At Least There’s Fest

1.10: Five Hundred Bucks

Hello and welcome back to "At Least There's Fest" thank you for continuing to listen. Please like, save, share and all that jazz if you have the time. They say these things matter. 
Joining the pod today are Jeff Riddle, Justin Goldman, and Steven Johnson from Five Hundred Bucks. This band is amazing. Please check them out. Please go see them play at The Wooly (but save room for me). 
The guys discuss how the band formed, making horror movies, their past bands, how living far apart is no big deal at all, and about Fests from way back in the old days. These guys have seen a lot.
Their most recent album Pest Sounds is a great listen and the band will hit the road with Signals Midwest in October before Fest. Respect their grind in all the ways that you can afford.

1.9: Adam Davis of Omnigone

Welcome back! In this episode Blake talks to Adam Davis from Omnigone and formerly of Link 80. 
Join them as they talk about "In Defense of Ska" coming to a close, completing college in your 40s, balancing music life and kids, and his work with both Link 80 and Omnigone.
Omnigone is playing two sets at Fest this year and is currently bursting at the scene with new music. Adam is a super-nice guy and was a pleasure to talk to. His journey through the 90s Bay Area punk scene to 2025 is joy to hear about. 

1.8: Middle-Aged Queers

Hello and welcome back to "At Least There's Fest"! 
Today's guests are NOT playing Fest 23 but they've played multiple Fests and hopefully have more in their future, but we could not pass up the chance to talk with Middle-Aged Queers. We are joined by Shaun, Fureigh, and Josh from the band and they discuss influences, purpose, and fun.
We discuss the creative process and how being silly allows you to really get some important messages across when you need to. They really are the nicest people, it was a pleasure to talk with them. 
Of particular interest to me was diving into their songs. Once song in particular, "Big Sisters" is highlighted. If you are interested in reading up a bit more on "The Blood Sisters", here is a link.
The band has several dates this August including the Sell The Heart 15 year anniversary show. Check out the bands socials for more info on dates. 

1.7: Beau Crum of Tides

Hello and welcome back to "At Least There's Fest"! We are officially only 99 days from Fest 23 and these band profiles are just going to keep coming and coming. Thanks for following along and supporting these bands.
Stopping by the podcast today is Beau Crum of the Jacksonville band, Tides. Tides has a split and single out with new music on the way. They are playing Saturday night of Fest at Vecinos so be sure to check that out. 
More immediately they are playing Jacksonville on July 19 and will then do four dates in Florida this September with The Raging Nathans. Those will all be great shows.

1.6: Andy Pohl of Sell The Heart Records

Welcome back to "At Least There's Fest" a podcast dedicated to profiling and celebrating the bands that make up the best weekend of the year, Fest weekend. 
Our guest today is Andy Pohl, founder of Sell The Heart Records. Andy talks about the formation of the label, being in bands himself (including Fest band Tsunami Bomb), the ups and downs of running a label, and why Fest is so important.
Sell The Heart is the real deal in supporting bands and their vision and celebrating their work. They have multiple bands at Fest each year and Fest 23 is no different.  
The label is celebrating their 15th anniversary (!!) with a two day event in the Bay area on August 1st and 2nd. Check out the pod for more on that or visit the Sell The Heart socials for more details.
Please follow us on Instagram and save the pod wherever you find your podcasts for the most up to date episodes and news. Thanks for your support and see you in Gainesville.

1.5: Steven Gray and Randy Reddell of Dikembe

Welcome back to At Least There's Fest! Our guests for this episode are Steven and Randy from Florida punk legends, Dikembe. Dikembe has been in the Florida/Fest scenes for nearly 15 years and have new music coming out prior to Fest 23.
Both Steven and Randy have been going to Fest since it was in single digits and some of the stories they have to tell, you will not want to miss. It is always so interesting to hear how Fest has changed and improved as the years go by.
Dikembe hits the road on July 17 with Kerosene Heights and Swiss Army Wife (both Fest bands!) for a two week run. Catch them if they are in your neighborhood!
July 17: Atlanta
July 18: Nashville
July 19: Newport, KY
July 20: Chicago
July 22: Detroit
July 23: Pittsburgh
July 24: Massapequa
July 25: Philadelphia
July 26: DC
July 27: Durham
 

1.4: Anna Troxell of Mugger

Joing the pod today is Anna Troxell from the Austin, TX hardcore band, Mugger. Mugger has an EP and an LP out on Quiet Panic and is currently working on new music.
Anna grew up in the Philadelphia hardcore scene and is also in the band Creepoid who recently had some of their classic shoegaze albums repressed.
We discuss growing up in the Philly hardcore scene (before the internet!), moving to Austin, being married to a bandmate, and how you are never too old to pick up new things. 
Mugger is playing Saturday of Fest at Vivid and it is a show you do not want to miss!
 
Mugger Bandcamp
Creepoid Bandcamp
Quiet Panic 

1.3: Christine Atturio and Mike Assatly of Little Low and Unseemlier

This is, as you'll hear, a big show for me. Christine Atturio (Little Low) and Mike Assatly (Unseemlier and Little Low) drop by to do the pod and talk about their new albums, both out on Sell The Heart Records.
 
Christine and Mike are MA scene veterans and have both played Fest in previous bands. However, they talk here about Little Low and Unseemlier, who just put out my two favorite albums of 2025. They talk about how music helps them put their introspective natures to work, growing up in MA, drinking too much, and seeing Bane way back when.
Mike and I also share a brain in how we prepare for things. Hang on until the end when he hauls out his homemade doc of Fest bands he plans on seeing each day. 
Swing by the Sell The Heart Records shop and just order both of these records, you will not be disappointed. You can also find their Bandcamp sites here and here.
"Dark Beer Archives" Music Video

1.2: Casey Crawford of Virginity

Florida's Virginity has been a Fest staple since 2019. Their energetic live show and heart-on-sleeve lyrics are always a hit. Their new EP "Fidelity Castro" is out now and they MIGHT have some new stuff in the mix (hints in this episode). 
 
Joining the pod today is singer and guitarist, Casey Crawford. Casey got his start at Fest doing stand-up comedy before getting back into music. We talk about the therapy Fest provides and how music and live music in particular help provide the community we all value so much.

1.1: Jon Lewis of The Dopamines

Thank you for joining us for the FIRST episode of "At Least There's Fest"! '
Joining the pod on this journey is Jon Lewis of FEST INSTITUTION, The Dopamines. Jon talks about his first Fest (Fest 7) and why their first ever set lasted only 3-4 songs. 
Do the right thing and buy some Dopamines merch from Rad Girlfriend, Anxious and Angry, or Bandcamp. They promise to spend all the money on booze.