The Rest of the Fests

Stereokiller.com presents a both factual and commentary based guide to some of the prominent music festivals that remain in the second half of 2012.

The year 2012 has already passed its mid-point and continues speeding towards its inevitable end. With each year of my life that passes, this pace seems to increase exponentially along with the ever-growing number of music festivals that crop up. The underground music community that we exist in has its annual ritual of shit-talking and clamoring for rumors on the now seemingly limitless number of musical events. In previous months, we have witnessed some truly memorable events but it would seem that music deities intend to bestow some of their greatest gifts to us in the latter half of 2012. With this article I intend to dissect some of the years remaining festivals and present them to you in a commentary that is easily digestible and hopefully informative.

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Dates: 06/30 - 08/05 details | More info: click here

Featuring: Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, Anthrax + more

First on the docket is the push-pit rager, Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. or as I refer to it, "Ozzfest 2.0". That isn't to say that I mean it as a knock against this beverage manufacturers' event, but more as recognition for a group that decided to continue carrying the torch of a storied metal festival franchise long deserted. That is of course the torch abandoned by Sharon Osbourne, who several years ago finally decided to stop parading her mostly-dead husband across the stage every summer, ultimately bringing an end to the 10 year plus run of the Ozzfest. This heavy metal void was almost instantly filled by the Mayhem Festival, which has been dragging a cloud of cheap weed smoke and poor hygiene from coast to coast since 2008. In all sincerity, I personally can't deal with being outside in the summer heat listening to abridged sets from 3 or 4 bands I enjoy peppered in the midst of a dozens of bands that I can't stand. This year's lineup features Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead and Anthrax, among many others. These four bands alone are enough to make even the casual metal fan take notice, however it is the rest of the lineup that really sends the whole thing into a downward spiral. There just isn't enough there to keep me interested and this just isn't a tour that I personally would even consider to attend. With that being said. I am sure that every date of this tour will be a sellout, making my opinion obviously of the minority. Take a look at the lineup and judge for yourself.

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Dates: 06/16 - 08/05 details | More info: click here

Featuring: Taking Back Sunday, The Used, All Time Low, New Found Glory + more

Did you ever have a great friend when you were a kid that you unintentionally drifted away from as the years passed? You will always share the wonderful memories you made together when you were both young, but as more and more time slips by you grow further and further apart leaving you with absolutely nothing in common. One day you wake and realize that after all this time, you no longer share even a shred of common ground. That is how I feel about the Warped Tour. At nearly two-decades old, it is an annual summer tour celebrating what's hip in underground music, extreme sports and the capitalistic exploitation of a now bastardized youth movement. This is America and everything is a business. I get that and I don't blame anyone for trying to make a buck. What I do take exception to is the homogenization of punk rock that has been nurtured by this fest since day one. This was something that sailed over my head as a young and naïve teenager, but now as a jaded adult. I'd like to think that I know better. I don't want to over-dramatize my stance on this tour, but I can't and won't support it. Mostly du



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