By Morgan Y. Evans
“Cocaine is for pussies. Meltasia is my drug and I got plenty to go around,” proclaims Andy Animal. The popular party host, swell guy, underground taste maker and Yankee Candle enthusiast has perhaps created his best event yet. Meltasia Music Festival 2014 in LaFayette, Georgia is going to be a must attend end of Summer/early Fall garage, psych rock and punk bash of tremendous import for the dawn of a better tomorrow. Or at least a sweet ass party.
Andy Animal’s meltdown parties started as the natural progression of the wild nights and inspiring rock sermons he would host as frontman for the sensational NYC rock band Stalkers. A mostly friendly and semi-private series of Upstate, NY camping/rock parties has grown far beyond the original campfire fun. I guess since the first Melt had a police helicopter break it up years ago, word of mouth was inevitable.
“Meltasia is the rock n roll pow wow of the year,” says Brian Hurd of blues punk shouters Daddy Long Legs, one of the best live bands in the world today. “It’s all about seeing our pals come together to have a good time. I’ve been helping put these parties on from the beginning so it’s cool to see it grow into something bigger. Andy’s wheels are always turning so you never know whats gonna happen next.”
With heavy connections to the best talent in some of America’s most creative hubs, an insane line-up that includes everyone from grimy metal bands like Lecherous Gaze to rock n roll royalty like Cherie Currie of the Runaways to Nik Turner’s Hawkwind to the eccentric and theatrical Quintron & Miss Pussycat or red hot rock heroes The Black Lips, there is something for everyone. I can’t even begin to imagine the insanity that will go down.
“Thanks to our good friends down at Orange Amps, Terrapin Beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon & Die Slaughterhaus Records, we have been able to reduce the prices of
the 1 & 2 day passes,” says Animal.
Vendors, art installations, swimming, bathrooms, showers. Meltasia has it all and is also an incredible steal with truly reasonable ticket prices and not a drop of crappy EDM to be found.
Mackenzie Green from Nashville pure rock n roll rippers Birdcloud lent us her thoughts on the affair. “Well, anything Andy Animal puts together is gonna be a good fuckin time. Meltasia is gonna be like sxsw but without all the shit you didn’t wanna see,” Mackenzie chimed. “Little baby Woodstock in Georgia. Stoked to camp, party n play!!”
It was a trip to get to talk to respected wise man George Hughen from hard rock legends Black Oak Arkansas for this here little piece. I used to hunt their vinyl at thrift shops in Upstate, NY (along with Grand Funk Records) on a semi-regular basis.
“We are excited about The Meltasia show,” George told me. “There are a lot of bands on the show I have not heard before, so I’m looking foward to hearing some of them. I just want everyone to know we are showing up to rock n roll, so bring your party feet. we love doing shows with the Andi Ani Male, so we will see you in September.”
Meltasia.com has the full list of participating bands and ticket info. Get your party gear and duds ready and I will see y’all there.
www.meltasia.com
www.facebook.com/meltasiafest
twitter.com/Meltasiafest
instagram.com/meltasia
