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If I was to curate my own Riot Fest, and have unmatched magical powers (short of the ability to raise the dead), these are the bands I would get back together for the occasion along with some recent bands.
Every year, Riot Fest brings to Chicago up-and-coming punk bands, as well as re-uniting defunct bands or particular lineups. The results have been mixed. Yes, they have brought us Stiff Little Fingers, but also the Jello Biafra-less Dead Kennedys and Shane West-led Germs. But, admittedly, it is difficult to do much better.
The Misfits
I mean, are you kidding me? Would there ever be a bigger coup than this? The most obvious members and largest hurdles would be getting founders Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only in the same room together. However, Jerry’s brother, Doyle, himself a former Misfits member, has toured with Danzig performing Misfits songs. Robo is the only other Danzig-era member that has also played with the Jerry Only-led group so he can just stay on drums. And, as if that weren’t enough, I would get guitarist Bobby Steele to join them marking the only time that the 12 Hits From Hell “line-up” (minus drummer Arthur Googy) ever performed live. Sorry, Franché Coma and Mr. Jim, but I don’t see you as very valuable cogs.
Hüsker Dü
While it would be very easy to just fill this list up with former SST records bands, I decided to poach the Minny chaps first. One of the most appealing reasons is that there shouldn’t be any squabbling over any off-limits material as the Dü only existed with the same three members.
Minor Threat
How do I have a punk “murderer’s row” without including Ian MacKaye? Some would say very easily but I can’t see not including Minor Threat. While maybe the “straight edge” movement is not the coolest thing, there is no denying their influence and that they were the early foundation and standard of Dischord Records. Thirty years later, their legend continues to grow.
Generation X
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Billy Idol haters leave your issues at the door. Gen X had the pedigree and the tunes.
Rapeman
Why this Steve Albini-fronted band, you might ask? Several reasons: A) All three members cut their teeth in other groups (Albini in Shellac and Big Black, David Sims in Scratch Acid and The Jesus Lizard, Rey Washam in Scratch Acid and Ministry), B) Two Nuns And A Pack Mule is my favorite album by any Albini band, and C) this would be the most unlikely reunion because of their brief time together and only five people got to see them in their first go ‘round.
Naked Raygun
Yes, I realize that they play Riot Fest a lot, but not with the Throb Throb lineup. John Haggerty’s buzzsaw guitar sound and style were just as integral to building the legacy of Raygun as Jeff Pezzati’s vocals.
Fucked Up
The best and brightest current hardcore band. Despite the name and vocals, they definitely have a pop savvy.
Be Your Own Pet
This once promising band broke up two years ago on the heels of their stellar sophomore effort Get Awkward. Singer Jemina Pearl and drummer John Eatherly still collaborate so this would not seem to be much of a challenge. It would still be a treat to see such a young band that imploded before really scratching the surface of their potential.
River City Tanlines
The death of Jay Reatard left a huge void in the landscape of modern day punk rock. But one of the lasting connections to his legacy is former Lost Sounds cohort Alicja Trout. She has made quite a name for herself in recent years with her brand of lo-fi Runaways-like riffing in her solo career as well as with the River City Tanlines.
Mean Jeans
Also quite reminiscient of the Reatards with a Joey Ramone croon, Mean Jeans doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel. But along with the Marked Men, Dirtnap Records has built a largely enjoyable, if not original, roster.
