Riot Fest 2011 Preview Featuring – X – Social Distortion – Danzig Legacy – plus more – Chicago, IL – Oct 5-9, 2011

The Midwest's biggest and baddest music festival is once again back for another weekend of punk mayhem and is set to take place in none other than the windy city of Chicago! Spread out across a number of venues within the city, Riot Fest is expected to draw thousands of Punk rockers from all over the globe in town for a party that boasts a variety of bands from Punk's classic era to new school and more.Headlining the first three nights are three of America's most successful bands to have emerged from the late 70's and early 80's Punk scenes. Wednesday night will find X playing their classic "Los Angeles" album in its entirety with a special screening of X: The Unheard Music just before their set. Thursday night will be headlined by Orange County's very own Social Distortion while Friday night will belong to Glenn Danzig who will unleash a set of Misfits, Samhain and solo era material down on fans.

X hails from our home base of Los Angeles and are considered living legends as they continue to tour some 34 years after forming. Led by vocalist Exene Cervenka, the band quickly made a name for themselves as their 50's rock and roll influenced brand of Punk tore down any assumptions that women were non suited for the stage. Guitarist Billy Zoom, Bassist John Doe and drummer DJ Bonebrake have also influenced plenty of musicians over the years with their unique style of playing. Their ground breaking album "Los Angeles" will be played in its entirety for the first time in Chicago making it a very special show not to be missed.

Social Distortion are among the most popular rock bands to emerge from both Orange County and the early US Punk scene. Having formed in 1978, the band has survived 3 plus decades of making music that have remained staples in both California and national punk play lists. Mike Ness beings the bands songwriter and front man has seven Social D albums under his belt and a number of hits that are likely to be played at Riot Fest making their set a full time sing a long. The bands newest release via Epitaph records entitled Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes came out earlier this year and opened with a number 4 spot on the billboard 200 chart making it Social D's highest charting release in their career, the band is currently on tour in support of that record.

The only man in music to front 3 hugely inspiring bands on their own accord is Glenn Danzig and come Riot Fest he will perform a number of songs from 3 eras of his lengthy career. The only era of the Misfits that matter is the classic lineup that existed from 1977 to 1983 where Glenn fronted the punk turned hardcore act before disbanding to start the equally powerful Samhain. The latter existed for a few years before Glenn's career would forever change as he shifted from lead vocalist of Samhain to a solo entity known simply as Danzig. All 3 of his bands have earned him his rightful spot in punk and metal history and with the 3 bands songs coming to life all over again in one legendary night, the Danzig Legacy set is sure to blow minds and excite fans of all ages who never experienced The Misfits or Samhain 25 plus years ago. With guest's musicians Doyle of The Misfits and London May of Samhain fame, the Legacy set is sure to make Riot Fest the only place a punk would want to be October 7th.

New York's straight edge heroes Youth of Today are also slated to appear as support while All featuring 3 of the bands separate vocalists will play both Thursday and Friday nights.

If you thought that was good Saturday and Sunday are going to leave you spinning deciding who to see. Having made their rounds in Vegas' annual Punk Rock Bowling and FYF in LA, Milo will also go to riot fest this year. The Decendents will also be performing at The Congress Theatre with Suicide Machines, Leftöver Crack, Strike Anywhere, The Flatliners, Flatfoot 56, The Menzingers and Shot Baker and more on Saturday show starts at 2:30PM so get there early and be prepared to rock out.

If that doesn't suit your tastes you can mosey on down the street to catch locals The Last Vegas, Black Actress, The Van Buren Boys, as they will be spotlighting at the Double Door. You can also check out London Legends The Business playing alongside The Crombies at Cobra Lounge. Sunday Weezer will grace the congress theatres stage while 7 seconds rocks the bottom lounge, closing out the festival on a high note. With Saturday and Sunday packed with such killer line-ups, it will undoubtedly be a tough call for all attending to decide whom to watch.

For More information and updates on all the happenings check out http://riotfest.org  - See you in Chi Town!

Featuring:
Weezer, Social Distortion, Danzig Legacy, Descendents, X (playing Los Angeles in full), Youth of Today, Suicide Machines, ALL (Scott, Chad and Dave), Helmet, 7 Seconds, Down By Law, The Business, Strike Anywhere, The Tossers, Macabre, Nachtmystium, Leftover Crack, The Flatliners, Flatfoot 56, The Menzingers, Banner Pilot, The Pavers, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Shot Baker, The Copyrights, Cheap Girls, Larry and His Flask, Dusty Grooves, Chinese Telephones, The Crombies, The Holy Mess, Neutron Bombs, The Infected, plus more

Congress Theater, Bottom Lounge, Double Door, Cobra Lounge, AAA Warehouse and more


 

-Desire G.-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

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