Scene+Heard: ‘No Suck Fest’ raises funds

BY SABRINA VELAZQUEZ / Special to the Star-Advertiser

Thanks to the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.com, many creative endeavors across the U.S., including Hawaii bands like Clones of the Queen, GRLFRNDS, and even myself, have been fortunate enough to use the platform to raise funds to support music recording projects.

Now, Hawaii’s music scene is using the site for a whole new purpose — the “No Suck Fest.”

Originally created in 2009 by Kevin from the local Hawaii punk band the Substitoots, the now 10-person team of “No Suck Fest” coordinators is aiming to turn what used to be a one-night show into a two-day festival this July.

The goal: to put Hawaii on the map with a festival that not only features the best in local punk and indie rock, but will include a solid line-up of mainland acts.

In order to help offset band travel costs, the festival’s Kickstarter project is working to raise $2,000 by May 1. This year’s lineup hopes to include mainland acts like Mean Jeans from Portland, Ore., Murderland from Oakland, Calif., Shellshag from New York and the Dopamines from Ohio. “No Suck Fest” will provide supporters of the project with stickers, t-shirts, buttons, festival passes and more, depending on the giving level. Any extra money that is raised will go to cool schwag for festival attendees. Find out more about the “No Suck Fest” fundraising project here.

Hawaii bands are already buzzing about the festival and as a result many of the bands have been playing fundraising shows. The Kickstarter kickoff show featured acts like Red Rocket and Narwhal. Coming up on April 9 at Asterisk is another installment; the show is free but donations are welcome!

For details on future shows, (I hear secret shows might be happening too), be sure to check out the Facebook page for “No Suck Fest.”

‘April Rules Day’

‘No Suck Fest’ benefit concert with GRLFRNDS, Pimpbot, Makua Valley Blast Test, Uvovu & Yeda,
D—ks of Doom, Substitoots, and Itty Bitty Kitty
» Where: Asterisk, Young St. (Contact for exact location)
» When: 7 p.m. April 9 (all ages)
» Cost: Donations welcome
» Info: www.facebook.com/nosuckfest
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Sabrina Velazquez is a singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed “music nerd” who was born and raised in Honolulu. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Velazquez posts every Monday on The Pulse.