You had me at Loin Hammer. That’s gotta be one of the best band names I’ve seen in the last couple years, at least. They’re somewhat thrashier than one might expect given the riffy foundations of many of the other bands, but they’re still called Loin Hammer, which is enough to make it an automatic win if you see them live. Imagine being able to say, “yeah, I’ve seen Loin Hammer.” If you’re the type to get a tattoo, that’d be a good one.

You’ll note return appearances from Merlock, Wizzerd, Swamp Ritual and The Gray Goo from last year’s Rocky Mountain Riff Fest. That says to me that in addition to an all-dayer-plus-pre-show-the-night-before, this is also a party and a reunion of friends. Pulling from the Pacific Northwest, the native Montana underground, Las Vegas and beyond, the lineup looks right on for a killer day of up and coming acts.

I looked back at what I said about the 2022 edition, and my impression was largely the same; it’s an intimate enough event that by the time it’s over everybody is going to know everybody. That kind of thing creates a sense of community which sticks as a defining factor as festivals expand — the return performances slated for 2023 are another element in establishing that — and I don’t know if you’ve ever done an image search to see what Kalispell looks like, but if you’re traveling to this one you will probably not regret booking an extra day just to take in some of the surrounding scenery, which is stunning even in Chamber of Commerce photos.

And, as noted, Loin Hammer will be there. So there’s that.

From socials:

Rocky Mountain Riff Fest 2023

April 22 at Old School Records & Eagles, Kalispell, MT

(free pre-party April 21 at Glacier Park VFW Post 2252)

Very pleased to announce the lineup for this year’s edition of Rocky Mountain Riff Fest!

Epic art by @isaacpasswaterillustration

Lineup April 22:

Tigers on Opium
Sorcia
Sonolith
Grail
Twin Void
Wizzerd
Swamp Ritual
The Gray Goo
Loin Hammer
Lacoro

Pre-Party April 21:

Merlock
Night Witch
Uncommon Evolution

https://www.facebook.com/blackmagickbooking
https://instagram.com/rockymtnrifffest

Tigers on Opium, 503.420.6669.vol.two (2022)

Merlock, Onward Strides Colossus (2023)

Back for its second year and with a fourth day in tow, Ripplefest Texas 2022 confirms its full lineup, a total beast of legends and newcomers. Really, I don’t even know what to say here except that if you’re lucky enough to go, it’s probably the kind of thing you’re going to remember for a long gosh-darn time, and it’s the kind of lineup that serves as lording-over fodder on the part of those who were there to those who weren’t. Well, at least it would if the heavy underground weren’t too cool to each other for that kind of gatekeeping nonsense. In any case, this looks like a massive undertaking to put on, and the roster of assembled acts gets a hearty ‘fucking a’ from my corner of the universe.

Tickets for all four days will run you $150, but I feel like the festival earns that on both quality and quantity of product.

Here’s the announcement, info and links:

RIPPLE FEST TEXAS – The Far Out Lounge – July 21-24

4-day passes available now!

RippleFest Texas 2022 is back and the lineup is as big and hot as Texas itself! 4 days of blistering hot music at Austin’s premier music venue The Far Out Lounge. There will be everything from crushing heavy riffs, to acoustic and banjo picking, to improvisation jam sessions and puppet shows! So many legends and great music that this will be a 4 day weekend you will not want to miss!

TICKETS:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thefaroutloungestage/639551

FULL LINEUP:
Eagles of Death Metal, The Sword, Crowbar, Mothership, Big Business, The Obsessed, Stöner, Spirit Adrift, The Heavy Eyes, Sasquatch, REZN, Fatso Jetson, Heavy Temple, J.D. Pinkus, Lord Buffalo, Lo-Pan, Wino, El Perro, Void Vator, Hippie Death Cult, Howling Giant, Doctor Smoke, Nick Oliveri, High Desert Queen, Destroyer of Light, Ape Machine, High Priestess, Dryheat, Rubber Snake Charmers, Sun Crow, Holy Death Trio, Bone Church, Horseburner, Spirit Mother, Thunder Horse, Mother Iron Horse, The Age of Truth, Salem’s Bend, Las Cruces, All Souls, Kind, Fostermother, The Absurd, Godeye, Ole English, Mr. Plow, Snake Mountain Revival, Blue Heron, Grail, Formula 400, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, Eagle Claw, Bridge Farmers.

The Far Out Lounge is located at 8504 South Congress. Winner of Best New Venue at the Austin Music Awards 2020.

http://www.thefaroutaustin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ripplefesttexas
https://www.facebook.com/LOMSProductions/
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://www.instagram.com/ripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/

Lo-Pan, Live at the Grog Shop, Cleveland, Ohio, Feb 18, 2022

Some anticipated news this Tuesday afternoon as Mothership join the lineup for the inaugural Ripplefest Texas. Not only are they a flagship band of Ripple Music, and not only are they among the most favored sons of the Lonestar State as regards heavy rock and roll, but they posted on the social medias last week that their first show announcement in more than a year would be coming today, and, well, Tuesday is when the Ripplefest Texas 2021 reveals have been happening. The pieces all fit.

Joining Mothership and the rest of the was-slammed-as-it-was bill for the Aug. 7 doings are Grail from Arizona. As to whether or not that’s everybody who will play, it depends entirely on what Lick of My Spoon Productions/Ripple mean when they say “more surprises to announce.” Though really, if they called it a fest as it is, they’ve done a hell of a job pulling something out of thin air, and it’s been refreshing looking forward to the announcements for a festival.

You going? I may yet:

Texas Ripplefest ain’t complete without Mothership. We have also added Grail and still have more surprises to announce. We also want to thank @worshipercabinets for getting involved to make sure everything sounds amazing! Get your tickets now! Ripple Music and Lick Of My Spoon Productions present the 1st Annual RippleFest Texas, August 7th at Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas.

Previously announced: Freedom Hawk, Scott “Wino” Weinrich, High Desert Queen, Fostermother, Void Vator, Bone Church, Witchcryer, Holy Death Trio, Howling Giant, Forming the Void, Mr. Plow, Thunder Horse, and Switchblade Jesus!!!

Bring a swimsuit and swim on the beach at Texas Ski Ranch while listening to music from the hottest label in the business: Ripple Music!

Tickets are available through the link on the FB page. Tickets: www.outhousetickets.com/Event/m17387-Ripplefest_Texas

Get yours now as more bands will be announced because it WILL SELL OUT!

https://www.facebook.com/events/293941965680685
https://www.facebook.com/LOMSProductions/
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://www.instagram.com/ripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/

Mothership, Live in Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2019