How did rainfest get started and what made you want to start a fest in the northwest?
Rainfest started after Champion's last show weekend in 2005. They had Friday through Sunday booked with local and out of town bands. Zack, Matt and our friend Steve put together the first year of rainfest in 2006 as a way to keep the energy and good vibes going. I stepped up for 2007 and Steve stepped down. Matt, Zack and I have booked the last 4 years together.
Did you think the fest would be as popular as it has become?
No way! Booking a fest is a serious Waynes World 2 Scenario... "if you book them, they will come". This year's fest is the first to ever sell out in advance. Every other year has been held together by a hope and a prayer and we never get a chance to relax til the first band starts playing. It's amazing to see how many out of town kids keep coming back. Nice to know we have created a weekend that people look forward to every year (without even announcing our lineup).
Rainfest normally happens at the viaduct. What happened to the venue?
The first year actually preceded the viaduct and was split between 2 venues. When the viaduct opened, we felt obligated to have the fest there. It was one of the few big shows a year that could sell out the building and put them ahead on their rent. Viaduct was entirely volunteer run and non profit. Unfortunately the upkeep and demands, both time and money proved to much. After 3 years of all ages shows, the last show was July 31st 2010 w/ Shook Ones, Make Do And Mend, Hostage Calm and alot of great local bands that supported the venue from day one.
This years fest is at a new venue called Nuemos and it sold out in just a few days. Were you surprised/excited about that result?
This is our first year @ Neumo's in Seattle. And our first year at a venue not completely volunteer run. We are hoping the transition is seemless, that the venue and patrons respect each other and that the presence of paid security doesn't hinder people's experience. Neumo's hosted the 2005 Trial reunion that can be seen on their DVD. We love the room, we love the live sound and love the staff. We couldn't be more excited.
Putting an established fest in the heart of Seattle had a serious impact on it's draw and exposure. To the outside world we are no longer the fest from "somewhere in Tacoma." We are now an established fest with a great reputation and we only see this continuing. We do not want to get much bigger than we are now. We are already thinking ahead to next year and hope to keep it at the same venue and same capacity.
Whose performances are you most excited for this year?
This is the first year alot of my booking Influence has really shown through. 7 Seconds, Supertouch, Weekend Nachos, Knife Fight, Figure Four, Wisdom In Chains! Alot of these started off as longshots and it brings me great joy for these to have worked out. Something that will always draw me to hardcore is how many friends and amazing people are involved. To get this many diverse people into a room is a testament in itself. Nails, Devotion, Sabertooth Zombie... great bands that will have wild sets. Also... all of the local nw bands playing this years fest get my seal of approval. NWHC is bringin it.
One thing I was most excited about is the panic records showcase on the first day. How did that come about?
This was Matt's project from the get go and one of the first components we were able to confirm early on. It's great to see Trial playing another show. The band has stressed very sternly that this is not a reunion, as a reunion would entail Brian Redman, their late bassist playing. Brian was a great friend to many involved in the hardcore scene, local and abroad, and especially to the members of Trial. He is missed every day. Their set is simply a Trial show.
Panic records has been a prolific testament to the diversity of hardcore punk in the last 6 years. Timm has a great roster and we are glad to have many of those bands playing this showcase.
The northwest seems to be a hotbed for punk and hardcore as of recent. Are you trying to make more people pay attention to the NW scene with this festival?
Touring bands playing in the nw are making a serious commitment. Coming from the South you have 9 hours of mountains to navigate. Coming from the east you have a long arduous journey through fledgling music scenes and desolate wastelands. Alot of tours simply skip the nw. To me this has very little to do with putting a spotlight on the scene. It's more about making it relevant for a lot of great bands to make it up to a fairly isolated part of this country. Between Portland, Seattle, Spokane and Vancouver, BC there are big things happening. We pretty much sustain ourselves.
What are some of your favorite bands in the northwest today?
Walls, Big Crux, Black Breath and White Wards are making some of my favorite noise. Olympia is blowing up, Son Skull, HPP, Outlook, Dehumanized. It is sad that this years rainfest will be Sixes last show. Wreck, Power, Oblivion are bands to watch in 2011.
Anything else you would like to add?
check out the bands at http://www.oursound.net and follow this blog http://southendstyle.blogspot.com
