What is Pouzza Fest, Really?

Pouzza Fest is just a baby in the musical festival world. It has been around a mere five years, but in that short time it has skyrocketed in popularity. This three-day festival showcases punk bands from just about everywhere. This brings us to Pouzza's goal and ultimate message: Punk is still alive, and whoever said it was dead is stupid. Okay maybe that isn't necessarily a quote from their organizer Hugo Lecurie, or even something anyone has said, or necessarily their mission statement. Nonetheless, the festival proves that PUNK is not just a passing trend. It is a lifestyle, an attitude... but sometimes punk still has this really bad rep. 

Here is an actual quote from a former Top 40 music whore: "It's a music scene full of anarchists, and angry skinheads yelling lyrics about sex, violence, and drugs. The scene is crusty and the fans are just a bunch of moody teens. And I fucking hate Blink-182." This person has since been reformed and is too embarrassed to let me use their real name. She saw the light during an outdoor Pouzza Fest show. It was free, a bunch of her friends were going, and so she agreed to join in as long as she got a free beer out of it. This happened a while back. At this show a mutual friend decided to jump into the mosh pit. The story is that our friend comes back with a seriously bloody nose, and there are three guys helping him walk. He gives a thumbs up and waves the dudes away. Turns out it was our friend Mike who fell after getting accidentally kicked in the face (I never said punks weren't rowdy) and everyone nearby lifted him to his feet, dusted him off, and walked him back to the safety blood-free zone.
 
That is the punk rock attitude. It's all about camaraderie, helping those around you and lifting them to their feet when they've fallen. This applies in all areas of life. The punk scene is huge and yet the community is tiny. Big bands help newer up-and-coming artists and "punky" venues like Foufounes Électriques, Katacombes, and Piranha Bar put on shows for free or for really cheap. The artists, bands, and promoters all work together and there is zero competition. Everyone roots for the underdog.

Ultimately, punk is kind of like that friend you had as a kid, the big tough-looking guy who would threaten to beat the shit out of the bullies, but in reality they were just this really good gentle and kind-hearted person with a prickly exterior.

If you take a listen to some of founding members of the punk revolution, you will hear the similarities in their lyrics and chords. These songwriters were angry with their government and society, for propagating war and violence, ignoring poverty and homelessness. This is why those angry kids sing and write furious music. Punk is not about utopian ideals, it is about reality and standing up for change and democracy. Also, Blink-182 isn't punk. Pouzza Fest rallies for all those musicians and struggling bands that won't get an opportunity to be played on mainstream radio because they can't afford to hire a PR agent or manager. Even their volunteers are benefiting from the fest—they get an inside look into the music scene and instant experience without needing to take University courses in music management and sound engineering.

Pouzza Fest is also really generous in terms of media friendliness. I attended their open house and conducted interviews on the fly, met some really fun bands and artists including Teenage Bottlerocket, Brutal Youth, Punchline 13 (one of my personal favourites), and Jukebox Romantics. You can hear all of the interviews in the special Psychic City episode on June 1st starting at 5 PM EST. You will also hear a live phone interview with Spike from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes talking about his latest project at 5:30 PM.

For more information about Pouzza Fest, you can visit their website and Facebook page.

--Tune in to to hear Abby on Psychic City every Monday at 5 PM on CJLO.