Shaky Knees Festival 2015 is less than a week away and now it’s time to start planning out your own personal schedule.
For those difficult decisions, we present to you the Shaky Knees Death Match. We will have each band in every time slot pitted against each other. You make the decision on who you must catch. Check back daily as we explore each time slot.
Shaky Knees Saturday Day 2, 4:45PM time slot includes two artists that have hit legendary status over the last few decades in Flogging Molly at the Peachtree Stage and Built To Spill at the Boulevard Stage.
Flogging Molly – Peachtree Stage
By Zachary Shetler
This years Shaky Knees music festival has plenty of bands that one could sit back and just chill out to. That’s all well and good, but more often than naught I find myself wanting to fist pump. When I go to a festival I want to jump and scream and just be outrageous. I want to be able to do all of those things while comfortably singing/yelling/screaming along to a band with lyrics I could easily grasp. If you find yourself wanting to do any of those things (or all of those things) then Flogging Molly is the Band you want to see. Based out of Los Angeles, Flogging Molly is a group that you would never, EVER expect to have come from the banging mainstream streets of L.A. I say this because they are what could only be described as … hmm … this is actually quite tough. Perhaps one could refer to them as being grungy, punky and very Irish. Only their Lead singer hails from Dublin, but boy does his authentic accent make up for the whole of the band.
They have done everything from sea shanties (“Seven Deadly Sins” which is about drunken pirates and the naughties they undertake) to pub songs that truly just make you want to dance and violently hug the person nearest you (“Requiem for a Dying Song”). Since their debut album “Swagger” in 2000 they have released six albums; all of which hold true to lead singer Dave Kings Irish Heritage. That’s right, each and every song is powerful and intoxicating (insert witty Alcoholic beverage pun here). Flogging Molly is one of those rare bands whose live performances leave you wanting more once it’s over; a sad but necessary moment during anyone’s lifetime. This group shant disappoint ye’.
Built To Spill – Boulevard Stage
By Mike Gerry
This year’s Shaky Knees Music Fest really has paid homage to legendary 90’s indie bands in additional to showing off some of the hottest acts today plus young up and coming bands. Built To Spill is another one of those 90’s bands that are beloved far and wide. Sure you probably haven’t heard their songs on your FM radio, but the cult following these guys have built should tell you all you need to know.
Since forming in 1992, this Boise band has released eight full length albums including recently releasing the excellent Untethered Moon one month ago. The main force behind Built To Spill has always been guitarist/vocalist Doug Martsch who set out to make BTS a rotating lineup around himself. Martsch has become an indie guitar hero throughout the years crafting intricate and arty rock throughout the years. The songs have always been so difficult to teach to a rotating cast, that Martsch had to abandon the goal of an always rotating cast around him and inviting more permanent members of the band.
Alas, though the permanent lineup was changed up again for their latest release Untethered Moon, this time joined by Steve Gere (drums) and Jason Albertini (bass). BTS is still a three guitar army though as they have always been with Jim Roth and Brent Netson filling out the line-up.
If you are looking for music that challenges not only the musicians themselves, but also challenges the listener, then there is no doubt you need to get over to the Boulevard Stage to see what the fuss is all about. This is one of those bands that will be influencing musicians for year’s to come, going against the grain, defying the laws of popular music. The guitars will be heavy, putting you in a trance watching the incredible musicianship on stage. There is no doubt this is a must see show at this year’s Shaky Knees Fest.
Check out these artists on the Shaky Knees Spotify Playlist
