SBAM FEST (WELS, 30.05.2025.-31.05.2025.) - REPORT

 This years SBAM fest took place in a lovely small town of Wels in the upper Austria. Last two days of May, hot as hell, a few of us decided to go spend a long weekend at a small festival. After a 6 hour drive we came just a few minutes before the first band.

The festival took place at ALTER SCHLACHTHOF WELS, a free and open cultural space that is like an old industrial property, with an indoor and an outdoor stage. 

First band for us was well known CF98, they played indoor stage and it was full house! Just 24 hours before they have released their new song, so they were happy, fun and made us dance. A perfect way to start this two day party!

KRANG took over at the outdoor stage, ripped it out and played a great gig! I would love to see them play again with some shade and without a heat stroke... Rory Gilmore had me fight off the stroke, jumping up and down like a maniac!

And then, THE biggest surprise and the biggest discovery for me: VICTORY KID! It is one of those bands that once you hear live you fall in love with! Mix of ska, punk rock, pop punk...their sound and their energy are like the early Caddies. I was blown away! And now I am a fan!

Next for me was one of the bands that had my heart for over two decades, but never had a pleasure seeing them play live: SAVE FERRIS! I was hypnotized for the first half of the show. Monique and the band didn't stop for a minute. Even though it was middle afternoon, hot as hell, she just kept on going! They played all the hits, made us sweat, made us dance, made us sing! It was one of the best gigs at this festival! Looking forward to seeing them soon...

After their gig it was meet and greet with the band, of course I had to!!! And I did. And it was a highlight of the festival for me! To meet a woman I admire and love so much, have loved for 20 years... Priceless!

And just like that it was time for one of my favourite bands: ZEBRAHEAD! As always, they delivered THE best show of the festival if you ask me! Fun, fast, bar at the stage, the CREW...oh, the crew!!! Over an hour of non stop jumping, nuclear energy, fun, singalong, floaties... Thank you boys for that cardio workout! Some of my friends never saw them live and after this I think they are fans!!! You're welcome!

So, at this point we had to catch some air and cool of. It was time for MILLENCOLIN. I know you will hate me for this, but never the less, as always they did nothing for me. Excellent, but lacking that connection with the fans. That didn't stop us from having fun...

The second day I was looking forward to seeing HEATHCLIFF. Again, the heat and lack of shade ruined it a bit for me, as it was 32 degrees outside.

THE ATARIS were great, but I had to get of the sun at that point, so I listened from the distance...

And than it was time for meet and greet with the SPIKE AND THE GIMME GIMMES. I expected it to be crowded, but it was just a handful of fans. So I met the Gimmes, had a chat with them, head out to the bar, had myself a beer and off to see PUNK ROCK FACTORY. First time for me, I was blown  away with how great they are, fast, melodic, those guys ripped that stage.

And then...the one, the only, SPIKE AND THE GIMME GIMMES! What to say about them that I haven't already said? Over an hour of nothing but smiles, singing and dancing. Spike, as always, was having fun on the stage, communicating with the crowd, doing what he does the best - being the showman! And just like that, two day festival ended...

And it was fun. And it was just enough!

Over all, I had fun. Best things were the friends I was with, and then a few I've met there. But one thing I must say, and I don't know if the reason is that I am spoiled by that one other festival, or what, but it was lacking the vibe, the feeling, the love, the respect for each other. No sense of community, togetherness. And for me punk is all about that! I am used to not being pushed, being beaten in the first row on purpose just because... All of the crew was nice, guys and girls at the bars were great. Security was kind and gentle. And I know what you will say - hey, it's a festival. Well, yes, it is, but as I said, I am spoiled and used to feeling safe and loved and I guess I just have to remind myself next time not to expect to feel like that...

In conclusion - great line up, fun weekend! Thank you SBAM for having me...

Written by I.