Saturday, Sept. 11. Normal, IL. Never Forget Fest.

Normal, IL has a definite Everytown, USA feel. And on a tiny road called Cypress, two guys who are both named Kyle live across the street from each other and host house shows. Tonight was the second annual Never Forget Fest. Zero disrespect to 9/11 victims intended, this event was a mockery of blind & bloodthirsty nationalism. One Kyle’s house was dubbed North Tour and the other South Tower. The poster for the event had a flag and a skull and the facebook invitation just listed the band schedule and mentioned that this show is a fundraiser for the local fire department…and that guests should “Wear American! Or get waterboarded until you stop being a terrorist.” Jamie and Mary Kate were scared into taking it a step beyond the flag pin.

There were twenty or so bands playing from the afternoon until late in the two garages. My set was at 5 pm and I played in the driveway. What a great crowd.
Spent some time hanging out with Teaadora, who got me on the show. We’ll play together in a few days in St. Louis. Saw lots of bands play in the crowded garages. This is the band the two Kyles play in together; it’s called Hastas.

The cops drove by a few times but didn’t stop. Fitting: this was a benefit for their buddies in the fire department, after all.