowd, those who partake holding up their various cannabis delivery implements, and those who don’t holding up their empty hands, sang loudly, when the title lyric came up. 

Oh, and the set was especially a treat for Vee Sonnets of The Crombies, as Afroman borrowed his guitar to play during his set. Afroman shows you don’t have to be “Punk” to be punk. 


The Crombies, one of the Chicago punk scene’s favorite hometown two-tone ska outfit, put on an exuberant performance. Lead singer Mike Park (note his Instagram and yes that is me in his most recent image, with long-time friends, including those in the band, and familiar-looking new acquaintances. Photo by Corinne Lydon) in his signature chilled out mode. Despite a recent very serious clavicle break earlier this year, guitar player Dave Simon spun around the stage, as bass player Kevin Lustrup pogoed in place. 

Guitar player Vee Sonnets, drummer Matt Meuzelaar, and keyboardist Karl Gustafson provided powerful, if not flashy, work. They put the steady in rock steady. Gustafson sported a t-shirt emblazoned with words that perfectly sum up the spirit of the festival: “Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago.” As a born and raised on Long Island transplant to the Windy City, I have slightly conflicted feelings about it. But I dig it and think much is true about it, sans pizza. (NY Slices for life!) Prodigious trombone player, Andrew Zelm added a dash of classic 2-tone ska flair at the far side of the stage. Though Zelm is not always on stage with the band, he has played trombone on every The Crombies recording.

Speaking of horns, Park, who started playing trumpet in the 4th grade, showed off his considerable skills on the instrument.

I never get tired of watching a Crombies set. I am not alone in that, by far. 


Milwaukee’s Highball Holiday returned to Chicago and gave an energetic and affable performance. Paraphrasing the band’s lead singer, Shahanna McKinney Baldon, after spotting my cap with this site’s name emblazoned across it, she loudly alerted the crowd that “Dying Scene is in the house!” And we were, though the house was actually a parking lot on a steamy day. She also held up her phone throughout much of the set as she live-streamed the band’s performance. 

Highball Holiday also dedicated its performance to Matt Norberg, a member of the band who died on July 18, 2023. David Wake of De La Buena joined the band on stage to make sure they could still perform in the absence of Norberg. 

McKinney Baldon spoke of the struggles of mental illness, and had the crowd recite back to her, various crisis hotlines numbers. The national crisis hotline number is 988

But the band members also celebrated all of their loved ones, and life in general with a delightful set. 

Finally, McKinney Baldon made sure to point out sports teams in Milwaukee are better than those in Chicago, while simultaneously bemoaning that Wisconsin has not yet decriminalized cannabis use.  

These highballers sure know how make every single day a holiday. 


Day 2

Day 2 was an easy one for DS, as there was just one band on our “to cover” list. The Goddamn Gallows, with Mikey Classic, at the helm, put on a rambunctious set. Baby Genius, was a spark plug on both on drums and when he took the mic and the headed to the front of the stage. The hard-hitting ensemble, which also included Jayke Orvis and Bafunfa, tore through its performance. The Goddamn Gallows are currently on tour so check them out when they hit your town. It’ll be a favor you grant yourself.


Day 1


Lucky Boys Confusion, another Chicago group, gave a forceful performance as the day moved into evening. It was an enjoyable set and the popular band fit well on the bill.


Andy Frasco & the U.N. put on a set easily described as dynamic. Frasco, at the keys, gave a magnetic performance. This was even more so when he moved to the hot pavement of the crowd area sans shoes. Dancing joyfully, Frasco requested those in attendance to hold hands as they sang a rendition of the Jewish Folk song Hava Nagila. Naturally, the crowd enthusiastically complied. Hava Nagila is traditionally played at various celebrations, perhaps most notably weddings. Andy Frasco and the U.N. left little doubt it found this Friday a time for celebrating.


Mac Sabbath, the fast food-themed Black Sabbath parody band, may seem silly at first and indeed they elicited many a laugh. But underlying the goofiness of musicians dressed as demented and eerie versions of the mascots for a certain fast food behemoth, there is actually a more serious message. Vocalist Ronald Osbourne, guitar player Slayer MacCheeze; bass player Grimalice on bass, the Catburglar on drums, are sending a warning. The warning being how fun, corporate-created characters are actually devices used to manipulate children into unhealthy eating habits which may last a lifetime. Neither the fun nor the message lost on a certain heavy metal legend and loving “Papa” to a young girl name Pearl in 2018. 


OTNES, out of Nashville, TN, kicked off the music at this fest in a solid way. Self-described as gender-bending pop, OTNES aka Emily Blue, might not be considered punk. However, the pleasant performance was a great way to kick off the festival.


Please see more photos from Cultivate Music Festival. Thanks, and Cheers!


Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

DS Show Review and Gallery: Motoblot 2023 Saturday with Labretta Suede & The Motel 6, Vang!, The Beat Creeps, and The Crombies. Chicago (06.23.2023)

The air was thick, but not yet due to the smokey skies from Canadian wildfires, which would eventually blanket over parts of the Midwest. Instead, this was your run-of-the-mill summer day-related weather condition. But sizzling could also describe the day’s musical acts. Vang!, The Beat Creeps, and Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 had the […]

The air was thick, but not yet due to the smokey skies from Canadian wildfires, which would eventually blanket over parts of the Midwest. Instead, this was your run-of-the-mill summer day-related weather condition. But sizzling could also describe the day’s musical acts. Vang!, The Beat Creeps, and Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 had the crowd sweating. The Crombies, brought its cool to provide a respite at the 10th annual Motoblot, a motorcycle rally and music fest.


Lucy DeKay of Aweful and Mystery Actions has formed yet another band. DeKay, along with Jay Howarth, Meg McDuff, and Elyse Dequina, introduced Vang! to Chicago with an explosive afternoon slot as its first-ever show. A Vang! bang you might say. The fiery set included “Bad Girl,” “Push,” “Demona 666,” and “Mannequins.” Vang! ended the set with “Let’s Ride.” DeKay said of that last song,

It’s about bikers! Haha perfect for Motoblot!

DeKay described the debut performance to me several days after Motoblot 2023 closed out,

I was so excited. Tiny bit of butterflies at the beginning and in between playing the songs, because Meg and I are shy talking on the mic believe it or not, was awkward but fun as fuck overall.”

For her part, McDuff,

I was nervous because me my guitar strings were loose, and I thought I was out of tune and my voice sounded like crap and it was so hot on stage I thought was going to pass out, lol.”

However, McDuff needn’t have worried,

But after hearing clips of what it sounded like from the audience perspective, it sounded good, and felt relieved.”

Vang! will continue providing opportunities for Chicago area punk fans to discover it with a pair of shows at Liar’s Club, on July 22, and August 4. You can also check out Vang! on the 5th of August at Jefferson Park Festival.


Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 arrived in its adopted hometown of New York City via New Zealand. But it made a stop in Dallas, TX on its way to The Big Apple. With its full-throttle approach to its set, the band seemed right at home performing among motorcycles from around the world.

While the entire band was a tight formation, the dynamic chemistry between lead singer Labretta Suede and guitar player Johnny Moondog, really stood out every time they shared the microphone.

Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 motored through a set list including, “Etiquette For Suckers,” “Teenagers Gettin’ High,” “Mean Mouthed Momma,” “Bait,” and “Crying Shame.” 

Labretta Suede revealed to me, some of the band’s history in the States, and mix behind the magic:

A few singles have come out on USA labels but I (labretta) am the driving force that drives the band. It’s the most juju strange & dangerous mom & pop/cottage industry brands around.

Check into the Motel 6 next chance you have, you may never want to check out.


The Beat Creeps brought the theatrics, with a bit of camp. Motoblot attendees were all there for it. As was I.

The band, comprised of Nic Roulette, Leilani Killgore, Ariel Dornbush, and Elliot Tanner, pummeled through its set, which included, “The Phantom,” “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” “Valley of Broken Hearts,” “I Don’t Want To Die,” and a rollicking cover of Nancy Sinatra’s “How Does That Grab Ya Darling?”

Lead singer Roulette utilized various items around the stage as props including a neon orange construction cone atop his skull. Several times he threw the mic stand and the mic itself into the photo pit. Of course, it is always a good idea to keep one eye looking through the lens and one eye on your surrounding whilst shooting a show, so I should note that those of us documenting the antics were never in danger of being struck such items. I also have little doubt that Roulette was at aware of his aim, to ensure no injuries, as well.

Instead, The Beat Creeps served an entertaining audio and visual feast to the crowd which heartily digested it. I look forward to a second helping sooner than later. It shouldn’t be too long a wait as the band plans to release a full-length album in 2024. Until then, the band, which self-describes, as, “Unapologetic garage rock and roll with a punk feel appeal to it.” That’s a pretty on-target description of The Beat Creeps.


Chicago’s very own two-tone outfit The Crombies, a staple of Motoblot, has always been a reliably fun band to see live. However, please know I am not at all suggesting its act has become monotonous. While there is a thread of consistency in the band members’ moves on stage, they possess the abilities to, nevertheless, make them seem fresh. The friendships amongst this band of brothers-from-other-mothers is obvious and results in a propulsive spark to The Crombies’ sets. Several play in other bands with each other, most especially Chicago’s legendary rock steady collective Deal’s Gone Bad (DGB). This day was no exception. Singer Mike Park, guitar players Vee Sonnets and Dave Simon, drummer Matt Meuzelaar, bass player Kevin Lustrup Anthony Abbinanti of the Drastics and who played with Sonnets and Simon in DGB (Park was the original singer as well) filled in for Karl Gustafson on keys.

Saturday’s set included a few The Crombies originals, “Unsavory Types,” “Sneaky Pete,” and “Putting On Airs.” The band also took the crowd through a tour of two-tone, ska, and reggae history with some classic covers. These included “Click, Click” by The English, “Little Bitch” by The Specials, Toots and the Maytals’ “Monkey Man,” and a mashup of two songs, “Chase the Devil” by Max Romeo and “English Civil War” by The Clash.

Abbinanti subbing for Gustafson was not the only different aspect to this year’s set. Unlike pretty much every other The Crombies Motoblot set I’ve witnessed, Simon did not ride the shoulders of a friend in the crowd. The fact that Simon was playing at all is a testament to his grit and stubbornness, as several weeks earlier, he broke his left clavicle when attending a punk show as a fan, not a performer. Even though Simon had very recently had surgery for the injury, with some visible black medical tape, he was able to tough it out. Surely it was not easy, as evidenced by the sight of him grimacing, and holding tight his injured wing post-set. So, from us at DS to D.S., we give him serious praise if not also a bit of concern. Ardent fans of The Crombies, and of Simon himself, need him back whole and I look forward to Simon once again playing atop shoulders at Motoblot 2024. Taking place again in this, per Carl Sandburg, City of the Big Shoulders.


Please check out more photos from the show. Also, stay tuned for coverage Sunday’s sets, by my colleague ManVsFriction, coming soon.


Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

DS Show Review & Gallery: The Slackers, The Crombies, & The Operator in Chicago (11/11/2022)

The Slackers returned to Reggie’s to headline a bill which included their local friends in The Crombies, plus The Operator, and Highball Holiday. The Slackers, Chicago favorites from New York City, once again treated their fans to a rousing performance. Vic Ruggiero, Glen Pine, Jay Nugent, Dave Hillyard, Ara Babajian, and Marcus Geard tore through […]

The Slackers returned to Reggie’s to headline a bill which included their local friends in The Crombies, plus The Operator, and Highball Holiday.


The Slackers, Chicago favorites from New York City, once again treated their fans to a rousing performance. Vic Ruggiero, Glen Pine, Jay Nugent, Dave Hillyard, Ara Babajian, and Marcus Geard tore through a setlist including “Fried Chicken/Mary, Mary,” “And I Wonder,” “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya,” “I Still Love You,” and “Wasted Days.” Per usual, The Slackers brought to the Windy City a lively and fun experience.


When The Slackers hit Chicago, many fans may guess correctly that The Crombies will be on the same bill. The two groups have a tight bond in more than one way. Three members of The Crombies (Mike Park, Dave Simon, and Karl Gustafson) are also past or present members of Deal’s Gone Bad. Some of their DGB bandmates and some of The Slackers members have formed Deal’s Gone Slack. It’s an indirect secondary connection but still should not be dismissed outright.

As for the Chicago’s very popular rocksteady outfit, the above mentioned members, along with bandmates Karl Gustafson, Matt Meuzelaar, and Kevin Lustrup blasted through their set which included “Hooligans,” “Staring At Rude Boys,” “Plastic Gangsters,” and “Levi Stubbs’ Tears.” The Crombies also performed its great cover of a song from my favorite band, The Clash: “English Civil War.” Each member has a very distinct onstage presence but it all adds to a cohesive unit. When you go to a show with The Crombies on the bill you are pretty much guaranteed a good time.


The Operators, a ska unit out Indianapolis, Indiana, came big, loud and rowdy. I loved it and so did the crowd. The group kicked the crowd into bouts of frenzied skanking. The Operators members – Brandon Sanders, Gregg Manfredi, Drew Darby, Heath Schlatter, Brittany Brummfield, Cristian Requilme, Sarah Harwood, Dave Grove, jammed through “Better Off Alone,” “Convicted Man,” “Catfished,” “Ease Your Mind,” and “Cards On The Table.” The latter two are Mr. Kingpin songs.

They were also joined on stage by Jon E. Bravo aka Mr. Kingpin, for “Lightening In A Bottle.” The Operators hit the bullseye with this set.


Highball Holiday switched on the show with a boisterous set. Shahanna McKinney Baldon led the bad through a solid set including “Siblings,” “Speedway,” “Why?,” “Skinhead Girls,” and “Welfare.”

Highball Holiday ended the set with a booming rendition of “Ignorance,” The band showed why they’re Milwaukee ska legends. It is wonderful to see a band enjoying themselves onstage as appeared to be the case here.


See below for more photos. Thanks!

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *