Miami's always had good punk rock, even when the rest of the U.S. didn't know it.
Our city's punk scene has been world class since the mid '70s and the Magic City's actually developed a sound of its own, steeped in tropical sludge and sun-bleached scuzz.
That's why 305 Fest has been able to ramble on for about a decade now, in one incarnation or another, putting forth an annual deluge of homegrown bands peppered with out-of-towners.
See also: Miami's 20 Best Punk Bands of All Time
Amanda "Boots" Castillo -- one of this year's 305 Fest organizers, along with No Work Records' Bogdan -- has high hopes for the four-day, five-venue, 57-band punxtravaganza.
"The expectation is to showcase what's new and upcoming in the Miami and Florida DIY scene," she says, "as well as have Miami heavy hitters and classics who have played the fest in the past, all with the help of some out-of-state friends."
This year's event will also incorporate the neighborhoods in which punk rock thrives by throwing shows at classic clubs and unlikely spots within the parameters of downtown Miami and Little Haiti.
As Castillo explains: "This year, I really wanted to push it to be in different parts of Miami, so that the people who come can experience that."
Of course, the most important seals of approval for 305 Fest come from longtime Miami punkers and other notable members of South Florida's musical community. Like artist and Holly Hunt drummer, Beatriz Monteavaro, who says: "I love 305 Fest. This will be the fourth time I play it. The first time being 2010 with Beings. Two years ago, we got to play alongside Noothgrush, Dropdead and Black Mayonnaise -- that was pretty unreal."
Also a former member of legendary Miami metal outfit Floor, Monteavaro has been an avid supporter of locals and live music for decades. And in her estimation, this festival has always brought the hometown scene together. "Last year was a bit more DIY-based, and we saw a lot of sick bands. Everyone was so passionate and friendly, it was like an extended DIY community," she says. "We can't wait for this year. We are either friends with or have played on tour with many of the out-of-town bands. Playing 305 Fest is like a family reunion that way!"
Bogdan, however, reveals "this year's 305 Fest was very close to not happening." Yet he, Boots, and the crew were determined and they pushed on, despite a lack of certain resources.
"The idea to organize it came to us on a late night in July at Churchill's. Me, Raul, Juan, and Nikolas spontaneously started talking about it and we were quick to decide to do it. Boots joined, along with David Green who had just moved back to Miami - he organized it in the past and used to run Fresh Fest in Tallahassee."
For a couple of reasons, the 2014 mix of bands is decidedly more Florida-centric this time around. "The difference between this year and the last two editions, mainly, is that we couldn't go for national bands," Bogdan explains. "We didn't have the time, nor funds, to bring many out-of-state bands. But our friends in Knife Hits and Backslider from Philadelphia were stoked to come down, along with Empty Vessels from Connecticut, Act of Impalement from Tennessee, and Uninhabitable from North Carolina."
Proving that girls rule and boys drool, Bogdan initially wanted to keep things concentrated in Churchill's, "Boots had the idea to spread the venues around downtown." Many of those "venues" are also people's homes so he cautions for fest-goers to exercise respect to the homeowners/dwellers, "they accept us in their home so there is no need to trash it."
He closes with what will surely become the festival's rallying cry in the future: "It's not a real 305 Fest if Consular doesn't play! The band that never will break up!"
Thursday, December 18
As part of the Degeneration party. Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave, Miami; 305-377-2277; grandcentralmiami.com. Three-day festival pass costs $20 and single-day tickets cost $8 via 305fest2014.bigcartel.com. Ages 18 and up.
7:30 p.m. Gun Hoes
8:00 p.m. Street Judge
8:30 p.m. Wastelands
9:00 p.m. FTVM
9:30 p.m. Suicide Ritual
10:00 p.m. Desgraciadas
10:30 p.m. Autarx
11:00 p.m. Sacridose
11:30 p.m. Reapermanser
12:00 a.m. Violently High 12:00
12:30 p.m. Webcam Teens
1:00 p.m. Landbridge
1:30 p.m. Black Jail
See also: Miami's Ten Best Metal Bands of All Time
Friday, December 19
Palacio de los Jugos, 256 NW 53rd St., Miami. Three-day festival pass costs $20 and single-day tickets cost $8 via 305fest2014.bigcartel.com. Ages 18 and up.
5:00 p.m. Sponge
5:30 p.m. Bulletproof Tiger
6:00 p.m. Treasure Teeth
6:30 p.m. Sadie Hawkins
Friday, December 19
The Cave, 164 NW 20th St., Suite 666, Miami. Three-day festival pass costs $20 and single-day tickets cost $8 via 305fest2014.bigcartel.com. Ages 18 and up.
8:00 p.m. Cold Waste
8:30 p.m. Fevers
9:00 p.m. Snakehole
9:30 p.m. Empty Vessels
10:00 p.m. Holly Hunt
10:30 p.m. Blast and Detergents
11:00 p.m. Wage Slave
11:30 p.m. Homestretch
12:00 a.m. Ex Breathers
12:30 a.m. Consular
Saturday, December 20
Pancake Fest: Breakfast and Bands. GUH, 509 NW 41st St., Miami. Three-day festival pass costs $20 and single-day tickets cost $8 via 305fest2014.bigcartel.com. Ages 18 and up.
12:00 p.m. Neuter
12:30 p.m. Besito Negro
1:00 p.m. Bishop Sleeve
2:00 p.m. I Don't Wanna Do That
2:30 p.m. Uninhabitable
3:00 p.m. I'm An Intestine
Saturday, December 20
Sweat Records, 5505 NE Second Ave., Miami; 786-693-9309; sweatrecordsmiami.com. Three-day festival pass costs $20 and single-day tickets cost $8 via 305fest2014.bigcartel.com. Ages 18 and up.
5:00 p.m. Silent Authority
5:30 p.m. Bruiser
6:00 p.m. Neat Freak
6:30 p.m. Act of Impalement
7:00 p.m. False Punk
7:30 p.m. Wet Nurse
Saturday, December 20
Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com. Three-day festival pass costs $20 and single-day tickets cost $8 via 305fest2014.bigcartel.com. Ages 18 and up.
8:00 p.m. Awkward Kisser
8:30 p.m. Allergy
9:00 p.m. Permanent Makeup
9:30 p.m. Ironing
10:00 p.m. Nunhex
10:30 p.m. Backslider
11:00 p.m. Dimpast
11:30 p.m. Knife Hits
12:00 a.m. Devalued
12:30 a.m. Vermin
1:00 a.m. Gross
1:30 a.m. Shitstorm
Sunday, December 21
Post 305 Fest Show. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com. Admission is free. Ages 18 and up.
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