Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation

22nd – 29th August 2011

If you’re like me and share a soft spot for all things punk rock, then perhaps this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation Festival is as up your alley as it is mine. Now in it’s second year it offers a legitimate musical alternative to Edinburgh’s fringe festival and the organizers have secured some very good acts indeed, as Glasgow is set to be invaded by some of the US’ veteran punk rock luminaries. Luckily for you, we at Daily Dischord have all the latest news to bring to you as it comes in!

Last year was an eclectic affair, with Lostprophets, Limp Bizkit and Bad Religion taking centre stage over the weekend but the question is, with so many good acts announced (and this is just the opening onslaught) where do we start?

A few years ago New Found Glory played an intimate show in The Garage to a sold out crowd and between me and you, it was bloody brilliant. That was in support of their last record Not Without a Fight, whereas this one is a warm up for their Leeds and Reading show. Not that it makes much of a difference because New Found Glory are an act with quite the back catalogue of pop punk classics and they never fail to disappoint. Mega fun, full of energy and with jokes a plenty, these guys have been doing this so long that they’ve never had an off day (that I’ve seen, anyway). They were amazing last time and I’ve no doubt they will be again, as they return to The Garage on August 22nd. The best part about it? They sell out venues bigger than this on a regular basis so the 700 capacity main hall is positively intimate by their standards. Get on it. You’ll be gutted if you don’t.

For me, however, the best announcement is clearly the dual sets from The Bronx and Mariachi El Bronx. This will be the first time the band has ever played both sets back to back in Scotland, so it seems to me that this is going to be a bit special. Taking place on August 26th in The Glasgow Garage, it’ll be interesting to see the transition from Mariachi band extraordinaire to crazed hardcore fuelled fury, soothing the crowd with one set of tunes before tearing The Garage apart with another. I’m seriously, seriously excited about this and you’d be a fool to miss it.

On August 25th you’re going to have a real headache deciding between pseudo-Irish punks Flogging Molly in The Garage or recently reformed melodic hardcore legends Face to Face in the equally legendary King Tuts. I’m not going to decide for you, but I hear Flogging Molly bring an energetic and mesmerising live performance, however I’m more of a Face to Face man myself and seeing these guys back on the road again will be a treat. Both have new records out this year (Face to Face release‘Laugh Now, Laugh Later on May 17th and Flogging Molly release Speed of Darkness on May 31st), but since I’ve never seen Face to Face live I know where I’ll be. But where will you be? Both shows are going to be awesome and no doubt full of boundless energy so you’re spoiled for choice, frankly.

Fresh off releasing their new album Hope, The Blackout will be tearing up the ABC. Currently touring Europe, the last few gigs this band have played in Scotland have been sell outs so this is destined to get hot ‘n’ sweaty. If you’re a fan of the Welsh guys, and at a loss on August 24th then this is one you should not miss.

It’s looking pretty great so far, it has to be said and we’ve been promised that there are loads more acts to follow. Forget about an expensive trip down south to Leeds or Reading, spending a fuck load on beer, camping and sitting through a ton of bands you don’t like and make your way to Glasgow for some of the best punk gigs the city has seen in a long, long time. Regardless of what other acts are booked to play in the future, it’s going to be a wild, wild weekend.

That’s all we have for you just now but let it be known that Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation 2011 is going to be better than ever, and we will be bringing you all the latest news and all the hype as it comes. Stay tuned to Daily Dischord for all things DAMNATION.

Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday 6th May at 9am and are available by logging on to www.gigsinscotland.com or by calling 08444 999 990