After 13 weekends in a row camping this summer, I wanted to do something only civilization could offer – a movie, a nice restaurant, a museum, and/or live music. The latter had many choices, as usual in Atlanta, but I opted for the closest to home, Boggs Social and Supply for Fuzzstock 4, a mini-festival of garage rock and a handful of crafty and vintage vendors.
I didn’t intend to review the affair, so my photos are limited. Also, I’m a bit rusty in the rock and roll photo department. I’ve reviewed a handful of shows in the last decade (covid, getting old, been there done that, and people live broadcast to social media so it seems pointless) but I wanted to remember these bands and remind myself to get some merch, so here we go.
Mammabear was on stage shortly after I arrived, determined to shake up the handful of people there relatively early. I was reminded of the best parts of Weezer and The Strokes. Punchy, of course a bit fuzzy, energetic yet tight – exactly what I wanted. They’re taking off to the UK in October so if you’re in the neighborhood definitely catch them, and they have a ton of recordings on bandcamp.
Next up, Rae and the Ragdolls. I didn’t get a photo because they weren’t my cup of peppermint tea. The kids were dressed to the nines in their (great?) grandparents’ hippie fashion and had some nice harmonic guitar work, but they didn’t grab me.
I felt like The Pinx have morphed a bit since last I saw. Previously, they leaned a bit more Southern Rock, a la Black Crowes, but more complexity has crept in, sounding a bit like BOC. Or maybe I’m just noticing. Regardless, they looked like they were having a ball doing it.
The festival’s organizer (sorry, didn’t jot down a name or talk to the guy) was in a few acts that evening, including The Buzzards of Fuzz. They kicked off with a tune very reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s One of These Days off Meddle – driving, a bit off kilter, jammy but not noodly. Shades of Fugazi and Man… or Astroman? My only complaint is they only have one full-length, a couple of EPs and a few single tracks, or at least that’s all they list on bandcamp.
Destroyers of Light, out of Texas, were last on the bill but I lacked the gusto to linger. I have to wonder how many people got to see them, as the festival was not as well attended as it should’ve been. There was a lot of rawk for the buck. Boggs has great sound (particularly since the expansion), interesting food offerings, and a fantastic patio.
Get out there, people!
