Hot Water Music, Bouncing Souls, Elway, Cobra Skulls | Photo Essay

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by Andrew Norman

The annual, preeminent punk rock festival in Gainesville, Fla., The Fest features some of the best bands in the world and almost zero rock stars. For three days in late October each year, 6,000 fans and 300 bands watch shows, eat lunch and party loud and late with each other. Here, everyone is a fanboy. And even those of us in our 30s or 40s are 16. It's a place where George Romero from Hot Water Music and, now, Against Me! serves you a beer and you share a shuttle to the airport with Spider from Kid Dynamite (and formerly Georgie James). 

It always starts with a pool party on the Holiday Inn in Gainesville's rooftop deck, featuring some of the most impressive beer guts and hairy backs you'll see anywhere. Here are photos from Friday night. And we'll post Saturday's tomorrow.

Fest Pool Party

Fest 10 Pool Party Fest Pool Party

Eric Solomon of Oh Pioneers!!!Eric Solomon of Oh Pioneers!!!

Joey LaRocca (The Briggs) photo by Angie NormanJoey Briggs

ElwayElway Elway Elway Elway

The CopyrightsThe Copyrights The Copyrights The Copyrights

Cobra SkullsCobra Skulls Cobra Skulls

Bouncing SoulsThe Bouncing Souls The Bouncing Souls The Bouncing Souls The Bouncing Souls

Hot Water MusicHot Water Music Hot Water Music Hot Water Music

Red CollarRed Collar

Andrew Norman is Hear Nebraska's publisher. He had to crowd surf off the stage when he left Hot Water Music to catch Red Collar's epic (albeit dark) set. He thought those days were over. They're not. Contact him at andrewn@hearnebraska.org.