Today, Goner Records announced the initial lineup for Gonerfest 21, which will take place at Railgarten this September 26th – 29th. Once again the Goner team have managed to craft a roster that’s both historically rich and cutting edge, drawing on bands, MCs, and DJs from around the world.
The festival has always had an international bent, and this year is no different, with performances by African desert blues collective Etran de L’air, Japanese garage punks Angel Face, and Kiwi psyche rockers Bailter Space on the slate, not to mention a reliable Australian contingent, including Split System, Gee Tee, Michael Beach and RFMC.
But the most stellar international artist would have to be Derv Gordon, front man for Swinging London’s now legendary outfit The Equals, back in the ’60s and ’70s, now performing those songs and more with the Bay Area’s So What. The band promises to offer “stompers, hand clappers, and all the riffs that matter” on their Facebook page, and indeed they do, especially when paired with Gordon.
After the young/old outfit’s incendiary appearance at Gonerfest 14 in 2017, The Memphis Flyer wrote:
“So What did a fine job of staying true to the old Equals arrangements, harmonies and all, but with a bigger, louder sound courtesy of Jason Duncan’s Gibson SG through a Marshall. Derv’s voice was in fine shape, from crooning to belting to singalong mode. Most of your favorite Equals tunes were revived and given a new jumpstart by So What: ‘Diversion,’ ‘Police on my Back,’ ‘Michael and his Slipper Tree.’ Of the latter, Derv confessed that it was originally written as a ‘nutmeg tree,’ until Derv himself made the more enigmatic lyrical change. The crowd was revved up, joining the band in nearly every chorus of every song, not satisfied until the encore brought the house down. Clearly Memphis is Equals territory.”
The Rip Offs, also headlining, attained a legendary status of their own in the ’90s with a unique approach sometimes dubbed “budget rock.” Garage rock legends Jon Spencer and the Cheater Slicks were also announced today. Here’s the complete list so far:
The Rip Offs, Derv Gordon and So What, Etran de L’air, Angel Face, Gee Tee, Jon Spencer, Split System, Cheater Slicks, Schitzophonics, Bailter Space, Michael Beach, Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Pull Chains, Tube Alloys, Sleeveens, Th’ Losin Streaks, Sex Mex, RMFC, Feeling Figures.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.
Derv Gordon & So What, Oct 9th, 2017, at the Hi Tone.