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At Least There’s Fest

ALTF

A podcast profiling bands and others affiliated with Gainesville’s Fest.

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#114
Monday · 58 min
112: Brightr
It's the last day of August. That means tomorrow is September. That means next month is Fest. Get excited. In celebration of this big milestone we are kicking it up a notch: Starting this week you will THREE episodes a week until Fest! Kicking things off this week welcome in Laurie Cottingham, aka Brightr to the show. Brightr is no stranger to Fest and this will mark the fourth time he has made the trip to play Fest. We talk about being in bands when he was younger, playing around the UK, tour managing for bands, the pros and cons of being a solor artist and much more. You can and should catch Brightr at Baby Js on Saturday night at Fest 24. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#113
Thursday · 1 hr 1 min
111: Gameface
Welcome back to At Least There's Fest and thank you so much for listening. Joining the show today we have Jeff Caudill and Guy Julian from the Southern California band, Gameface. The group has been around in one form or another for over 30 years and they are gearing up for their second Fest performance this fall. In the episode we try our best to cover 3+ decades of band history and Jeff and Guy are great narrators of the story. We talk band formation, lineup changes, albums, and how bands change and grow over the years. You can catch Gameface at Heartwood on Saturday. Their newest EP "All My Friends" is out on Iodine at the end of September. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#112
August 24 · 53 min
110: Pressure Wheel
Hello Fest community and visitors alike and welcome to another episode of At Least There's Fest. Today we are joined by Jon Hernandez of Pressure Wheel. The Philadelphia based band is made up of Jon (Timeshares), Maxwell Stern (Signals Midwest), and Jeff and Dan (Restorations). It's honestly probably the most FESTIEST band that could ever be assembled. Jon talks to us about the New York Knicks, how Pressure Wheel fits into their already busy schedules, how the band formed, their first EP "Atomic Woe" and much, much more. If you listen to the whole episode we get a special guest for a couple of minutes and that provides us all with some very mild fun. Jon joined us from the recording studio where Pressure Wheel was working on new music. Exciting times. You can catch the band on Saturday at The Atlantic. Since we won't have them on the show I think we can safely say, go see Pressure Wheel instead of Lagwagon. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#111
August 20 · 44 min
109: Logan Greene
Welcome back to At Least There's Fest where we are fully dedicated to making sure everyone is fully ready and prepared for the hundreds of bands and artists playing Fest 24. Joining the show today is Logan Greene. Logan works primarily as a solo artist in Tucson, AZ, but as you'll hear in this episode, he's got his hands in all kinds of pots. In this episode we chat with Logan about where he got his start with music, being a solo artist, playing in bands, setting up shows, and how he's taking matters into his hands in the American SW. He's a joy. You can catch Logan playing at Fest 24 on Sunday at the Bull. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#110
August 17 · 58 min
108: Night Mayor
Welcome back to At Least There's Fest! Joining the show today we have Jake and Brian from Night Mayor. The Gainesville band is new on the scene, but the Brian and Jake are no strangers to Fest. In fact, Jake has played at every single Fest! They both tell us about the formation of the band, what it's like making songs in a new band with old friends, and why playing in bands is something you just have to do. The group is currently working on recording new music. You can catch them at Fest on Friday at The Atlantic. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#109
August 13 · 51 min
107: Sorry Sweetheart
Welcome back to another episode of At Least There's Fest. We are pleased to have Brian and Leslie from Sorry Sweetheart on the show today. The Colorado ska band released their debut full-length on Bad Time Records earlier this year and it is absolutely terrific. Brian and Leslie share stories about the early years of the band, how the lineup rounded out, their writing process, and what it's like being a ska band in Colorado along with why the scene there is so strong. You can catch Sorry Sweetheart on Saturday at Depot Village. It'll be quite the show. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#108
August 10 · 46 min
106: The Slow Retreat
Hey! We're 74 days away from Fest 24 and to celebrate we're hanging out with The Slow Retreat! The Iowa band rolls deep and we have a fun chat about the start of the band, what it's like being a punk band in Iowa, opening for Off With Their Heads, and how excited they are to play Fest. We also dig into their new record "Indifferent" which comes out on August 26th. They talk about influences, writing, and having a good time with your pals. You can catch The Slow Retreat on Friday at Bazar 47. Be there or be square. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#107
August 6 · 1 hr 15 min
105: Small Brown Bike
Very fun episode for your humble hosts today as Blake and Mark welcome Mike Reed to the show. Mike has spent the last couple of years focused on his newest project, 84 Tigers, but this year we all get to the enjoy the return of Small Brown Bike to Fest. The Michigan band formed 30 years ago and this fall they are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their classic album "Dead Reckoning" which they will play in full at Fest this fall and then in other parts of the country later this fall and winter. Mike talks about coming up in small town Michigan, finding punk at a young age, making mixtapes, following zines and labels to find new music, ending up on No Idea and much more from the early years of SBB. We also talk about some memorable shows (a bowling alley show with Cursive?), what happened right before Fest 2, playing Fest with SBB, 84 Tigers, and more, as well as what it's been like getting the band back together in the wake of loss. You can catch Small Brown Bike playing "Dead Reckoning" in full at Vivid on Saturday night. It will be amazing. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#106
August 3 · 56 min
104: Cold Wrecks
Hey, we did it, we made it August! If you squint, it's only two months until Fest and boy are we ready to go. Joining the show today are Mike Vizzi and Craig Shay from the NY band, Cold Wrecks. The band has been around for years now, but their new full length "You Can't Plan for This" is out on Friday! Mike and Craig talk about the beginning years for the band, how it all started with ska, their first few records, playing Fest, and we also talk plenty about the new album. You can buy the new record on Friday via Bandcamp on a Bandcamp Friday, everyone wins! Cold Wrecks is playing Friday at Heartwood. Check them out. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#104
July 30 · 1 hr 8 min
103: Middle-Out
We continue to march on this summer as we inch closer to Fest 24. Joining the show today are DJ and Dan from Middle-Out. The Detroit band made their Fest debut last fall and will be back again this October for Fest 24. These guys are characters and have no shortage of stories about being a band, Fest, and more. We talk about how the guys got together, recording as a three-piece, touring as a four-piece, and the work they've done this point. We also talk about their strong merch game, their even stronger and more prolific music video game, and what they've got cooking in terms of new music. You can see Middle-Out at Fest 24 this fall on Sunday at The Atlantic. We will be there with bells on. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#103
July 27 · 1 hr 21 min
102: Stuck Lucky
Greetings and welcome back to At Least There's Fest. On today's show we welcome Will Carter to the show. Will plays trombone and lends vocals and more (listen how) to the Nashville ska band, Stuck Lucky. The group has been around for over 20 years and is playing Fest for the FIRST time this year. If you want to hear about a band persevering and grinding to end up at Fest, this is a great episode for you. Will talks about the early years of the band, reissuing their first full-length, touring, and the groups you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it live show. You can catch Stuck Lucky on Sunday as part of the ska showcase at Heartwood. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#102
July 23 · 48 min
101: 300 USD
With the immense fanfare of our 100th episode firmly in the rearview mirror, we are pleased to welcome 300 USD to the show today. The NYC-based band is relatively new on the scene but their Fest roots run deep (listen to find out how). The band has one EP out and is hard at work on a new record as you read this. We discuss the formation of the band, their previous bands, the fun in creating music videos, and how their past work has helped them in creating a new sound and a new band dynamic. You can catch 300 USD at Fest 24 on Friday at Bazar 47. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#101
July 20 · 58 min
100: MakeWar
We did it! Welcome to episode 100 of At Least There's Fest! To mark the occasion Blake and Mark welcome Jose Prieto of MakeWar to the show. Jose was kind enough to put off watching the Knicks in the NBA Finals to chat with us and had plenty to share. We discuss the formation of MakeWar as a band out of what was a solor project and the early years of the band. From there he shares another Red Scare Industry story, their jump from Red Scare to Fat Wreck, and Jose even gives us his best impression of Fat Mike...you don't want to miss that. You can catch MakeWar on Friday at Vivid and you can see Jose solo on Sunday at Fest 24. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics** **Check out Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville, FL**
#100
July 16 · 57 min
99: Bike Tuff
Greetings and welcome back to ALTF! Joining the show for this one we have Steve and Mason from the Michigan band, Bike Tuff. Bike Tuff has been around for over a decade now and were regulars at Fest about ten years ago. However, life happened and things slowed down for the band so they could handle life. Coming out the other side the band is back with some singles recently and they will make their triumphant return to Fest 24! Steve and Mason talk about how the band got together and a bit about their earlier recordings. They also tell us about some of those early days playing shows and what it was like to first play at Fest. They share a bit about future plans for the band and who they are excited to see at Fest this fall. The set times get released tomorrow, make sure to look for Bike Tuff and circle that set, it'll be a good one. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**
#99
July 13 · 1 hr 11 min
98: Tides
Hello and welcome back to At Least There's Fest. Joining Mark and Blake today are Sean, Chris, and Beau from the Jacksonville, FL band, Tides. The band has been around for just a few years, but the band members have been friends for decades and the stars finally aligned for them to all be in a band together. We talk about their formation, their writing process, we receive all kinds of sage medical advice/tips, and the band also shares some tips they received from Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music. They also talk about their new record "How to Survive A Fall" which comes out next month on ADD records. They talk about how the album came together, the lead singles from the record, and their music video for the track "Undertow". Tides has a massive split coming out featuring six bands that have ALL appeared on this podcast: Tides, Unseemlier, Dead Bars, The Carolyn, Back Teeth, and Her Head's On Fire. The massive split has the potential to be our favorite way to release music ever invented. You can catch Tides playing shows with You Vandal and Dikembe in the near future along with a host of other dates. If all else fails, you can always catch them this year at Fest 24. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**
#98
July 9 · 1 hr 15 min
97: Debt Neglector
Greeting and welcome back to another episode of At Least There's Fest. Joining the show today are Matt Burns and Chris Pfister of the Orlando band, Debt Neglector. The band will be playing Fest for the 10th (!!!) time this fall and they released their terrific "Kinda Rips" full-length last spring. Matt and Chris share their collective musical past, the influences they pull from in the band, the importance of political punk, and how their message continues to evolves as their lives change. You can catch the band this fall at the Whatever, Dude pre-Fest shows in Orlando and Gainesville and then, obviously, again in Gainesville for Fest 24. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**
#97
July 6 · 1 hr
96: Joseph Grillo of Her Head's On Fire
Happy July! In addition to our weekly episodes on Monday we will now have episodes up every Thursday as well! That's two episodes a week until Fest to help you get ready for Fest 24. Joining the show for this episode is Joseph Grillo of Her Head's On Fire. The supergroup of sorts is back and playing Fest again this year on the heals of their new album, "Am I Not Your Girl?" which comes out on July 17 via Iodine Recordings. Mark and Blake talk to Joseph about how the group came together and where everyone has been before joining the band. Joseph does as a good a job as anyone else in summing up why community is such an important part of Fest AND our bigger scene as a whole. The band has been very active, releasing three full length records since 2022. Joseph talks about their writing/recording process as a band and how they are able to keep things moving like they do. You can catch Her Head's On Fire in the UK this summer with Back Teeth as well as at Fest 24 in just a few short months. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**
#95
June 29 · 1 hr 12 min
95: Tim Browne of Elway
Welcome back to At Least There's Fest! We've got the full Fest 24 lineup out now. We are nearing peak summer weeks and as an extra-special treat you get to hear from Tim Browne of Elway today! The Colorado band has been turning out clever punk tunes for almost 20 years and they will be playing Fest for the twelfth time this fall. Tim talks with us about their newest record, "Nobody's Going to Heaven" which is is one of the best albums to come out in 2025. Tim digs into the stories behind some of the songs as well as the history of the band and what they've got cooking. We also dig into some of the more entertaining Fest stories you will ever hear on this podcast. This was our first time ever talking with Tim and we sincerely hope it is not the last, he is thoughtful, funny, and makes terrific music. You can catch Elway at Fest 24 this fall and on tour starting in a few days with Tired Radio. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**
#94
June 22 · 1 hr 30 min
94: Trevor Reilly of A Wilhelm Scream
Welcome back to At Least There's Fest! Great show today with Trevor Reilly from A Wilhelm Scream. Hailing proudly from New Bedford, MA, the group has been crafting their blend, of punk, metal, thrash, and everything else for over 25 years at this point. Somehow, they just continue to raise the bar. Trevor talks to us about the formation of the band, the friendships that keep things churning along, recording new music, and memories from the road. We also spend a very healthy amount of time talking about Fest as Trevor recalls getting passed on in the early years of the band, before finally breaking through and getting the call for Fest 7. He tells us all about that first show and some of his favorite Fest memories from the last 20 years. Trevor talks about the new AWS album, "Cheap Heat" and tells us why this cannot possibly be the last A Wilhelm Scream record (yay!). You can check the band out in Europe this summer and of course you'll see them at Fest 24 this fall. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**
#93
June 15 · 56 min
93: Kevin Athas of Oh The Humanity!
Fun episode today as we Blake and Mark are joined by Kevin Athas of Oh The Humanity! The band has been around for over a decade now and they have been mixing metal riffs with punk choruses with the great precision the entire time. We talk to Kevin about the early years of the band, the highs and lows of touring, recording their first albums, and how one GREAT show can sustain you for months. Kevin also talks about working with Trevor Reilly from A Wilhelm Scream, some of his favorite Fest memories (VERY fun), and what the band is now working on (hint, it's NEW music). You can catch Oh The Humanity! on tour later this month as well as at Fest 24 this fall. Get there early, it will fill up with MA folks. **Itsa Coookie on Instagram** **Theme song "The Walk to Heartwood" by Jukebox Romantics**

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