By: Chris McLafferty
Holy shit Indiana! That was incredible. I didn’t know what to expect as we pulled in, after a 4 hour drive that Google told me was only going to last 2 1/2 hours, thanks a lot Google. Yesterday was an absolute beast of festivity. I’m not sure I can walk anymore, I know I can definitely not hear anymore but I’m anxious for day 2 to begin!
Day 1 Recap:
A lying Google, it could mostly be due to the non-stop storms but Google is easier to blame, got us to the show late, arriving just in time for Hearts Like Hell. That was my introduction into MSMFest. What a bar to set. The crunched pavilion was an ideal DIY setting for the two headed dragon of Hearts Like Hell who destroyed.
After getting settled, we drove right to the Modest Merch stage upon arrival, I was able to catch a little Black Cat Rebellion who definitely ran away with yesterday’s fashion award, with a fitting throwback style of straight arena rock.
Then it got real loud as we ripped off a stretch of Eight Days from December, Edhochuli, Church Tongue and Bungler. Each brought something uniquely incredible from their performances.
“Thank you for hanging with us instead of waiting in your cars,” appreciative lead singer Chris Oberholtzer said as 70 mph blew in the wide open pavilion. He went on to thank the volunteers who were being absolutely liquefied as they stood holding flimsy tarps, though never losing the breakdown as they slammed away. A hellacious tsunami is happening outside but the real surge is emerging from drenched Peaveys. “If we don’t see progress, we’re just running around in circles,” Oberholtzer would go on to say, something the band must have embraced early on because you’re not naturally born that great.
Edhochuli turned the amps to 11 where they could be heard from every inch in Morristown, delivering a brutal performance with extensive impressive fretwork and uncaged fury.
I was able to catch the last song by Church Tongue and holy hell am I glad I did. As I walked into the pavilion singer Michael Sugars began a tragic turned inspiring story about his attempted suicide. He started with the animated actions of his attempt before stopping and realizing how great he really had life. He’s since made it his mission to help anyone in the position that he was in and make the most of what we have. A very encouraging prospective, especially in the chaos that this life offers each of us. The song was a tidal wave of emotion and the performance was one for the ages. Smoke bombs began sparkling till their destination and flowed out breaths of color, like it was the Metal Color Run. Sugars ended the set drowning himself in fake blood (I hope was fake but…you know..I actually don’t know). The imagery as the blood rain downed and the small flicker of flame shined through the color clouds was stunning, disturbing but definitely provokingly beautiful.
Just when I thought that performance couldn’t be beat, up to the plate came Bungler. Earlier I mention their delicious 
scent of Every Time I Die, which you could decipher at times during the set, but this animal before us was nothing I have ever seen before, and will probably see again. Performance alone it was one of my favorite uncomfortable art pieces I’ve ever been apart. They were in your face, all over, never letting you take a relaxed breath, constantly pushing you further and further passed your preconceived notions of complacent viewing. Drummers were singers, singers were drummers, coneheads were drummers, literally nothing was expected. This was the live version of Fight Club. Aggressive, pounding, freeing you into a different realm of the world. So much more on this will come in the weekend roundcap.
It’s no coincidence lightning sparked from the sky when Poindexter was striking the Musical Family Stage. With MJ-esque dance moves Poindexter ruled over the fest with a set that’s destined to fill the air of sold out arenas. The kid is way too talented for his age look. I would ID him for a PG-13 movie, he’s got an infectious, cheerful, excited youthful face that’s already given him a leg up in the “musical look” category but he offers so much more than that. Definitely someone to keep an eye on moving forward.
Sirius Black hit around 9pm and quickly showcased why he was one of the most buzzed about names at the fest. Sirius
has range from an uprising crowd banger to a chilled dark and dangerous beat with slick, click clack spraying all in it’s range. Vocally he plays characters well enough to win a Golden Globe, oozing personality in every rhyme.
Merging at the end of Sirius Black, was John Stamps, which when announced got a loud “Who the fuck is John Stamps?” Who the fuck in deed. Stamps hit the stage, a bodied white dude with a fisherman’s hat bleeding his dyed hair out. His look resembled more of someone who punishes their kid for listening to rap music than one to close down the fort, but that’s exactly what he did. He tore through bars with his aggressive lyrical blaring performance that had the crowd off their feet.
Which made me think of the entire festival. At first look it’s a smaller park with 4 pavilions and I believe a shed. The only stage there isn’t used as the 4 pavilions offer a level playing field between the bands and fans. But that’s what makes it great. The interactions are the DIY embrace. The main reason any band is here is for their love of music and the connections they get with their peers and friends. It’s transcending at times more important than any dollar amount. Money can come, the chance to see what your passion does for people can’t come without things like this. Last night the show ended with a fun battle between Automagic and Injecting Strangers on the same stage. It was things like this that make our 40 hour work week worth it. To see something so fun spread so quickly face to concert go-ers face makes us feel alive. I won’t go too far into what happened because some things just need to be seen but I can tell you after 5 hours of sleep, 6 hours of work, 4 hours of driving and another 6 hours of concert mashing, I was still pumped, amped and rocking out full steam till their set came to a close at 11pm. Which is exactly why as I tired as I am, and the uncertainty of how awful I will be come Monday morning at 8 for work, I’m like a little kid on Christmas, barely containing the anxious excitement radiating off me for these next days of presents.
News: No news is good news. So far there hasn’t been any band drops, I’ll keep this updated throughout the day though if any do. As reported yesterday though To Kill A Monster has been moved to 7:30 and everyone else has been pushed up to fill their slot. Update 12:27 Austin Parish will have to miss his performance. He was slated for the Sam Ash Stage at 4:00. Update 2:17 Jig has dropped. They were set for 7 pm at the Musical Family Tree.
Weather tried to play a huge factor in yesterday but no one there gave it two shits and continued to rock on anyways. Today’s weather is calling for a pretty great festival atmosphere. Update: It’s raining and a lot. Someone apparently has a very different idea of what 0% perception means than I do.
Today’s Schedule:
12:00 Bivienni Indy, IN – Hip Hop
1:00 Nothing is Sound Fishers, IN – Indie/Metal
2:00 Apathy Wizards Muncie, IN – Indie/Punk
4:00 Woozy New Orleans, LA – Emo/Indie “Experimental rock that truly takes you from A to B without muddling AB. They play Saturday at 4 and perfectly fit the beautiful mid-day, sun embrace on your face, festival encounter.”
5:00 I Dream in Evergreen Fishers, IN – Indie
6:00 Don’t Call It a Comeback Indy, IN – Pop/Punk Fitting as it’s a reunion show. Also this message from Chris Pratt
7:00 Lions Knoxville, TN -Rock N Roll/Indie “Explorative guitars keep this tune thumping while chanting shouts put the exclamation on a gorgeous view.”
8:00 Run Forever Pittsburgh, PA – Punk “A sing along emotional rock anthem”
9:00 Dowsing Chicago, IL – Emo/Indie “Melodic emo that will get the crowd swaying”
12:30 Doktra Indy, IN – Emo
2:30 Tamas Marion, IN – Indie
3:30 The Family Bed Kansas City, MO – Emo“A Ying Yang vocal attack over a simmering acoustic sway.”
4:30 Wax TV Chicago, IL – Rock N Roll “Dirty fuzzed rock ripping below a layer of can’t put your finger on constantly moving, constantly impressing vocals.”
5:30 Hot Bagels Chicago, IL – Indie
6:30 Wet Heave Bloomington, IN – Punk
7:30 Lost Years Gary, IN – Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll
12:30 Of Creations Muncie, IN – Metalcore
1:30 Pickwick Commons Indy, IN – Metalcore
2:30 Mapmaker Indy, IN – Metal
3:00 Thorr-Axe Bloomington, IN – Metal “If Game of Thrones’ Black Wedding was sliced into your ear.”
4:30 Black Dali Franklin/Shelbyville, IN – Hard Rock
5:30 The Funeral Portrait Atlanta, GA – Rock N Roll “A haunting upbeat, at times body moving blend child of Bullet for My Valentine, Chiodos and The Used but with more originality than this sentence is letting off. This is going to be a treat to see live.”
6:30 Foreveratlast Indy-Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll (AP 100 Bands You Need to Know)
7:30 To Kill A Monster Marysville,OH – Alt/Rock/Pop/Punk This is an absolute can’t miss. They bring so much joy, excitement, energy and power to every show, half of them literally throw up after each set and it’s a Christmas Miracle if drummer Mike St. Laurent doesn’t leave the drums bloody and broken. Worth noting. This is Mike’s 2nd last show with the band.
Sundown: Friday Night Frights Screening of the short films Tickle and Found
1:00 Monterrey NWI, IN – Hardcore
1:40?
2:20 Prize the Doubt Columbus, OH -Hardcore “The music your parents were afraid you would listen to. Dark, haunting and with serious hell raising vocals, the breakdowns should create the pits of legends and leave you feeling unsafe.”
3:00 Coma Regalia Indy, IN – Hardcore
3:40 Alleys Buffalo-Emo/Indie/Punk “Quick foot tapping energy breathes while a daring bass line quakes below.”
4:20 Vowel Cbus, OH – Screamo Never underestimate the levels an unique instrument can add to your repertoire. Vowel never uses the violin as a crutch instead creating an oil and water padding that moves you melodically while beating you via harsh screams. “Icicles”
5:00 Skull Kid Pittsburgh, PA – Indie/Emo/Rock
5:40 Annakarina Pitt-Screamo “An animosity life fight portrayed in your ears.”
6:20 Burn the Army Indy, IN – Metal
7:00 ??
7:40 Messes Somerset, KY – Emo “Emotion bleeds through the screams as the sound sets the pace, none more noticeable than the little extra surprise waiting beyond the last turn.”
1:20 Jeff Kelly
2:00 Grammaw
2:40 Ryan Kerr Fort Wayne, IN – Acoustic
3:30 Bette & Evans Northwest, IN – Indie
4:00 ??
4:40 Forget the Tiger ??
5:20 Cody Almond Indy, IN – Acoustic
6:00 Ryan Puett Indy, IN – Acoustic
6:40 As the Rain Falls Fishers, IN – Acoustic
MSMFest lists each band by genre so we’ve decided to put together a genre schedule for you to make things easier.
Acoustic
Sam Ash 2:40 Ryan Kerr Fort Wayne, IN – Acoustic
Sam Ash 5:20 Cody Almond Indy, IN – Acoustic
Sam Ash 6:00 Ryan Puett Indy, IN – Acoustic
Sam Ash 6:40 As the Rain Falls Fishers, IN – Acoustic
Emo
Modest Merch 12:30 Doktra Indy, IN – Emo
Modest Merch 3:30 The Family Bed Kansas City-Emo “A Ying Yang vocal attack over a simmering acoustic sway.”
Musical Family Tree 3:40 Alleys Buffalo-Emo/Indie/Punk “Quick foot tapping energy breathes while a daring bass line quakes below.”
Stone Tree 4:00 Woozy New Orleans, LA – Emo/Indie “Experimental rock that truly takes you from A to B without muddling AB. They play Saturday at 4 and perfectly fit the beautiful mid-day, sun embrace on your face, festival encounter.”
Musical Family Tree 5:00 Skull Kid Pittsburgh, PA – Indie/Emo/Rock
Musical Family Tree 7:40 Messes Somerset, KY – Emo “Emotion bleeds through the screams as the sound sets the pace, none more noticeable than the little extra surprise waiting beyond the last turn.”
Stone Tree 9:00 Dowsing Chicago, IL – Emo/Indie “Melodic emo that will get the crowd swaying”
Hardcore/Metal/Metalcore/Screamo
Stone Tree 1:00 Nothing is Sound Fishers, IN – Indie/Metal
Musical Family Tree 1:00 Monterrey NWI, IN – Hardcore
Rue Morgue 12:30 Of Creations Muncie, IN – Metalcore
Rue Morgue 1:30 Pickwick Commons Indy, IN – Metalcore
Rue Morgue 2:30 Mapmaker Indy, IN – Metal
Rue Morgue 300 Thorr-Axe Bloomington, IN – Metal “If Game of Thrones’ Black Wedding was sliced into your ear.”
Musical Family Tree 2:20 Prize the Doubt Columbus, OH -Hardcore “The music your parents were afraid you would listen to. Dark, haunting and with serious hell raising vocals, the breakdowns should create the pits of legends and leave you feeling unsafe.”
Musical Family Tree 3:00 Coma Regalia Indy, IN – Hardcore
Musical Family Tree 4:20 Vowel Cbus, OH – Screamo Never underestimate the levels an unique instrument can add to your repertoire. Vowel never uses the violin as a crutch instead creating an oil and water padding that moves you melodically while beating you via harsh screams. “Icicles”
Musical Family Tree 5:40 Annakarina Pitt-Screamo “An animosity life fight portrayed in your ears.”
Musical Family Tree 6:20 Burn the Army Indy, IN – Metal
Hip Hop
Stone Tree 12:00 Bivienni Indy, IN – Hip Hop
Indie
Stone Tree 1:00 Nothing is Sound Fishers, IN – Indie/Metal
Stone Tree 2:00 Apathy Wizards Muncie, IN – Indie/Punk
Modest Merch 2:30 Tamas Marion, IN – Indie
Musical Family 3:40 Alleys Buffalo-Emo/Indie/Punk “Quick foot tapping energy breathes while a daring bass line quakes below.”
Stone Tree 4:00 Woozy New Orleans, LA – Emo/Indie “Experimental rock that truly takes you from A to B without muddling AB. They play Saturday at 4 and perfectly fit the beautiful mid-day, sun embrace on your face, festival encounter.”
Stone Tree 5:00 I Dream in Evergreen Fishers, IN – Indie
Musical Family 5:00 Skull Kid Pittsburgh, PA – Indie/Emo/Rock
Modest Merch 5:30 Hot Bagels Chicago, IL – Indie
Stone Tree 6:00 Don’t Call It a Comeback Indy, IN – Pop/Punk Fitting as it’s a reunion show. Also this message from Chris Pratt
Stone Tree 7:00 Lions Knoxville, TN – Rock N Roll/Indie “Explorative guitars keep this tune thumping while chanting shouts put the exclamation on a gorgeous view.”
Stone Tree 8:00 Run Forever Pittsburgh, PA – Punk “A sing along emotional rock anthem”
Stone Tree 9:00 Dowsing Chicago, IL – Emo/Indie “Melodic emo that will get the crowd swaying”
POP
Stone Tree 6:00 Don’t Call It a Comeback Indy, IN – Pop/Punk Fitting as it’s a reunion show. Also this message from Chris Pratt
Rue Morgue 7:30 To Kill A Monster Marysville-Alt/Rock/Pop/Punk This is an absolute can’t miss. They bring so much joy, excitement, energy and power to every show, half of them literally throw up after each set and it’s a Christmas Miracle if drummer Mike St. Laurent doesn’t leave the drums bloody and broken. Worth noting. This is Mike’s 2nd last show with the band.
Punk
Stone Tree 2:00 Apathy Wizards Muncie, IN – Indie/Punk
Musical Family 3:40 Alleys Buffalo-Emo/Indie/Punk “Quick foot tapping energy breathes while a daring bass line quakes below.”
Stone Tree 6:00 Don’t Call It a Comeback Indy, IN – Pop/Punk Fitting as it’s a reunion show. Also this message from Chris Pratt
Rue Morgue 6:30 Foreveratlast Indy-Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll (AP 100 Bands You Need to Know)
Modest Merch 6:30 Wet Heave Bloomington, IN – Punk
Rue Morgue 7:30 To Kill A Monster Marysville-Alt/Rock/Pop/Punk This is an absolute can’t miss. They bring so much joy, excitement, energy and power to every show, half of them literally throw up after each set and it’s a Christmas Miracle if drummer Mike St. Laurent doesn’t leave the drums bloody and broken. Worth noting. This is Mike’s 2nd last show with the band.
Modest Merch 7:30 Lost Years Gary, IN – Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll
Stone Tree 8:00 Run Forever Pittsburgh, PA – Punk “A sing along emotional rock anthem”
Rock N Roll
Rue Morgue 4:30 Black Dali Franklin/Shelbyville, IN – Hard Rock
Modest Merch 4:30 Wax TV Chicago-Rock N Roll “Dirty fuzzed rock ripping below a layer of can’t put your finger on constantly moving, constantly impressing vocals.”
Musical Family Tree 5:00 Skull Kid Pittsburgh, PA – Indie/Emo/Rock
Rue Morgue 5:30 The Funeral Portrait Atlanta-Rock N Roll “A haunting upbeat, at times body moving blend child of Bullet for My Valentine, Chiodos and The Used but with more originality than this sentence is letting off. This is going to be a treat to see live.”
Rue Morgue 6:30 Foreveratlast Indy-Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll (AP 100 Bands You Need to Know)
Stone Tree 7:00 Lions Knoxville, TN – Rock N Roll/Indie “Explorative guitars keep this tune thumping while chanting shouts put the exclamation on a gorgeous view.”
Rue Morgue 7:30 To Kill A Monster Marysville-Alt/Rock/Pop/Punk This is an absolute can’t miss. They bring so much joy, excitement, energy and power to every show, half of them literally throw up after each set and it’s a Christmas Miracle if drummer Mike St. Laurent doesn’t leave the drums bloody and broken. Worth noting. This is Mike’s 2nd last show with the band.
Modest Merch 7:30 Lost Years Gary, IN – Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll
Out of State Bands
Musical Family Tree 2:20 Prize the Doubt Columbus, OH -Hardcore “The music your parents were afraid you would listen to. Dark, haunting and with serious hell raising vocals, the breakdowns should create the pits of legends and leave you feeling unsafe.”
Modest Merch 3:30 The Family Bed Kansas City, MO – Emo“A Ying Yang vocal attack over a simmering acoustic sway.”
Musical Family Tree 3:40 Alleys Buffalo, NY – Emo/Indie/Punk “Quick foot tapping energy breathes while a daring bass line quakes below.”
Stone Tree 4:00 Woozy New Orleans, LA – Emo/Indie “Experimental rock that truly takes you from A to B without muddling AB. They play Saturday at 4 and perfectly fit the beautiful mid-day, sun embrace on your face, festival encounter.”
Musical Family Tree 4:20 Vowel Cbus, OH – Screamo Never underestimate the levels an unique instrument can add to your repertoire. Vowel never uses the violin as a crutch instead creating an oil and water padding that moves you melodically while beating you via harsh screams. “Icicles”
Modest Merch 4:30 Wax TV Chicago, IL – Rock N Roll “Dirty fuzzed rock ripping below a layer of can’t put your finger on constantly moving, constantly impressing vocals.”
Musical Family Tree 5:00 Skull Kid Pittsburgh, PA – Indie/Emo/Rock
Rue Morgue 5:30 The Funeral Portrait Atlanta, GA – Rock N Roll “A haunting upbeat, at times body moving blend child of Bullet for My Valentine, Chiodos and The Used but with more originality than this sentence is letting off. This is going to be a treat to see live.”
Modest Merch 5:30 Hot Bagels Chicago, IL – Indie
Musical Family Tree 5:40 Annakarina Pitt, PA – Screamo “An animosity life fight portrayed in your ears.”
Stone Tree 7:00 Lions Knoxville, TN -Rock N Roll/Indie “Explorative guitars keep this tune thumping while chanting shouts put the exclamation on a gorgeous view.”
Rue Morgue 7:30 To Kill A Monster Marysville,OH – Alt/Rock/Pop/Punk This is an absolute can’t miss. They bring so much joy, excitement, energy and power to every show, half of them literally throw up after each set and it’s a Christmas Miracle if drummer Mike St. Laurent doesn’t leave the drums bloody and broken. Worth noting. This is Mike’s 2nd last show with the band.
Musical Family Tree 7:40 Messes Somerset, KY – Emo “Emotion bleeds through the screams as the sound sets the pace, none more noticeable than the little extra surprise waiting beyond the last turn.”
Stone Tree 8:00 Run Forever Pittsburgh, PA – Punk “A sing along emotional rock anthem”
Stone Tree 9:00 Dowsing Chicago, IL – Emo/Indie “Melodic emo that will get the crowd swaying”
My Journey
Stone Tree 12:00 Bivienni Indy, IN – Hip Hop
Rue Morgue 12:30 Of Creations Muncie, IN – Metalcore
Rue Morgue 1:30 Pickwick Commons Indy, IN – Metalcore
Rue Morgue 2:30 Mapmaker Indy, IN – Metal
Rue Morgue 3:00 Thorr-Axe Bloomington, IN – Metal “If Game of Thrones’ Black Wedding was sliced into your ear.”
Stone Tree 4:00 Woozy New Orleans, LA – Emo/Indie “Experimental rock that truly takes you from A to B without muddling AB. They play Saturday at 4 and perfectly fit the beautiful mid-day, sun embrace on your face, festival encounter.”
Musical Family 4:20 Vowel Cbus, OH – Screamo Never underestimate the levels an unique instrument can add to your repertoire. Vowel never uses the violin as a crutch instead creating an oil and water padding that moves you melodically while beating you via harsh screams. “Icicles”
Rue Morgue 4:30 Black Dali Franklin/Shelbyville, IN – Hard Rock
Stone Tree 5:00 I Dream in Evergreen Fishers, IN – Indie
Rue Morgue 5:30 The Funeral Portrait Atlanta, GA – Rock N Roll “A haunting upbeat, at times body moving blend child of Bullet for My Valentine, Chiodos and The Used but with more originality than this sentence is letting off. This is going to be a treat to see live.”
Stone Tree 6:00 Don’t Call It a Comeback Indy, IN – Pop/Punk Fitting as it’s a reunion show. Also this message from Chris Pratt
Rue Morgue 6:30 Foreveratlast Indy-Alt/Punk/Rock N Roll (AP 100 Bands You Need to Know)
Rue Morgue 7:30 To Kill A Monster Marysville,OH – Alt/Rock/Pop/Punk This is an absolute can’t miss. They bring so much joy, excitement, energy and power to every show, half of them literally throw up after each set and it’s a Christmas Miracle if drummer Mike St. Laurent doesn’t leave the drums bloody and broken. Worth noting. This is Mike’s 2nd last show with the band.
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