Watch out for clowns! Dirt Fest was a success, delivering a brutal kick to the groin, face and chest of metal fans. Daniel Peake/The Pit
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his year I had the privilege to attend Dirt Fest in Birch Run, Mich. Between ear deafening riffs and bone breaking mosh pits, I’d have to say that the metal culture still lives strong here in Michigan.
While talking to the Tom from Dead Ringer – who I accurately dubbed OG local – I found out that the metal scene over the past 7-8 years has come in waves.
“There’s times when you have some great bands in the area”, says Tom who has been playing locally around Flint for years and has been with Dead Ringer since 2006. “But then it will die off for a while and come right back in with new bands doing new things and keeping the metal scene alive.”
Flint, which has been dubbed in the media as Murdertown, USA, has been creating quite the stir in the metal world in Michigan. Local band King 810 had more of a following there than any other band I laid witness to. Their down to earth, real life lyrics about what it’s like to live in a place like Flint brought the vibe for the festival, bringing it a whole new dose of reality for those who may not have known about life in the area.
And, of course there was the now, in my eyes, infamous smoke grenade that got thrown into the middle of the crowd during their set, causing the funniest yet most contained chaos that I have ever seen break loose.
But this festival wasn’t just about locals and hardships. It was filled with powerhouse headliners such as Down, Coal Chamber and Fear Factory; all of which brought back a very interesting nostalgia for myself and probably many others there.
I feel as though there was a good reason these bands decided to come play this fest in middle Michigan.
While speaking to Mike Cox, drummer for Coal Chamber, he said, “The Midwest is a lot like Europe. If they like a band from the beginning they stick with it. It becomes so unpopular to like certain bands but the Midwest doesn’t seem to care. Michigan has always treated us well.”
Which I felt was definitely apparent in their set because while they were playing, the crowd was thoroughly elated with furious fun that can only be brought upon by bands who do what they do and make damn sure they do it right.
In the midst of all the big name acts, there were a couple of much lesser known local acts that definitely deserve a very honorable mention.
Beast In the Field – a two piece band – had probably my favorite sound in the entire festival. Amazing drumming and free-flowing masterfully crafted guitar riff phrases put together a sound that you couldn’t help but allow to envelop your being, even in the middle of the day.
Then from way out in Alpena, Mich., which for those that don’t know can accurately be described as B.F.E, came a surprise sound from Death of the Party. Their intent to stray away from what is becoming a repetitive sound in hardcore music today shown through with their intense clean vocals and overall tight sound that didn’t rely on chugs, squeals and breakdowns but rather bringing back interesting guitar hooks and fluid drumming.
With all of the great music that was there I cannot pass up the fact that the crowd was the real champion of this festival.
People there were just into the music because they liked it and didn’t care if anyone else did, but they bonded on the fact that everyone else there had the same mindset. People who could still get down and throw their bodies into others then reach a hand down in respect to make sure that person got right back on their feet and kept on having fun.
Such comradery is rarely found out in the world let alone at a festival that most would demonize to make people believe that those in attendance are evil people because they listen to “evil” music.
Well, in my experience that couldn’t be further from the truth and it took me going to this event to see that first hand. So for those looking to bash some bodies and bang some heads come on out to Dirt Fest 2016 in grand ole’ Michigan.
The rock has definitely not left the mitten nor do I think it intends on going anywhere.
