Every year on June 21st there is a music festival called "Make Music New York," where musicians come out of every nook and cranny and play in every venue, every park, on every street corner, all day long, in all 5 boroughs. For the last 3 years there has been a special celebration on Make Music New York day called "Punk Island" where the punks over run Governor's Island for a special all day event. This year there were 130+ bands on 18 stages and we got to be a part of it.
It started with an email I got saying that Punk Island was booked this year because all of the electricity was taken- BUT there was plenty of physical room if anyone wanted to bring a generator, set-up a back-line and build a stage, they were more than welcome to do so. I thought, "You know what? I can do that." Judith (from D60) and I were on the phone- D60 was playing a house party in Philly that I was trying to get to and she was giving me directions.
Me: "You know- I was thinking of building a stage and playing Punk Island- have you heard of it?"
Judith: "The guy who organizes it booked this show! He's gonna be at the party!"
Me: "Oh that's too funny."
And with that, the RENEGADE stage was born.
That was how it all began. Jack, Dolan, Brett and Shane (also from D60, Dog That Bites Everyone and C Squat fame,) did an AMAZING job of organizing just about everything. I helped a little, (I did drive up state to borrow a PA, brought up my drum kit and bass amp, and rented the generator,) but it was these guys who really made it happen.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day. A little too hot maybe, but with the breeze coming off the water and the shade from the trees, we made out just fine. Situated at "Picnic Point," on the southwest tip of the island, we had an unobstructed view of both Manhattan and Lady Liberty. AND the air show that happened later that afternoon! I wasn't watching (I was completely distracted by something else,) but Kevin saw a helicopter do a flip, I'm not even kidding. It was pretty awesome.
Now, despite all the preparations, I have to apologize because I'm pretty sure if you didn't have my phone number on you you would have no way of knowing where or how to find us. We were on the absolute opposite end of the island from all the main festivities (a fact which completely bummed me out because I missed out on a TON of good bands, including my favorite- Trauma Team 666,) and there were no maps, no guides, and no directions to anything. So for the people who did manage to track us down, congratulations! And to those who tried- I commend and thank you for your efforts.
We had a pretty amazing time though. I can't tell you how surreal it was watching hundreds of done up, and I do mean DONE UP, dirty punk rockers come off the ferry carrying drums and guitars, 1 foot tall pink, yellow and blue mohawks, studded leather, chains, boots, plaid, piercings and face tattoos, mixed in with families of 4 breaking off the crowd and scattering as soon as possible. Totally surreal. This is why I don't call myself punk- THAT is punk.
There were so many good bands and so much good music, it was impossible to hear it all. Our first band was Jesus Knevil, followed by Team Spider, The Alienz, Dog That Bites Everyone, Wombat in Combat, D60 and then us. The Alienz are pretty awesome. A very Andrea band if you know what I mean. And D60 you KNOW are one of my favorites! Dog That Bites Everyone are such a great band, everyone was mesmerized and just sort-of gravitated to our stage to watch them. Awesome stuff. Jesus Knevil, Wombat in Combat and Team Spider were great too- I just didn't really get to hear a lot of their sets because I had to practice. Since the CD release party last weekend I haven't had much time to do anything really, including, you know, play my guitar.
Despite the 90+ SPF sun screen by the end of the day my back and all the other spots I had missed when I tried to cake the stuff on that morning were bright red, burning and starting to show. Never a good sign. We went on last and right before our set the clouds closed in. Perfect! It cooled off and the wind picked up- I have never felt more like I was in a music video than during that set. It was beautiful, the clouds, the breeze, the statute, the people- everyone stopped to listen and came over to dance, everything was just perfect and I thank you all for being a part of it with us!
Immediately after our set we had to break down. Nobody told us we had to have our cars escorted back to the ferry, the last of which left at 5:30 and it was 5:00. I have never seen so many people work so seamlessly together- car packed, van packed, escorts obtained, we were in line back at the ferry and ready to go! An hour or so later we actually made it ON the boat and were able to leave, but watching the procession of everyone getting back on the ferry was pretty great too. I saw Paul and Amy from Trauma Team, and watch Kevin and John get on the boat (there wasn't any room for them in car because of the gear so they had to walk.)
All in all we had a pretty awesome time and hope you did too. You guys are the best and we love you all! Stay tuned for Philadelphia in two weeks, then Connecticut, then Brooklyn!
Set List:
-Without You
-Same to You
-Bad Reputation (Joan Jett)
-Consider Me Gone
-Goodbye
-Get Ready (The Temptations)
-Stuck In My Head
-Aloof
-Dance With Me
-I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
