The Chicagoland music festival celebrating the women, femmes, and thems of the Chicago punk scene and beyond was a raging success this year. Complete with music, stand-up comedy, drag and tattooing, H.O.O.F. (Hands Off Our Fest) took place on October 19th at Blue Island Beer Co. and we are already excited to see what they have in store for next year.
Thank you to my fellow Dying Scene contributor Brian Nielsen for collaborating with me for more awesome photos, check them all out in case you missed this year!
First on deck we have Sparkling Urbana, an alternative trans and queer rock band from Chicago. You can check out our interview with them about H.O.O.F. here! Side note: it is a total experience to get a tattoo while a punk band is playing right in front of you. Teddi Garson did a fantastic job providing on-site flash tattoos, donating part of their proceeds to Youth Outlook, a local charity supporting local LGBTQ+ youth.
Carnivore Mommy followed Sparkling Urbana, complete with some horror-esque clown attire. This WAS a costume contest, but I have a feeling this was not too far off from their normal performance attire (it was fantastically well done!) I was blown away by the feral energy vocalist Lauren Memery brought to the stage.
“Cow town” punk rockers Peach Vomit had an incredibly fun scream-filled set with vocalist Mama Vomit decked out as Spongebob SquarePants.
To round out the first set of bands playing, pop punk band Second City Seance played afterwards before the stand-up comedy and drag performances by Queeny, Dr. Caligirlie, Dolce Vita and Ichabod Vicious.
The second half of H.O.O.F. was equally incredible. Grindcore trio The Cell Phones quickly made an impression with Lindsey’s scowls through the crowd.
Just when you thought it could not get any better, glam punk duo from Bowling Green, Kentucky The Daddy Sisters had an enthusiastic and fun performance. Think 60’s garage rock meets 70’s glam rock with a dash of lipstick and ripped fishnet stockings. Chick Falcon owns the stage, well-deservedly.
We also interviewed the second round of bands about H.O.O.F. that you can read about here!
Chicago’s Boybrain, self-described as “a snarling pissed off baby reminiscent of 1980s Punk with a touch of woven in melody,” stayed true to just that with the raspy angsty snarls of Patti on vox/guitar.
Dying Scene’s Brian Nielsen did a special in-depth interview with Boybrain about their single “Ratmouth” and H.O.O.F.!
Last to take the stage for the bands was Sweetie who never seemed to run out of energy and always puts on a great show.
Birdy V. of Sweetie is the mastermind behind H.O.O.F., and just by the turnout and sheer joy the crowd had, you could tell this was a much-needed music festival the Chicago punk scene needed. Her sheer dedication is appreciated by all the women, femmes and thems of the scene and I can think of no one better to be running such a festival! Dying Scene is ready for H.O.O.F. 2025!
Check out more photos from H.O.O.F. below and give them a follow!