My second night of
Phuzz Phest, in Winston-Salem, was limited to all North Carolina acts. Despite big indie names like Brooklyn's Chairlift, London's Yuck, and Austin's White Denim, I was happy to stay right here at home, as it were. If ya ask me, the talent level is so deep in this state, those national and international hotbeds have a little competition on their hands.
As with Night 1, Night 2 kicked off at Bailey Park, with the great Boone band,
Naked Gods. It felt slightly odd seeing a band like this out in the wide open, as my prior experiences had been in little shotgun bars like the Cave. That didn't prevent singer Seth Sullivan from bringing it out into the crowd, at least a bit, as he likes to do (hugged at least one audience-member). This band's eponymous second album was one of the best of last year, REALLY worth your listen.
Naked Gods...
After getting my new favorite sandwich from the
Camel City Grill food truck (PBBJ: peanut butter, red pepper jelly, & bacon!), I had to leave Bailey Park a bit early -- choices, choices -- to catch some of Chapel Hill's
Body Games. The Milennium Center was a great setting for the visuals that accompany their dark, electronic pop. And when just they feared they were getting a little too preachy with the graphics, they brought out the fuzzies!
Body Games...
Stuck around Millenium Center for one of the shows I was most awaiting:
Shirlette Ammons. Her new album, Language Barrier, is a tour de force... a melange of diverse voices joining to express a cohesive vision. Live, Ammons and her band just rock.
Shirlette Ammons...
Next, it was up Trade St. two blocks for my first visit to Test Pattern. The location made my remaining festival choices a whole lot easier, catching two great NC bands there, and tag-teaming with the Garage across the street for two more.
It started with the psych/zen/weirdness of Carrboro's
Jphono1. This band's sound has evolved into a sound of its own, distinct from front-man John Harrison's earlier solo version, and also from his other band, North Elementary. The full crowd at the small venue were loving it.
Jphono1...
Patrick in the zone...
Body Games travels with their light show, apparently (at Test Pattern/Jphono1)...
I often say
Zack Mexico is the best band in NC. It's just my opinion, but I talked up this show to a few festival-goers asking for my opinion on what to see. I also often point out that this is one of the few bands I can watch stretch out a song for 8, 10, or more minutes and not get at all bored (I hate jam bands). They can, and often do, play a 5-song set without leaving you feeling short-changed in the least. This time, they played four... maybe five if you count the little warm-up instrumental at the beginning. But what I heard from people milling around in shock afterwards, it only took four songs to make a lot of new fans. "Amazing!" "Incredible!" "You were NOT wrong!"
Having a moment with a new fan...
Packed Garage for Zack Mexico...
Staying at the Garage, I only stuck around for a few songs -- more choices --for
Boulevards, the stage persona of Raleigh's Jamil Rashad. If I had left, I wouldn't have been able to get back in as the line was around the corner. From what I witnessed, he's all he's cracked up to be. All over the stage, pumping up the crowd to dance and party (like it's 1979). Heavy Chic, Sugarhill Gang disco/funk that gets everyone's feet moving.
Boulevards...
Back across the street to Test Pattern, for Durham's
Brett Harris. Harris and his very tight band played mostly songs from his excellent new album, Up In The Air. That's good, because they're great pop songs from a polished writer who hits just the right notes.
Brett Harris...
Joe Caparo & Brad Porter: Rhythm section to the stars! (they're everywhere, really)
To close out the night, I head two doors down the street for a quick nightcap at Single Brothers. The back patio at this little place featured one of the best sets I'd seen at Phuzz Phest (or anywhere, ever, really), the festival-closing set from T0W3RS in 2014. This night couldn't top that, but Winston-Salem's
Mauve Angeles, the solo project of Spirit System's Eric Gilstrap. He mines the same early-mid 90s British goth vein as his band, with a little more of an updated synth-y approach. Suffice it to say, Bela Lugosi's still dead.
Mauve Angeles...
A couple of years ago, I would have said (and probably did) that Phuzz Phest was a great mid-year festival to hold over those who couldn't wait for the next Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh. Now, I could just as easily say that this year's Hopscotch will make a great festival to hold over those who can't wait for the next Phuzz Phest.
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