Revelry and Reunions: Atlanta Mess-Around 2011

Written by Jhoni Jackson

Less than a week after the Atlanta Mess-Around, someone posted a flier in Little Five Points that listed three days worth of fake bands. Among the “Shitty Local Bar presents” highlights: “Ironic Bearded Assholes,” “Cutesy Couple You Can’t Stand,” “Asshole Vocalist and The Four Dudes That Hate Him” and “Lost Without a Set List.” Despite the timing, you can’t read this as a direct insult. But still, the hardly witty jab incites a little frustration—especially if you saw it while still recovering from the Atlanta Mess-Around.

Honestly, the Mess-Around makes me damn proud to live in Atlanta. Damon Hare of Triple D’s and Jesse Smith of Gentleman Jesse (among other bands) were at the helm this year, and they built on the fest’s growing tradition of reuniting seminal bands for headliners, showcasing notable acts that hail from all over and spotlighting deserving local outfits.

COPS

This third go ‘round, the Atlanta roster featured returning bands like Customers, Predator and GG King, plus The Clap and Turf War. Smith’s new band COPS, a pummeling, more traditionally punk rock offering than his other outlets, kicked off the fest. Out-of-town bands like the noisy, spacey K-Holes (whose members are almost all former Atlantans), Austin’s hooky Bad Sports, rough-and-tumble girly trio Midnite Snaxxx and the jokey Personal and the Pizzas were timely, well-picked additions.

Personal & the Pizzas

Deviations from the expected, however, like New Orleans’ bred blues-rock from the animated Guitar Lightnin’ Lee and ‘60s pop throwback sets from Shannon and the Clams and Hunx and His Punx, were refreshing. The Mess-Around is generally a niche festival for folks who really, really like punk rock and its derivatives, but those elements gave the weekend a touch of universal appeal. I mean, how can you not be entertained by Hunx’ Seth Bogart? While wearing a thong covered only by strategically-slashed tights, he complained about nagging diarrhea to the crowd. Maybe entertained isn’t the appropriate word, but his antics certainly weren’t boring.

Hunx & His Punx

Atlanta’s own Subsonics granted the fest a rare performance, and Oblivians took time away from Goner Records and the Reigning Sound to mend, albeit briefly, the gaping holes they left in the hearts of ‘90s garage fans. Testors dusted off their gear a set of their late-‘70s originals, which was almost as pristine as ringleader Sonny Vincent’s looks. (I’m pretty sure he’s been injected with a revised, consequence-free version of the potion in Death Becomes Her.) Though Vincent never stopped making music and the band played a warm-up show in New York a week earlier, had it not been for the Mess-Around, younger fans of old-school punk rock (me, for instance) probably wouldn’t have seen them live—ever.

Oblivians

After a weekend of incredible performances and constant displays of the good-time camaraderie between Atlanta’s punk rock players and fans, I’m dead sure of this: Whoever made that crappy poster has never been to the Mess-Around.

Photo Credit: Tim Song