Popfest, exhaustion, and the triumph of Black Kids

How do I spell exhaustion?

P-O-P-F-E-S-T.

Athens Popfest is drawing to a close, with only tonight's performances at 40 Watt to go. How I Became the Bomb and Velcro Stars were quite good on Thursday night, and Friday saw a rare and fun set from Marbles at Little Kings. The lineup at 40 Watt last night was absolutely killer -- highlights for me were Ideal Free Distribution, Thee American Revolution, The Postmarks, Tullycraft, Casper & the Cookies, and Circulatory System. IFD and Thee American Revolution were better than I could have hoped, and seeing Tullycraft play "8 Great Ways" and "Wild Bikini" in person was a treat. What a night...

Velcro Stars - Brand New
How I Became the Bomb - Secret Identity
Ideal Free Distribution - Apples and Oranges
Tullycraft - 8 Great Ways
Tullycraft - Wild Bikini

Today's day shows at Little Kings were highlighted (for me) by a great set from Black Kids, who now have a whole new legion of fans in Athens, GA.



Black Kids are from Jacksonville, Florida, and play an energetic sort of punk-tinged dance rock. Think something like an '80s synth-rock band with occasional doo-wop harmonies and wit to spare. They have their moody moments, but they're too tongue-in-cheek to lump them with the mope-rock crowd. They gave away copies of their EP, so here are a few tracks:

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You
Black Kids - Hurricane Jane
Black Kids - I Wanna Be Your Limousine

The night ahead includes Fishboy, Bunnygrunt, Cars Can Be Blue, Dark Meat, Elekibass, and Daniel Johnston. Here's hoping I don't pass out before it's all over.