Organised by local noise rockers Kolobok, Skronk Fest is billed as a “…celebration of the alternative, experimental, discordant and sublime” taking place on Sunday 25th May at The American Bar (tickets available here).
With that in mind, I decided to contact the group to learn more.
What was the inspiration for Skronk Fest?
Ian Pearce: Years ago, there used to be similar gigs in Belfast such as Curfew Fest, Warzone Fest and its various offshoots like Nuclear Winter and Dancing with the Fallen. They would be all day events where bands from all over the country would play and there was a camaraderie there that you wouldn’t get from ordinary gigs. There hasn’t been one like it in a while, so it seemed a decent time to bring it back.
Eddy Baker: Moving to Northern Ireland from Sheffield in 2018 meant I kind of missed out on the initial wave of the scene but playing the first Kolobok gig last year really demonstrated how it is still possible to create a vibe.
Originally, it was billed as a two-day festival in Bangor. I believe there was a complication re. the original venue hence the move to The American Bar. What made you go for that venue as I mainly know it as a comedy club, and how did you decide on how to condense the bill?
IP: I had played a gig in there under the name Black Lamb (psychedelic folk) just before COVID hit and I found it to be a decent spot open to experimental music. They were the first venue I tried after we were told it couldn’t happen as we had originally envisaged, and they were more than accommodating, even down to letting us know that if they couldn’t accommodate us they were happy to contact other spaces in Sailortown, advocate for us, and lend us equipment if need be.
Matt Crothers: In terms of the line up, it was basically down to who could make the new date and comfort: Eddy’s other band, Bad Noise Monster, were scheduled to be on the first day with Kolobok on the second day. Eddy decided that he didn’t want to do two sets in one day and so Kolobok got the nod.
Tell me who’s on the bill.
IP: Brace yourself!
Many Souls: members/ex members of Blue Whale/Killing Spree/Fucking Roadtrip etc. Dancey post-punk
Kenayda: Dave Kennedy aka Walt of Master and Dog plus Amy McGarrigle of Arc Royale and Stevie Mac etc… Walt recorded the final Comply or Die album and I remember having chats with him about Iain Burgess, Steve Albini and the Wedding Present.
Muted Tweed: Instrumental Prog, heavy in parts. Members have played in Moth, Common Bred Trigger, Big Grizzly etc. Their first gig.
0+: Dan and Al from Exhalers, two-piece Doom Punk that reminds me a bit of Melvins from the rough snippets I’ve heard. First gig for this pair also.
Kolobok: an awesome fuzz/noise rock trio who love cats, dogs, and rabbits.
EB: As you can see it’s quite a diverse bill, musically speaking. This is important to us as we want as many people as possible to come and see these bands. For future gigs that we’ll be promoting, we encourage bands of all calibres and line ups to get in touch with us. Let’s keep it diverse.
As veterans of the NI music scene, how do you view the landscape in 2025
MC: Very fragmented, very insular, very faceless. Maybe I’m showing my age here, but it seems that gig going has become less personal and more business driven. There doesn’t seem to be much buzz regarding local gigs and, if there is, it’s limited to that particular audience.
IC: Big cities like Belfast and Dublin are spoilt for gigs and so people have gotten lazy and too ‘cool for school’. We went to see Bloody Head in Drogheda last year and the opening act was a band called Entrail, comprising local kids playing No Trend style noise rock. Once you get out of the cities and into the small towns, it’s incredible what you can find.
