Freakout! Records Weekender Recap

The Freakout! Weekender Festival was such a treat to attend. Hosted between the new Crocodile and Belltown Yacht Club venues, music enthusiasts filled the area. Freakout, a local record label that’s home to some of Seattle’s crème de la crem artists presented us with a new spring event. The mini festival boasted some big names showcasing the distinct creative tastes of the label. My time at the festival was thoroughly enjoyed, every artist had different background and exceled in whatever their niche is. Notable acts over the two days were Surfbort, Antibalas, Niis, Armand Hammer, Holy Wave, New Candys, Jango, Lady Wray, Mala Suerte, Margaritas Podridas, Biblioteka, Monsterwatch, and Acid Tongue.

Surfbort, a Punk band from Brooklyn, New York brought an apparent liveliness to the scene. Surfbort (a nod to “Drunk in Love”) are a change in pace with their cheerful yet fiercely explosive style. Following their newest release “Lot Lizard”, the band is noticeably evolving in a way that refines both their sound and style. The band was recently featured in a Gucci campaign early 2019 undoubtedly giving the band some serious traction as well. Resembling something of a real-life punk ragdoll, Dani Miller has a strikingly original persona. Parading around the stage in a rainbow mullet and a wing that would put Amy Winehouse to shame, Dani has an energetically feral presence. With song lyrics that are short and to the point, backed by noisy, gritty guitars. The songs expand on small fleeting thoughts on not having your shit together, but they find the sense humor in it and invite you to as well. While most of the songs are funny and ironic (EX: White Claw Enema Bong hit, Never Nude) they still find ways to slip in more traditional punk focal points like ACAB, Racism, anxiety and the not so cheerful side of being an outcast.

Notable tracks: Lot Lizard 93, Hippie Vomit Inhaler, Trashworld

Rap duo Armand Hammer (New York) brought old school, dark boom bap beats center stage. Shooting rhymes back and forth like bullets, you feel like you’re watching a rap battle only they’re on the same team. Armand Hammer are serious poets with impeccable word play that you’d catch on the spot or a couple seconds after. Almost like a poetry slam, but too loud for snaps. Coming in after Surfbort, their dynamic brought a healthy friction of difference and drew attention to their style even more so. It’s nice to see some real rap in Seattle, even if it’s from across the country. You could tell the crowd was a little puzzled on how to get into this performance but by the end everyone found their rhythm.

Notable tracks: Black Sunlight, No Days Off, Roaches Don’t Fly

I was enamored with Holy Wave instantly. I felt like I was witnessing a painting being brought to life. The colorful and oily acid visuals on top of the artists passionately closing their eyes, making isolated movements was mesmerizing. A dramatic, rolling progression between all the instruments. Giving you what it sounds like when pictures come to life or you’re experiencing the exact frame that’s being captured on a continuous boomerang. I hadn’t heard Holy wave before, but when I got home, I went through they’re whole collection just to find the song I initially heard and to hear more.

Notable tracks: Adult Fear, Hell Bastards, Sol Love

Antibalas ( Spanish for bulletproof), a Brooklyn afrobeat orchestra, captured their audience and instantly got them grooving in a way I often don’t see at Seattle shows. The instruments conversed back and forth with one another in several continuous jam sessions. The set boasted a full horn section, percussion and a traditional maraca that kept the pace for the band despite them individually doing their own freestyles.

Notable tracks: Che Che Cole Makossa, Gabes New Joint, Him Belly No Go Sweet

Across the way at Screwdriver, I ended the night seeing Monsterwatch. I’ve seen chaotic photos on Instagram of the local band but had not yet experienced them. The space was jam packed with dim lights and a three-person band onstage. They kicked into a song that was deafening, I could feel the wavelengths of the amps moving through my body. Energy was constantly simmering in the room until lead John Spinney, unleashed it onto us. My favorite aspect were the driving basslines that kept the energy up.

Notable Tracks: Big Sin, Let Go, Brain Twist

Words: Allison Lynch

Photos: Becki Thorley