"Killdozer are a three-piece band hailing from Madison, Wisconsin - the dairy state, of all places. Anyone who has ever seen them perform can bear witness to their awesome bombastic aural onslaught. Vocalist/bass player Michael Gerald innocently jerks thunderous pounding rhythms from his instrument, while letting forth a mighty roar perhaps more startling because of his otherwise unassuming stage presence. Flanked by Bill and Dan Hobson, on ear-splitting guitar and bone-jarring drums, Michael conveys vivid impersonations of the Great American Dream gone astray, exaggerating in no small detail the potential for existential adventure in the lifestyles of the everyday man. Not to be confused for some trend-kissing band of posing pseudo-intellectuals, Killdozer offsets their warm visions of reality with songs you may remember from your past, bringing you back to those fond memories of jaded youth." [The New Puritan]

Playing almost the same (but a slightly shorter) setlist (Neil Diamond cover included) as they did at Knitting Factory in NYC six days earlier, Killdozer proved, despite their age and new professions, that they can still grind at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin on November 8th.

Michael Gerald is a lawyer now, and he graduated NYU School of Law in 2001, at least that's what his LA law firm bio says... and is consistent with the NYU Law hat he was wearing when he first came on stage to a relatively small, but excited festival crowd. Is there a demand for Killdozer in 2008? I'm not sure it matters, or that the band would care, but it was kind of sad that the majority of the fest's crowd chose Trail of Dead who were playing at the same time on another stage. I found that out when I walked over to catch the end of Trail of Dead after Killdozer finished their set. Regardless, Killdozer (to quote myself) killed it.

Among other things (like telling the crowd to drink beer), Michael pointed out that they, Killdozer, a reunited band who (according to Wikipedia) were active from 1983-1996, are "old". Maybe that's what guitarist Bill Hobson was trying to disprove when, towards the end of the set, he climbed to the top of the scaffolding, played some guitar up there, climbed back down and then played some more guitar with his back on the stage - it was all part of the awesomeness that was the climatic ending of the set. As Austin Daze points out, "The trio left stage with amplifiers feeding back, and the crowd (including members of the headlining acts) screaming for more."

After the show I talked to drummer Dan (brother of Bill) Hobson who told me that Killdozer are not finished yet, and that they're even, though slowly, working on new material. Austin Daze also talked to the band. Their video interview, more pictures, and the setlist below...

Continue reading "Killdozer @ Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin, TX - pics & setlist"

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

Fun Fun Fun Fest (a music festival this weekend in Austin) successfully mixes punk, indie, singer-songwriter, hardcore, dance, hip-hop, metal, comedy, new and old. For instance, after blowing my mind to the thrash metal stylings of Municipal Waste, I immediately ran over to catch the end of Bishop Allen's family friendly indie rock set. I like that. One of the bad things, like most festivals, is how much overlaps. On Saturday I had to completely give up seeing The National, Z-Trip, Neil Hamburger, Yacht, and Hawnay Troof. Tonight (Sunday, November 9th), I'll probably have to miss all of Clipse, Tim & Eric, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, in favor of seeing Bad Brains. I also have to decide between Bouncing Souls and Minus the Bear.

Highlights from day one (yesterday, Saturday) included Dead Milkmen, Municipal Waste (wall of death), Dead Milkmen, Walter Schreifel's solo set (Rival Schools was good too), Dead Milkmen, Killdozer (killed it), Dead Milkmen, Dan Deacon (camp counselor of the year), Dead Milkmen, and Krumbums (punk is not dead). What I caught of Octopus Project, Trail of Dead and Deerhoof was also great. If I say anymore, I'll be late for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears and/or Kevin Seconds. For now, here are some more pictures from day one...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2008 - (some of) day one in photos "

Dead Milkmen @ Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin, TX - Nov 8, 2008

After Schulthise's death, the surviving Dead Milkmen took the stage once again for two consecutive nights in November 2004 at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. Proceeds were donated to a variety of mental health organizations and to a Serbian monastery that Schulthise supported. Dan Stevens, bass player of Genaro's band the Low Budgets, performed on bass.

In 2008, the band announced its plans to play the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX, their first performance since the Schulthise memorial show, with Stevens again on bass. When asked if they were planning a corresponding tour, the band said they were not planning to do so. However, the band played two unannounced concerts in Philadelphia in October, 2008, billed under their pseudonym Les Enfants Du Prague. Both shows, including one at the small bar Johnny Brenda's and another at the all-ages venue the First Unitarian Church, sold out despite their lacking proper billing. [Wikipedia]

The band, with new bassist, did in fact play that show at Fun Fun Fun Fest last night (11/8). It was my first time seeing Dead Milkmen. I forgot I knew all the words. Full setlist and more pictures later. In the meantime here's some video....

Continue reading "Dead Milkmen - Obama's Bitchin' Camaro (FFF Fest video) "

Photos by Lori Baily

Killdozer are back (for now), and this past Sunday, November 2nd, they played a NYC show at Knitting Factory with openers Hunchback (from New Brunswick) and Awesome Color. Two days later (yesterday) they played a live set on Brian Turner's show on WFMU. Listen to that at WFMU's site.

Killdozer only have one more scheduled show left, and it will be in Austin this weekend at Fun Fun Fun Fest. More KF pictures and the setlist (Neil Diamond cover included) below...

Continue reading "Killdozer - Knitting Factory pics & setlist, WFMU stream"

Tickets are on sale for the Killdozer show happening at Knitting Factory in NYC on November 2nd.

by Black Bubblegum

F*ck You, We're Touring!

Killdozer played with all original members at Touch and Go Records' 25th anniversary celebration in Chicago, Illinois on September 9, 2006. To promote the event, flyers declared "Fuck You, We Reunite!", harkening back to the name of their farewell tour ("Fuck You, We Quit!) [Wikipedia]

It isnt the first time that they reformed, but it is the first time that they've played NYC in over ten years. Killdozer have announced six shows beginning in their hometown of Madison, Wisconsin with a date at The Knitting Factory in NYC on November 2nd and concluding at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, a festival whose lineup they share with Cro-Mags (Jam), Walter Schriefels, The Dead Milkmen and many many many others.

Killdozer 2008 is still all original members. That includes Michael Gerald (vocalist, bassist, founder), Dan Hobson (original drummer), and Bill Hobson (original guitarist). It has also been confirmed that Paul Zagoras (guitars from 1993-1996) will join the band for some songs in Wisconsin. No NYC tickets yet. All dates below...

Continue reading "Killdozer - reunited, playing NYC & other places - tour dates"