GODDAMMITBOYHOWDY: IN! FOCUS ON THE TOTAL TEAM: JUSTIN LAWRENCE, HELL HOUSE SOUND.
A raucous teenage trio from Browning, MT. playing their own brand of punk, rock-n-roll, and country to the listener's delight. They are tight but not polished and nor should they be; their energy is too raw to harness. Even at their tender young age, these boys write and play songs that would surprise even the most music-snobbish, thirty-something, intellectual hipsters yet they never let the depth of their material interfere with their passion for high-voltage fun and energy-driven, scathing live shows. As if this wasn't outstanding enough on its own merit, they put mighty good use to the cowbell like any bitchin' band should! GODDAMMITBOYHOWDY will leave you more than aurally satisfied and wishing that you were as cool as they are. Don't miss the shining stars of the Hi-Line or their GODDAMMCOWBELL!!! -MT

Ladies, and perhaps gents, we present for your pleasure... Mr. Justin Lawrence Esq. of Hell House Sound. Justin has been placing microphones and turning knobs for Total Fest since our first, back at Jay's in 2002. He's a professional, an enjoyer of Irish whiskey, and used to play bass for Humpy (and a Texan death metal band called Auschwitz). Recently Justin has broadened his Hell House Sound team to include Matt Swofford (of Mahamawaldi fame) and these two gents will be reason that Total Fest sounds so sweet. Applaud him. Stroke his hair. Stay clear of him when he's going between stage and soundboard!

LOCALS CONTINUE TO BLAST: VERA, EL ZOMBI GATO ENTOTALED!
The gents and ladies of Missoula's El Zombi Gato are more than wee bit on the "aged" side of the spectrum, but rather than detract from their intensity, EZG's age helps them concoct a wicked, noisy powerhouse of a sound, akin to Dead Moon, Radio Birdman, and some midwestern shitrock outfit, like the Pagans.

Part parole officer and part parolee, part tile layer and part coffee roaster, El Zombi Gato parts are old and crusty, but their sound is fresh as a daisy blooming at the dump. EZG combines members of the Oblio Joes, 5 in the Face, thee Hedons, and Sasshole and Missoula Legend, Mike Doerner. Mike's been perfecting a bearing system to overcome friction and finally master the magic of perpetual motion. That's when he's not blowing sax and pounding Wurlitzer in El Zombi Gato.

Now, on to Vera! (this from Total Organizer Milli) A lot of people, gender notwithstanding, are full-on suckers for chick bands, even when they totally suck the big one. Well, let me tell YOU, Mister and Missus, VERA is not a novelty and not just aesthetically pleasing. These girls play their instruments like bonafide rockstars with a 60's garage-ish type vibe but with their own, bigger sound. VERA is a locally grown duo that have already marked their local and national territory: Cyndie, from Spanker and Sharky on git box; and Jenny ("Jenima") Jen, from Sasshole, hittin' the skins. They've been somewhat tagged with being the "Mom Rock" band, and granted, they are both hot mamas and there's a few songs about parenthood. But who said parenthood was cuddly?? There is some serious righteous rage in their self written, well-arranged songs that is mediated only by their melodic, sometimes dischordant, but always harmonious, shared vocal duties. I said "duties." -MT (Editor's note: Vera get props for having a framed Total Fest II Tom Dewar poster on their practice space wall)

LOCALS BLAST IN: REPTILE DYSFUNCTION
Oi Vey--classic street punk at its best! These local boys have been around forever and they keep getting better as if a fine, audio wine. Wicked distorted riffage, throbbing, walking bass, and on-the-spot drum fills with throaty vocals, REPTILE DYSFUNCTION is a fast and furious, (working) class act. A definite throw back to early, safety pin punk, they don't rip off the 77 forefathers like so many other bands do; they are as refreshing as a Pabst stubby at beer-o-clock. REPTILE DYSFUNCTION has an on-stage and musical piss-off attitude that comes natural, unlike the aforementioned identity crisis, work hard to be like so and so "musicians" who only end up looking like d-bags. REPTILE DYSFUNCTION will leave you feeling like you were punched in the throat...in a good way. Maximum Rock & Roll loved them, why wouldn't you??--MT

LOCAL SIGHTING: WARTIME BLUES
(This from Total Organizer Genna): An eight piece modern Americana outfit, Wartime Blues provides narratives reminiscent of a Steinbeck novel and driving the straight-aways of the Great Plains in an old pickup truck. Featuring haunting cello lines, mandolin, banjo and an occasional saw, these Missoulians tell stories apt to the classic Montana environment. From 24-hour travel plazas and small, tightly knit towns, the Wartime Blues articulate it all.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: SOUTHERN HIP STRIP, COMPUTER DUDES:
Continue south on Higgins Avenue and the first shop on the 800 block you'll need to swing by is Rockin' Rudy's Record Heaven. This is the vinyl satellite of the main Rudy's, which is just a skosh further down Higgins on Blaine. Rudy's is the O.G. Missoula record store, and their Record Heaven (821 S. Higgins) has a huge, competitively priced stock. Their world, folk and new release sections run particularly deep. Next door (829 S. Higgins) is Nature Boy, your one-stop store for the new family that wants its landfill footprint to be as light as possible. Nature Boy features all-things nursing, diapering, child carrying, and even features their own line of "Mutha," "Brutha," "Fatha" shirts! Julie and Bryan are looooooong-time Total Fiends. Julie's made our passes for the past 7 years, and Bryan currates the Record Swap! With no storefronts to call home, the fine folks at How's Your Network and Astarna Inc. are no less approachable for your internet needs. Astarna Inc. is a web development company, and Hank and Amy's work can be seen at the wantageusa.com site. Incredibly professional, knowledgeable and thoughtful about getting folks the right tool for their needs. How's Your Network is Shane Volumen's business, and he does all things network. Shane's a hell of a guy, and a saavy as hell computer nerd.

KBGA IS BRINGING DRUNK HORSE TO TOTAL FEST VIII!
Oakland, California's a town with a musical pedigree. From Tower of Power to the Coup, and back over to High on Fire, Brainoil and the Fleshies Oaktown's a powerhouse. Sitting well atop the pile of talent that decides to call the East Bay home is Drunk Horse. Drunk Horse's dynamic, loud rock and roll is the kind of music that you don't hear in crappy punk clubs, unless ... it's Drunk Horse playing. Lyrically, Eli Eckert's words deal with a wide range of themes, from the biblical to the Bach, and back over to (Cormac McCarthy fare like) man's fallibility.

They started their career on Frank Kozik's upstart imprint, Man's Ruin, and released an epic couple of records, Drunk Horse and Tanning Salon/Biblical Proportions, and then moved along to Tee Pee, a New York label with a long history of putting out great bands (like Brian Jonestown Massacre, Logical Nonsense, Witch, etc. etc. etc.).

Somewhere along the line, they hooked up with the Fucking Champs, Cherry Valence and Federation X, played Total Fest I (in 2002) and toured like men posessed. They went to Slovenia. They came home. They put out the Prince covers 7"s on Wantage. Their most recent, 2005's In Tongues, upped the ante for the Drunk Horse deal. It brought their straightforward hard-boogie sound to new levels, and left fans with the record left on perma-repeat for months. Songs like Reformed Asshole and Vatican Shuffle showed that they were erudite dudes who could fucking rock. And then, right around the 10th anniversary of the 'Horse's founding, they began to play a lot less. Cyrus upped his commitment to equally shredding Saviours (Total Fest VII), Eli stepped up his fathering duties, and the Horse came galloping through much less frequently.

Well, that all had to change, and the forces that be at KBGA decided that to commemorate year eight of Total Fest they'd invest in bringing this crew back up to the Treasure State. Total Fest happens August 20-22 in Missoula, Montana at the Badlander/Palace. Drunk Horse will be there.

SOCKS AND SANDALS: ENTOTALED!

This from Total Organizer June:
Recently named “Olympia’s New Party Band,” Socks and Sandals is joining the Total Fest lineup for their very first time! This pop punk quartet stays true to their genre with short songs filled with distinct electric organ voiced riffs, up-beat drums, fast guitars and happy yelling. Socks and Sandals shares members with other pop punks from Olympia, Washington such as Chin Up, Meriwether! and the Hail Seizures, and their high energy will surely make you dance your socks and sandals right off your feets. Either that or they’ll make you want to start wearing socks with sandals to be just as cool.

(Ed. note: Socks And Sandals features former Missoulian and Total Organizer Peter "Chin Up" Dolan and more than a couple of rat tails!)

Stream Socks and Sandals' "OKC":



SPONSOR FEATURE: SUPPORT FOR TOTAL FEST BRIMMING ON MISSOULA'S "HIP STRIP!"
Each year, we ask a handful of our friends (who own businesses) if they'll throw in some money or stuff to help us make Total Fest happen. This year, the Hip Strip is representing hard! Let's take a tour, shall we? Starting with Shakespeare And Company facing the Clark Fork right on the South side of the Higgins Bridge on 3rd. Shakespeare's a wonderfully thorough and knowledgeably-staffed shop with great music, nonfiction, travel books and zines! Next up, Betty's Divine, a local clothing shop for women and men is at 521 S. Higgins. Betty's supports local designers, stocks ethically made clothing and also is packed with good people. Follow Higgins south to 4th and make a right, and on the left hand side is Le Petit Outre, Missoula's first-rate French bakery, coffee, cheese/butter and olive oil shop. Niki subsists on their ham and cheese croissants. Continue around the corner of 4th on Myrtle to the Kettle House, and their tap room/growler fill. Fresh beer, good people, KH has been a Total Fest sponsor for years! Swing back to the east, to the corner of 5th and Higgins and have a cone at the Big Dipper. BD's been offering their parking lot to Total Fest's Saturday Record Swap for the past 6 years! Cross Higgins at 5th and head into Ear Candy Music. John, Marty, Kalen, Adelaide and the crew at Ear Candy know their stuff, and set you up with the Merzbow, Can, or Oneida record you've been dreaming of! Walk north, to the business next door, Edge of the World. EOW's a shop that caters to the active-lifestyle liver. Everything from kayaks, to skate and snow boards, to clothing and etc. Thanks, sponsors.

ATOMIC BRIDE: IN
This from Total Organizer June:
Seattle, WA’s own Atomic Bride has been confirmed for Total Fest VIII. This rock and roll foursome is fronted by dynamic female Astra (aka Cat-Astra-Phe) and Chris Cool, and supported by members with equally interesting names, including Avtar, Rachy (baby) and Collin Monoxide. The band describes their music as “art-damaged wasteland rock and roll trash” and certainly is reminiscent of punk, surf, and rockabilly sounds. With some ties back to Missoula and as former Total Fest attendees, Atomic Bride will extend the boundaries of their rockin’ grungy music to other stages of the pacific northwest!