With the 2015 version of Shaky Knees Festival‘s official schedule being announced, 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.
Shaky Knees Friday Day 1, starts out strong where the 12:30PM time slot has Surfer Blood at the Peachtree Stage and Blank Range at the Boulevard Stage. Check back daily as we explore each time slot.
Surfer Blood – Peachtree Stage
By Tracey Sutton
If you like dreamy surf rock with a dark twist, then Surfer Blood is not to be missed on Friday! The West Palm Beach, Florida band stormed the Indie Rock scene with their debut album “Astro Coast” in 2010.
I first read about the band when I picked up an NME magazine and read a tiny blurb about up-and-coming bands. I had also picked up a local Columbus paper that has listings of all bands and venues in the area. I screamed a little bit, audible enough to cause those around me to look up, when I discovered that Surfer Blood would be playing a tiny, musty venue the very next week!
I walked into a very empty venue and pretty much stood alone with a friend off to the side so as to not seem like a super-fan in the making! Though nerves seemed to have the best of them, they still reeled me in, leaving me wanting more
Since then, I have been to many, many more SB shows, as well as watched them become a solid band with loyal followers. “Astro Coast” played on repeat for an entire year in my car. Its dark but poppy tunes are undeniably irresistible and never fail to cause an epidemic of dancing.
Two albums and one EP later, they never disappoint. Consistently spitting out well-thought-out tunes with somewhat complicated lyrics, each album is very listenable and worthy a permanent home in the old disc changer in my car.
In a festival setting like Shaky Knees, with a sea of dancing fools, Surfer Blood is not one to be missed. The solid tunes, gritty guitar, and danceable melodies will have you wanting more and really set the party mood for a Festival Friday night and the rest of the weekend!
*** Editor’s Note: Sad to hear the news of Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete’s battle with cancer. Please considering helping out Thomas in his battle at: http://www.gofundme.com/sb22g7f
Blank Range – Boulevard Stage
By Mike Gerry
Blank Range is a five piece American rock ’n roll band — bass, two guitars, drums and keyboards, from Nashville, TN. This is a powerful rock band full of energy. With a classic rock ‘n roll sound, one of those sounds that will always be around, these guys are sure to be able to get the festival crowd at Shaky Knees going while still keeping it fresh.
Blank Range is currently out on tour opening up for the likes of Two Gallants on some dates, and The Mountain Goats on others. Besides the dates at Shaky Knees, they will also be gracing the stages of Sasquatch this year. We have learned to trust the organizers of Shaky Knees in the past, bringing great headliners, always plenty of newer talent to discover, and there is no reason not to trust them this year.
Blank Range only has a few singles and an EP for you to check out prior to the festival. They are planning on going into the studio later this year to work on their full length debut album. But that’s one of the best parts about an indie festival like this, get there early and discover that next great up and coming band. Blank Range might just be it. I have a feeling that those of us that get there early Friday are in for quite the treat from Blank Range.
Check out the Shaky Knees 2015 Friday Day 1 playlist on Spotify:
