Jesterfest Brings Home DIY Punk Ethos
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Jeff Berry of the band Soulsick organized the event
Anyone familiar with punk rock music over the past 30 years knows that Henry Rollins is not only a talented musician but an equally brilliant philosopher and social commentator. The current corporate-run music industry lavishly rewards a small portion of aspiring musicians, perhaps one percent, while leaving the rest by the wayside. Those familiar with the "Occupy" movement may find these statistics quite recognizable. A backlash has developed of bands that eschew the system, distribute their music on CDR's and the internet, and play basement shows. Rollins describes this as the "Resurgence of the DIY punk ethos." Rollins' presentation can be seen here.
But this isn't a story about Henry Rollins. This is about the DIY punk ethos coming home to Canandaigua, a small city in upstate New York's Finger Lakes region. It was Saturday May 28, 2011 and its name was Jesterfest.
Max VanOrman of Beyond Soloman and Saturn's yellow guitar shines like the sun as it rocks the canyons of the finger lakes. It will forever be an icon of this show.
Small town America and music this is what it's all about. You couldn't ask for a better show than this outdoor event. People walking down the street and walking their dogs came over to see what was going on. They ended up dancing, moshing, singing along and generally having a great time. The event took place at the municipal park on the corner of Main and Coach streets. It featured bands from many different genres of punk influence, pop, hardcore, reggae, ska, folk and metal. All of the bands were from the Canandaigua area. Since it was a free outdoor show and people came and went, it was impossible to tell just how many attended but the organizers believe it was between 150 and 200.
Father fills in on guitar in his older son's band while younger son watches. Radiance brought this show across multiple generational lines.
The show was organized by 18 year old Jeff Berry, a recent graduate of Canandaigua Academy. Jeff is the drummer in the local band Soulsick along with his brother Matt, who plays guitar and bass, guitarist Tyler Coats and vocalist Matt Hurlburt. Soulsick was formed in 2009 when its members attended high school together. "Our band is together every Friday and Saturday it is the best time of our life" says Jeff Berry. It shows in their music. This former high school band has graduated with honors. The name Jesterfest comes from one of Soulsick's songs about a jester. They had recently acquired new sound equipment and wanted to do a show. When the indoor venue they had planned to hold it in declined to host the show, they decided to rent the city park and have it outdoors. That turned out to be a lucky break. "It was the best day of my life. It was the best feeling we brought this many people together through music they were all having such a good time," says Jeff Berry.
Matt Askins of Beyond Solomon and Saturn plays to a crowd of about 150
Although he didn't start this to initiate a social movement or start a new tradition, Berry believes that music can bring about change. "People forget how powerful a tool music can be in terms of your own mental health and happiness. They think it's all about getting drunk and high and getting laid." Soulsick is a member of a growing movement known as "Straightedge" who swear off alcohol drugs and promiscuous sex. At a recent show several members of the band walked out of a venue after finishing their performance because people in the audience were getting drunk and disorderly. "Non-alcohol venues are definitely preferable. I don't believe in the connection between music and drugs." The DIY punk ethos shows in Berry's feelings about the business of music as well. "Big business is all about money and selfishness." "It's important not to be too big, have too big of an ego. We'll die before we become big sold out rock stars. It is important to maintain perspective, to keep it real."
Even pets loved Jesterfest
If you missed last year's event, this year will feature Jesterfest II at the same location, Saturday May 26. 2012. Soulsick will be headlining and many of the bands from last year will be returning including Tyranitar, Radiance and Canandaigua's metal powerhouse Beyond Solomon and Saturn. There will be some new acts as well starting with newcomers Badon Hill. Jeff Berry Says "One of my goals is to help out smaller bands and get them on their feet, get them out there. I want to get those smaller bands on there. But I also want to get the bigger bands with larger followings., to even further branch out the genres." It sounds like Jeff is well on his way to accomplishing this as well. Don't miss Jesterfest II on May 26. It will leave you feeling like another Soulsick song - Happy Child.
Soulsick - Happy Child at Jesterfest 2011
