A Guide to DIRTFEST 2005

 

By Robert E. Martin

     The Dirt Fest 2005 is an annual event held in the heart of Mid-Michigan at the Birch Run Expo Center on Saturday, August 13th that has evolved into a unique event celebrating the collaboration of many divergent styles of music ranging from Metal, Punk, Alternative, Emo, Hip-Hop, Hardcore, Grind, Indie and Pop, presented on four outdoor stages to showcase the progression of established favorites, while giving amazing up-and-comers a chance to make their mark upon a broadly defined audience.
 

Now in its 9th year, Dirt Fest is coordinated largely through the immense efforts of Matt Dalton, who first started producing original rock shows at Olde Jamestown Hall at the age of 17. While the first Dirt Fest took place in the backyard of originator Kurt Gust, this year's Festival will feature over 60 bands hailing from all over the United States as far away as California.
    

Moreover, as it enters its 9th year, Dirt Fest 2005 is evolving into much more than merely a huge mid-Michigan Woodstock type musical event to showcase excellent and often under-heard talent.
 

"Each year we try to spice up the mix by adding all kinds attractions that give wide variety of art and culture to the life of the festival," explains Matt. "For example, this year we'll be showcasing Scooter Trash which consists of some excellent 'extreme' exhibitions by an incredible Motorcycle Stunt Team.  Plus we'll be bringing in the Michigan Wrestling Organization to hold demonstrations and matches, so actually the Festival is transforming into much more than a music festival."
       

Additionally, there will be full custom ramps and a street course for skating.
 

When asked what it feels like to present such an ambitious cultural showcase, Matt is reflective.
      

"A lot of people drive from Detroit and different cities from all over the state and beyond to make the trek, so I'd like to eventually make plans to move Dirt Fest to different cities one day. But for now I want to get it blown up as much possible around Michigan. I think a lot of major national shows have problems with high-ticket prices, which is why we wanted to make sure that Dirt Fest was affordable. $8.00-$10.00 to see over 60 bands coupled with the other non-music events we are presenting is very reasonable, and quite incredible, frankly."
      

The growth of Dirt Fest has occurred almost exponentially.  The first year the event drew 100 people, the second year it drew 250, then 500, and in 2001 it drew an impressive 1,400 people.
   

All ages are welcome to the event and alcohol is served for 21 and up with proper ID. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the gate, with advanced tickets available at Mid-Michigan Music (Saginaw/Bay City); Electric Chair Tattoo (Bay City, Flint, Clio); Drunken Monkey Tattoo (Saginaw); Turntable 2 (Saginaw); Paradise Express (Flint) and 11600 N. Beyer Rd. across from the Birch Run Outlet Malls (exit 136 on I-75).
 
        Here is a few 'spotlights' on some of the high-points, both musical and non-musical, that guarantee to make Dirt Fest 2005 one of the most memorable Mid-Michigan events of the Summer months.

Arizing * Detroit

This 4-piece high-energy melodic rock band hailing from the Motor City possesses a refreshingly ear-awakening dynamic not unlike some of popular music's most timeless artists, yet they possess a strikingly distinct sound that separates them from the crowd in much of today's stagnant music climate.
 

By blending the alt-rock attitudes of groups like Smashing Pumpkins and Failure with highly palatable modern rock such as Jimmy Eat World, Mae, and Amerblin, Arizing's music runs the gamut from up-beat and aggressive to melancholy Emo mixed with melodic and emotive pop phrasings.
Orchestra arrangements, synth pop, and other nuances comfortably accentuate the alternative rock based fabric of Arizing.

Since their inception in March 1998, Arizing has steadily developed their chops and advanced considerably since their 2002 recording debut, Womb, which was mastered by Tom Baker of Stone Temple Pilots and Marilyn Manson fame.

 

Currently recording new music for 2 releases slated for this Fall, a 3-song sampler will be released for free at Dirt Fest including the track "Terror" which is available online now from arizing.com.
 

Arizing has carved their niche in the regional scene playing such notable venues as St Andrews Hall (Detroit), The Metro (Chicago), The Emerson Theater (Indianapolis), and Peabody's (Cleveland), and also by appearing on The Van's Warped Tour, The Midwest Music Summit, The Motor City Music Conference, and consecutive headlining slots on Mid-Michigan's largest outdoor rock festival, The Dirt Fest.
 

Similar to the way Perry Farrell sprang out of Jane's Addiction to start Lollapalooza; Dirt Fest organizer Matt Dalton is one of the pivotal members of Arizing responsible for giving birth to Dirt Fest.
     

As for recent recording projects, Matt explains that the group currently as a demo CD comprised of really catchy, strong songs in the works that have been written over the last year.
 

"Terror, Right Now, and Peace are the songs we will give out free at Dirt Fest, and the 2nd release will be an official release through our record label which will feature some of our more experimental material," notes Matt.
 

"We plan to finish that up by this fall. The recording process has been somewhat unique as we bought a house in January to convert into a recording studio in order to be able to record these songs at our own pace, the way we feel they should sound. We have been hard at work on not only the demo songs, but also the official release since we finished the construction of the studio in the spring, and we're very excited to release the first batch of tunes at Dirt Fest".
 

In an age when it can be difficult to distinguish oneself from the musical crowd, what type of values and sensibilities is the group trying to convey?
 

"In this day and age, a lot of bands really do struggle to find their voice," reflects Matt, " and I think that's where we are able to rise above. We all have such varied influences, and we have all found a unique chemistry within our song-writing unit. We are in a place where we feel no bounds as writers, and so when we finish songs, or a collection of songs, they turn out having a very signature sound.  We receive comments on our MySpace account all the time from people all over the United States saying they really like our sound because not only is it infectious, but no one can put a finger on any other band that we sound like"
 

Having toured considerably around the Midwest, the group has been taking time away from playing live since they began recording this past spring. Dirt Fest will be their first performance since April, although the group intends to head out on the road from the East to the West coast heading into 2006.
 

"The music industry couldn't be in a scarier situation," comments Matt. "Record sales are down, concert attendance is down, while CD prices and concert ticket prices continue to climb. I think the old dogs are having a hard time learning the new tricks concerning the advent of the Internet and shaky state the economy is in."
 

"There's a lot of finger pointing and tail-chasing to make the industry thrive like it was in the 90s, but I have an optimistic view. One thing you cannot stop is peoples' desire to be entertained. It may take some real change on the business side of things to adapt to how a new breed of people expect to get their entertainment, but I'm confident Arizing will be a big piece of that puzzle, too."


The 2nd System *  Saginaw

These guys have been making big waves lately.  After nabbing top honors at this year's Review Music Awards Ceremony by winning Best Rock Band, the group also parted ways this year with founding drummer Jack Masters and solidified its lineup with the addition of former Tension Head drummer Tyler Johnson.

March of this year saw the release of their latest disc, Karma Chanics, which has been in the works since October 2003. Mixed by the band themselves, the disc captures the groups' 'nu-Goth' sound with songs such as Change of Heart, No One, Unscene and Anxious Intuition, their ode to masturbation.

 

The band is currently going through its second pressing of the CD and sessions have begun for their next full-length release, the first to feature Johnson.

HORSE THE BAND * CALIFORNIA

Making the largest trek this year for Dirt Fest is Horse The Band, hailing from the Lake Forest area of California as part of their tour with Curl Up & Die and Bear Vs. Shark.
 

Apart from trekking so far to make their appearance at Dirt Fest, this group definitely possesses a unique vibe, drawing influence from the music of Nintendo games (of all things!)
 

These California street-smart emo-rockers consist of 4 of their five members formerly in street gangs, so they definitely have formed a tough collective hide. By using nostalgic, unarguably cool 80s pop-culture references, and making incomprehensible statements beyond critique; they have managed to glean interest from 43 live journals.

SCOOTER TRASH * STUNT TEAM

Comprised of three primary stunt riders, Matt Schwartz, Nick Hill and Dan  'Dizzo' Martell, Scooter Trash is backed by a large supporting cast of organizers and friends. Not only do they compete on a national & international level, but put on incredibly professional demonstrations and shows.
Founded in 1998 the trio is intent upon bringing this new high profile sport of stunt cycling into the mainstream in a manner that is not offensive or dangerous.
 

Practicing new and thrilling stunts to stay on the cutting edge, coupled with five years of experienced helped Scooter Trash compete and win awards both nationally and internationally. Each year they improve upon their reputation by having yet another incident free season.

THE MISCREANTS * SAGINAW

An uncompromising attitude and reputation for perseverance, coupled with 15 years of honing their sound has made The Miscreants one of the most overpowering bands on the mid-Michigan scene.
 

Consisting of front man Pat Kuhn and guitarist Jamey Mann who form the nucleus of the group, bassist Shawn Yancer, lead guitarist Mark Genigeski and drummer Brian Delbousque have worked the Mid-Michigan scene fervently over the years. The band has opened for numerous national acts such as Overkill, Six Feet Under, Monowar and Incantation, and Kuhn has also earned a respected reputation as chief organizer of the annual Altered Skin Revolution held in Old Town Saginaw each summer.
 

With their latest release, Hate Campaign, The Miscreants have cemented their strength as a powerful group of national caliber. As Matt Schaller recently wrote in these pages, "Delbosque's drumming is a doomsday machine in action with Yancer's stentorian bass lines providing the backbone of the outfit. The apocalyptic riffs and solos from axe masters Mann and Genigeski are a case study in sheer brutality, while Kuhn's tenacious domination of the stage and crows is unparalleled."

SOPHMORE * CHICAGO

Born in 2003, Sophmore has but one objective. They want to melt your face. With a solid lineup of fantasy rock stars coupled with a not too subtle 80s feel, this group has been on a nonstop touring binge that has seen the band blow up all over the nation.
 

When asked what they sound like, their only response is "If Jimmy Eat World met Motley Crue". Sophmore is on fire this summer. They just finished up the Taste of Chaos Tour with the Used and My Chemical Romance, and now look to be on the road the rest of the year.

        All of the 50-plus bands performing at Dirt Fest 2005 have profiles on Dirtfest.com, where people can listen to mp3s, read bios, and get linked to the bands' official websites to learn more about groups they are interested in.