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San Francisco - There is a famous adage, spoken long, long ago by some old guy that states something along the lines of "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Perhaps you have even read it on some daily desk calendar, or heard it muttered by Burgess Meredith in some gladiator flick.
Anyhow, the point is that old guy sure was on to something. Not having learned their lesson from last fall's three-day rock and roll headache popularly known as the BudgetRock Festival, the "brain trust" at Thee Parkside, after thorough negotiations and consuming three-quarters of bottle of absinth, have announced that October 3-5 will be set aside as the official dates for BudgetRock II: Son of BudgetRock.
Dreamed up one particularly bitter evening in 2001 by five disgruntled music fans, BudgetRock was initially a platform to celebrate "garage rock" in general as well as the Bay Area's superior firing power of said genre in comparison to the rest of the world. Much to everyone's surprise the resulting three-day fiasco ended up becoming the West Coast's only truly successful garage festival last year. No lines, no riots, no band's not getting paid and no broken promises; just twenty-five bands for twenty-five bucks. Sold-out weeks in advance with fan's from such exotic global locations as Madrid, Spain, Milan, Italy, and Groverston, Alabama all winging it in to participate, Budget Rock was hailed as a full-blown success by everyone from the participating bands, to thankful music lovers, to a befuddled Parkside staff.
2003 finds us on the cusp of another last-minute garage rock caper in the form of BudgetRock II, which already threatening to become a second stunning victory for rock and roll, despite the fact that we still really don't know exactly what we're doing. Bands have been pounding on the club door and demanding inclusion in this year's line-up, not the least of whom are New York's legendary Fleshtones. Now celebrating their twenty-seventh year of "retro" rocking, the patent holders of "Super Rock" are now generally regarded as "the greatest garage band in rock history," (Chicago Sun Times), or, more to the point, "Americaís greatest living rock and roll band" (San Francisco Bay Guardian). Making their first west coast stop in over two years, the 'Tones are riding high on their nineteenth album Do You Swing (YepRoc!), as well as their international renown the premiere live music combo.
Speaking of legends, it was with utter astonishment that the BudgetRock organizers were approached by none other than Cyril Jordan, who also demanded in on the event. The founding member of perennial cult heroes the Flamin' Groovies and a man whom each and every garage rock devotee knows they are unfit to even lick the boots of, Mr. Jordan will be debuting his new band the Magic Christian. Their appearance at the festival will mark Cyril's first full-scale public performance since folding the Groovies a decade ago and is guaranteed to bring the French out of the woodwork in droves.
While many states of our great nation will be represented via their chosen garage rock delegate, BudgetRock II is dedicated to showcasing the talents of what we like to call 'the fertile Triangle of Garagedom.' The Bay Area, Sacramento and San Jose are the three points from which all the truly great California garage bands emanate. From the knuckle dragging rock attack of Sonic Love Affair, to the foot-stomping soul of Harold Ray Live! to the Sermon's psychedelic punk freak-out, nothing beats the Triangle for sheer rock and roll power and BudgetRock is happy to continue our collaboration with these upstanding citizens of Garage Land. Besides bands there will be the usual deejays spinning crusty classics and wailing new tunes, hot dog eating, junk for sale and copious amounts of Pabst Blue Ribbon for ingestion.
As with last year, we expect the venue to be sold out come show time. While there will be a set number of $10.00 daily tickets set aside for lightweight rockers, Thee Parkside recommends taking advantage of the $25.00 three day super pass. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking right here. Otherwise we suggest getting to the joint on the day in question as early as possible, or else you'll find yourself sitting on the curb crying, right next to the rest of the losers.