After the Saturday night show we stayed over at Waylon and Meg Thornton's house along with Gemini Cricket. I was glad there was a day show for Sunday. I really didn't want to wander around Gainesville anymore.

The day show was being held at 1982, an all ages venue that used to be the original Common Grounds location. Kristin's pop band Garbo's Daughter was playing so we had to be early. We received word that fellow Orlando band Weak Ends had gotten a flat tire in Ocala, about thirty minutes away from Gainesville. Garbo's Daughter and Weak Ends were going to be sharing gear. All of this did not sit well with the people running 1982, who seemed annoyed if you even looked at them. It made the show feel very awkward from the get go.

The band order was switched around. Garbo's Daughter played first and played a noisy set. Mandy, Jamie and Kristin know how to get things popping. That's for sure. This was their first out of town show in about a year.

Orlando's Weak Ends finally arrived to Gainesville, more or less in one piece. Weak Ends has expanded their lineup from the duo of Geannie Friedman (Saving Twilight) and Sam Metro (Magic and the Johnsons) to add McCarty on full-time drum duty. They've added new songs including Geannie playing bass guitar- she even had a bass solo. It was pretty sweet. They had some gear issues but it didn't detract too much. It was an enjoyable set.

Then the Gainesville bands got to play. Indie trio The Platitudes played a tight set, but they lacked that catchiness factor in their songs needed for what kind of band they are. It didn't seem to memorable for me. Their singer giggled after every time he spoke.

Closing out was Savages, who ventured into space pop territory. I'd almost call them Averkiou's little brother band. They had a big guitar sound rounded up by some pretty awesome drumming. I didn't like the vocal sound but the music was pretty good.

Pictures:

Garbo's Daughter.

Weak Ends - Sam, McCarty, Geannie.

The Platitudes.

Savages.

Video:

 
Garbo's Daughter perform "Ricky" with props!

Links:
Garbo's Daughter.
Weak Ends.
The Platitudes.
Savages.
Pop Mayhem.

The last show for Pop Mayhem would bring everyone back to The Atlantic. The best band of the night would be playing first: Surfer Blood. I've already gone into detail about this band recently. They've been on tour all summer long all over the east coast several times back to Florida and back out again. They're creating a name for themselves. I've noticed them pop up in lots of blogs, youtube videos and were featured on Pitchfork (whatever that means). I say good for them. Their album 'Astrocoast' is coming out officially really soon. I hope it gets them even more attention- they're awesome. Who would have thought some dudes from West Palm Beach could make this happen? Their set was incredibly tight- you can tell they've been playing almost every night for months.

This Pop Mayhem would bring about the live debut of Orlando band Punks Get Cut. Headed by Tic Bowen (For Ex-Lovers Only) on acoustic guitar with cohorts Mike Spiegs (The Elks) on bass and Jason Shusterman (Averkiou) on drums. They put on one of the best pop performances of the festival, even treating the audience with a cover of FELO "Coffin". Tic is a great pop songwriter. They've since changed their name to Go Ghosts.

Next was Horse Shoes, who were originally from Orlando and now relocated to NYC. The guy Jacob used to be in Flashlight Party, a band that I thought was terrible but I heard the recordings from this new band. They were really good. I couldn't believe he did a 180 degree turnaround. Shelflife Records even released their first batch of songs. It made sense! However, the live show fell so flat I has left disappointed. Horribly disappointed. Jacob had two other musicians with him playing all the music (from drum machines/keyboard, percussion and guitar). All while he was singing it was like he was pretending to be a pretty flower growing in the summertime- not in a good way- swaying from side to side. I don't think this shit is going to fly outside NYC. One audience member commented he really "gayed it up". The recordings are worth checking out- avoid live show at all costs! Jacob is also in The Drums.

This brought out the close for Pop Mayhem this year. Like I said- it was scaled back considerably but all in all still pretty good. I'm sure next years will be even better. One thing I would like to see if more out of town people attend and for bands to stay for longer than the day they are playing. This is a good music festival to get behind.

Pictures:

Surfer Blood.

Surfer Blood.

Punks Get Cut - Tic Bowen.

Punks Get Cut - Mike Spiegs.

Punks Get Cut - Jason Shusterman.

Horse Shoes.

Horse Shoes.

Links:
Surfer Blood.
Punks Get Cut.
Horse Shoes.
Pop Mayhem.