pitchfork fest

festivals always confuse me. i kind of don't get why you'd want to sit in the hot sun and dust and see bands in broad daylight that are better suited to tiny rooms and colorful lites. i also cannot stand port-a-potties. that said, we were able to snag artist passes and poo in peace. for the first time since maybe lollapalooza 1993, however, i spent more time communing with the kids rather than huddled 'round the beer tent in the back. the reason for this was i manned a booth for my publisher, picturebox.



me and my handlebars had a grand time and made lots of new friends. i barely got away to see any music, but somehow i didn't mind. the (somewhat surprising) highlite for me was catching brightblack morning light play everybody daylight. i caught about ten seconds of steve shelley tearing it up on the drums during the daydream nation set and the moving yoko encore featuring thurston moore and thousands of lighters waving in protest to the war and um, that's about it. i will say this, the festival did a fine job of hosting quality vendors - dang near every independent label was represented, lots of fine handmade crafts, and a collection of the best poster art in recent memory. that said, i am surprised more people didn't bring money. it was so sad to see people flip out over my book and not have the money to buy it (at a discounted price even). at least i know they weren't blowing their money on henna tattoos or something ridiculous like that. anyway, thanks to everybody who stopped by to say 'sup and hopefully i'll see you again soon.