PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY 2.2: Family reunion

 PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY 2.2: Family reunion

It's been a long 3 years, but it finally happened! Punk rock holiday – same place, same time, some new people but mostly familiar faces, the FAMILY!

But let's start at the beginning...

First of all I must warn you: when it comes to PRH I am not and can't be objective! I live for it through out the year, it's the planing and dreaming about that 5 days next year what makes me sane. So don't expect to read any dirt or negativity, as for me this is, was and always will be the best festival in the world: it's all about love, music, friends, family...the unity! The feeling of belonging! Where there are no boundaries, no fences. Where everyone is as one, on and of stage. Where the crowd literally caries bands and where bands play of stage in the crowd, where the bands crowdsurf while playing, and sometimes can't be seen from all the fans on stage... And it all happens under the supervision of the best security crew ever!

It was PRH 1.1 and 1.2 that had me because of the lineup, but since 1.3 it's all about that feeling you get when you reunite with the people you love and haven't seen for a while- The lineup you know is going to be awesome, no matter what!

We arrived on Monday around noon, unpacked and went to the festival, as I couldn't wait to see and hug all those familiar faces. As I approached the festival area my excitement went through the roof. The scenery, that sweet smell of wood chips and beer – I was finally home!

We came just in time for THE COOL TRICK, a melodic punk band. And with them playing their „Punk rock holiday“ it was the perfect way to open this years festival, as it made it all real. This shit is realy happening!!!

After them BIKE AGE played, also melodic punk band, and just the way I like it, and then CHUMP. This was the first time hearing them and I loved it. Bought some CHUMP CDs – it is to be listened to...

Then went to AMERICAN SOCKS – THE REAL MCKENZIES ACOUSTIC, and back to main stage to SPIDER...those first few hours I was like a kid in a toy store...wanted to see everything and be everywhere...it was crazy...I was crazy happy! This was my drug! ...at this point my friends gave up on me, as they couldn't follow my madness!

THE REAL MCKENZIES at the main stage made us dance our asses of with now more or less usual set list. Got to see more than we asked for (regarding less under the kilt). They are old punks, played many times - just right for the day zero to unroll...

And then – IGNITE! I realy love those guys. I have seen them so many times and I just can't get enough of them! After Zoli leaving I was sceptical, but let me tell you Mr. ELI SANTANA as the new singer is a shot of adrenaline! That energy...he explodes on stage! This was one of the best IGNITE shows for me. It gave me goosebumps! As the crowd went from crazy to insane, opening with Who sold out now?, they played mostly old stuff like Poverty for all, Bleeding, Let it burn, Sunday bloody Sunday and some new like Anti-Complicity anthem, but we all came together on LIVE FOR BETTER DAYS.  Singalong...Unity kicks in! 

DESCENDENTS closed the main stage for the day, as good as always. Everything sucks, Silly girl, Sailor choice, I'm not a punk, Suburban home, Smile – and the heat was on! One after the other...all the best ones, and the best way to finish the warm up day.

Day 1. The second day for some. I decided to go and hear all of the beach stage bands, but...

I ran in to some friends I haven't seen since the shit called COVID started and we went for a drink, and one thing lead to another and...well,  I came down to the beach just in time for the DEADENDS and SPACED. I was looking forward seeing DEADENDS and they didn't disappoint! Great bend – their time is jet to come! Slowly we dragged up to the main stage area where I was excited to see NO TRRIGER. Melodic skate punk, great interaction with the crowd, great playing live – this is one of my this years gems!

Next were GET DEAD. A combo of punk, ska, reggae with a rusty vocal – UNREAL!!! Didn't listen to them much before, but that is about to change now! 

AUTHORITY ZERO, COMEBACK KID and NO FUN AT ALL I saw before and knew what to expect. Not much to say about these guys but respect. I knew they will be awesome, but somehow it seemed even better, maybe because everybody was thirsty for live shows and it made them ignite on stage. As the night was coming to an end, most of the family went back to the camp or home, but a bunch of us, intoxicated with everything around PRH went to the after party and partied till 4 am. We didn't wanna go home...as if we weren't gonna see each other in a few hours.

And so the Wednesday came, day 2. and again I had the best intentions to see every single beach stage band, but somehow came just in time for the COOKIE BREAK, NOFNOG and DIRECT HIT. I've never heard any of them so I had no expectations. But OMG – DIRECT HIT!!! I fell in love with this band! Such energy! They killed it!!! Great energy live, great interaction with the crowd, rehearsed, fun...I think main stage is waiting for them!

After them I was so high on the feeling, so I went back up to see MISCONDUCT at the acoustic stage and then to the main stage. THE FLATLINERS and  BOUNCING SOULS prepared our vocal cords and sore muscles for LAGWAGON. The set list was as if I wrote it. Mr. Caper left his vocal cords and heart on stage as did all of them. Years didn't slow them down...respect! As FLOGGING MOLLY opened with Drunken lullabies the crowed exploded! Leading us through the set list and finishing with The seven deadly sins I was drained! It really was the cherry on the top for the evening. 

Leaving the main stage wanting more, there was nothing else to do but to refill my cup and start the best party, the after party, the DIRTY SKUNKS party! Dancing like crazy until 4 am and not wanting to go home...well done boys!

As it was already morning, sleep was not an option. I rested for a couple of hours and the Thursday was on. Day 3. 

While drinking my morning coffee I tried to prepare for the interviews I had later that day, but at some point lack of sleep came to bite me in the ass. So I took a cold shower and decided to go to the beach. Took a drink on the way to the beach and set down on the sand in the shade, listened to the beach stage bends. At some point went back up, did the interview and ran back down to catch THE DECLINE as I was really looking forward seeing them. But sleep deprived I really couldn't do anything but breathe at at that moment. Never the less, they were great, one of my „gem findings“ this year. Went and did the second interview for the day, after which I bought myself one of those XXL drinks and started to heal...So I went back to see MAKEWAR just in time as they were finishing their set. Sorry I didn't get to hear more from them as I really liked what I did hear.

Maine stage was opened by THE BABOON SHOW. Miss Cecilia and her unchained energy kept everyone hypnotized. The crowd loved them!!! Wow! Great energy, great band. Reminder: I have a homework to do when it comes to these guys and girls...

MISCONDUCT took over and did a great set. Everybody went nuts as they started playing Bro hymn by PENNYWISE. These guys are no strangers to PRH and something tells me we will be seeing them again...

As ZEBRAHEAD was about to hit the stage I was excited because I never ever got to see them live and I really loved those guys for years. First thing first – they had a bar at the stage! That was the first...HUGE RESPECT! And accordingly, they had so much fun on stage. This for me was one of the best shows this year. With the new singer Adrian came new and refreshing energy. Kick ass show! Happiness...that was the feeling! And with that feeling I was ready for my all time favourite band...MAD CADDIES! I've seen them more times than I can remember, but this show was bitter-sweet for me. Sweet because I finally got to see them again, and bitter because it was just Chuck...no Eddie, no Sasha...no rest of the caddies. But still. He made us cry, he made us laugh and he made us dance and sing. And it just had to be enough. And it was! It was different, but anyways...as they were finishing of with The Mary Melody bringing the atmosphere to the boiling, leaving us ready for the main thing that evening. THE INTERRUPTERS! I've been dreaming to see them for years, and now here they are! As they started i couldn't move. I was paralyzed. Just stood there, watching mesmerized, in love, wowed, intoxicated, speechless...WHAT A BAND! They are like a well oiled machine... Miss Aimee – so lovely, so petite, but such a voice! She sung and danced and ran from one end to another...she is a little dynamite! Didn't stop for a minute...and neither did big bosses behind. It was so heartwarming seeing Andrej, Niko and Klara so happy. They deserved it...all of it... And The Interrupters – I've loved them so far, but now I have a whole new level of respect for them! They lived up to everyone’s expectation! No man standing – that is the best description of their show! They played all the hits, including This is my family, She got arrested, She's kerosene and also the BED RELIGION Sorrow, and sort of payed their respect and made a tribute to the legends for not being able to join us this year. 

As usual – after party, 4 am, no sleep, and the last day has come – sneaked upon us...Friday. Sad day. Even the sky was crying.

The last day. This is it...

It was pouring that day, and as I was set to do the interview that day I decided not to let the rain stop me. By the time I came to the festival area I was soaking wet! But I didn't care. It was the last day. Axes could have been falling, nothing could stop me! So I did what I came to do and then wandered through the festival area, waiting for the American socks to open, as I had no more dry socks on me. A friend came up with some plastic bags to put on my feet, I grabbed some dry socks and at that point I was ready to go.

First band – CHASER. I heard them in 2018. on beach stage and was left speechless! Then and there I knew they were meant for the bigger things, for the main stage. And so, here they are! They owned the stage, they owned us! Guys left their hearts on that stage, and they got mine in return!

BELVEDERE was next. Canadian legends showed us that they still got it. Fast, melodic, they were one of my favourites.  And than ANTI-FLAG. They set the place on fire. As I've seen them a few times before I must say that I expected a bit more (as they raised the bar themselves high...), but never the less, it was a hell of a show! 

CIRCLE JERKS could have played more, talked less...but anyhow. Respect to those guys! Played 30something songs...

The last band for the last evening it was supposed to be BAD RELIGION, but they had to cancle their tour due to family emergency. And for a few days rumors went around saying BR will be replaced with Wilhelm scream or even Dubioza kolektiv...

But what happened was even better in some way. PIGS PARLAMENT happened! These guys and a girl were here for every PRH, every year. It all ends with them. Their karaoke parties are legendary!!! So it was a natural way of ending this celebratory edition of PRH.  And they rocked the main stage! Gave us the great ending. There was a cake, a speech...

The moment Andrej and Niko stepped on that stage and gave that speech...my eyes teared up hearing Andrej say: WE ARE STAYING IN TOLMIN! I am emotional when it comes to Punk Rock Holiday and Tolmin, since I've been here for each and every one, watching it rise, mature, becoming what it is today: the best fucking festival in the world! And I am so proud to be a part of this crazy, loving, caring and fun family for so long.

With that said, here it is – I wish us all another 10 summers together, at least!

Happy birthday PRH!

Love you all and see ya next year (if not sooner...) my dear family!

Written by I.