Show Preview: Gnarmageddon Fest II Featuring Negative Approach – Stalag 13 – Magrudergrind – Coke Bust – Knife Fight – Media Blitz – and Many More – at The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA – June 23, 2012

Last year, Jason Schwartz of Media Blitz and Danny Lyerla of Blind Nuns and EarthAD Productions teamed up to produce an idea so innovative, immense, and DIY, that the name of the project could only embody the epic nature of the duo's idea. GNARMAGEDDON FEST, which evolved out of the duo's passion for Punk and hardcore, aims to bring together two distinct scenes that otherwise maintain a noticeable separation.

Like last year's plan, Gnarmageddon Fest II will provide two events, each in northern California and southern California respectively. The two shows will be taking place Fri June 22 at 924 Gilman in Berkeley, and Sat June 23 at The Observatory(formerly The Galaxy Theatre) in Santa Ana. Big name performers this year include Negative Approach, Stalag 13, Magrudergrind, and Coke Bust.

The origins of Gnarmageddon Fest derived out of the experiences Lyerla and Schwartz possessed both in the logistics and their affiliation within the Punk/hardcore scene. Schwartz, who had taken business classes in college, decided he wanted to incorporate his knowledge within the music scene. Meanwhile, Lyerla already had 3 years' experience enabling shows and events. Once the two began to collaborate and discuss the state of the music scene, the makings of Gnarmageddon Fest slowly but surely began to form, ultimately becoming a successful reality that is already becoming an annual celebration.
 

The first Gnarmageddon embodied everything that Lyerla and Schwartz hoped to provide from the worlds of Punk and hardcore. Among the bigger known names, last year's SoCal lineup consisted of Agent Orange, D.O.A., JFA, Sabertooth Zombie, Ill Repute, Resist and Exist, Rotting Out, and Monster Squad. The fest also incorporated local SoCal bands that have been significant and consistent in the scene, among these, bands consisted of Media Blitz, Hooded Justice, and Concussion.

Perhaps the most anticipated performance expected at this year's fest is undoubtedly legendary Nardcore band, Stalag 13. Stalag 13 was both influential and important in the overall formation of the Nardcore scene in Oxnard, and they are often paralleled with other bands such as Agression, Ill Repute, Dr. Know, and RKL. The band is reuniting to perform at both the SoCal and NorCal events of Gnarmageddon Fest II. *** STALAG 13 is not to be missed!

Michigan natives Negative Approach are another band that have garnered attention in their upcoming performance at Gnarmageddon Fest II and for good reason. The hardcore Punk band released a self-titled 7" EP in 1982, and since then, Negative Approach is regarded as being a pioneer band in the hardcore scene. True to the band's name, Negative Approach's music has been credited as being nihilistic, aggressive, and cacophonous. Prepare for this raw manifestation live at Gnarmageddon Fest II!

Tickets for Gnarmageddon Fest II at The Observatory are now available via web and local record stores. If you don't have access to the internet, tickets are available at: TKO Records in Fountain Valley, Mass Media Records in Santa Ana, Burger Records in Fullerton, Dr. Strange Records in Rancho Cucamonga, and Headline Records in Hollywood. Both events for Gnarmageddon Fest II are all ages.

Gnarmageddon Fest II at The Observatory:
Negative Approach (exclusive West Coast show)
Stalag 13
Magrudergrind (exclusive West Coast show)
Coke Bust (exclusive West Coast show)
Knife Fight
Dangers
Soul Search
ACxDC
In Defence
Media Blitz
Hordes
Trench Rot
Chest Pain (TX)
Aukerman

Gnarmageddon Fest II at 924 Gilman St:
Stalag 13
Magrudergrind
Coke bust
Media blitz
Stagger and fall
Stressors
...More to be announced!


-Stephanie M.-
Senior Staff Reporter

 

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