Posted in Whathaveyou on May 5th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
With no Desertfest New York this year (and, let’s face it, maybe not next year either), I don’t have the luxury I’ve enjoyed throughout the 2020s thus far of consoling myself at missing Ripplefest Texas by seeing some of the same acts coming through without having to fly out to do it. Not so much this year. In unveiling its full lineup for this September, Ripplefest Texas 2025 lays out an absolute dream of a bill — from Weedeater to Suplecs to Mothership to Author and Punisher (new record by then?) to Sundrifter and Mr. frickin’ Plow and Lake Lake — it’s the most imperative US festival lineup I’ve seen pretty much since Ripplefest Texas last year.
I’ve never been to Ripplefest Texas and it’s been over 15 years since the last time I set foot in Austin, but I’d be there in a hot minute for this one. Gonna start a GoFundMe for the flight and lodging (more likely, beg my wife). If you get there, congratulations on your life.
Check out the new adds and the full lineup below. It’s a beautiful thing:
The best family reunion of the year is back! The lineup for RippleFest Texas 2025 is now complete and you will not want to miss your chance to see the best music at the friendliest festival in the world. Lick of My Spoon Productions brings you the only open air festival in the US with ABSOLUTELY ZERO BAND OVERLAPPING! New bands added to an already stacked lineup are ASG, Author & Punisher, Mondo Generator, High Desert Queen, Bronco, Rainbows Are Free, The Absurd, Volume, Gran Moreno, Karma Vulture, and Desert Suns.
The festival will once again be held at The Far Out Lounge and Sagebrush in Austin, TX on September 18-21, 2025. Get your tickets now at www.lickofmyspoon.com.
Full List of Bands: Weedeater Whores. Mothership Author & Punisher Mondo Generator ASG Unida Wo Fat Valley of the Sun Left Lane Cruiser High Desert Queen Mos Generator Telekinetic Yeti Human Impact Mountain of Smoke Thunder Horse Suplecs Kind Bronco Sundrifter Rainbows Are Free Fostermother Mr. Plow Kupa Pities Luna Sol Shun Gran Moreno Stone Nomads Volume The Absurd Desert Suns Karma Vulture Lake Lake Sons of Gulliver
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 31st, 2025 by JJ Koczan
My understanding is that at some point in the between-now-and-September, the full lineup of Ripplefest Texas 2025 is going to be laid out in a nice, orderly, day-split-style fashion. I don’t doubt it, but that’s not what this is. If you caught the update from the Austin-based festival last week, you know they’ve started a round of daily adds, and so this is a weekly catchup. The second one, as it happens. It’s the one with Wo Fat and Suplecs in it, which to be sure are distinguishing features.
Mr. Plow, whose pretense-free heavy rock charm springs eternal, as well as punkers Lake Lake from Ohio, and the duo Sons of Gulliver. Maybe I’ll sneak one more in here — Stone Nomads! The Kupa Pities! — before it’s posted. I’m traveling so it’s kind of complicated timing-wise.
In any case, you’re perfectly capable of hitting up the Ripplefest Texas socials if you want to get a sense right now immediately of the full lineup as it stands. It’s rad. We’ll get there.
For now:
RIPPLEFEST TEXAS 2025 – NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: SUPLECS
Hailing from New Orleans, and formed in 1996, Suplecs has been a power trio force to be recon with in the stoner rock community. Consisting of Danny Nick (former EYEHATEGOD), Durel Yates, and Andrew Preen, Suplecs released their first album “Wrestlin With My Lady Friend” on Frank Kozik’s famous Man’s Ruin Records in 2000 produced by Danny’s EYEHATEGOD bandmate Jimmy Bower. Their sophomore effort “Sad Songs, Better Days” would be released the following year again by Man’s Ruin Records and produced by Dave Fortman, then rereleased in 2002 after the demise of Frank Kozik’s home for all things heavy.
Their music has been featured on TV shows such as “Dog The Bounty Hunter” and “MTV’s Fun Factory.” Age, marriage, children, business ventures, and divorce all played roles in the members of Suplecs lives over the last decade. 2025 will mark the 25th Anniversary of Suplecs Annual Mardi Gras show in New Orleans that has become a staple for over 500 people every year. In early 2024, Suplecs decided to write new material after many years of “playing the hits” from their early releases. With all that has transpired in their lives, Suplecs is currently finishing up writing on their fifth album which promises to be a culmination of previous efforts with more raw heaviness and age old swagger than some of their earlier works.
We are excited to have these legends performing this year. It’s a live show you won’t want to miss!
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: LAKE LAKE
Lake Lake is a glimmer of hope in a sea of black hoodies. A noisy near death dance party in a world of folded arms.
“I saw this band a few years ago and wondered why everybody else didn’t know this band. Then when I listened to their new record I had to get them to RippleFest Texas. They were actually the first band I booked for 2025.” -Ryan Garney, Lick of My Spoon Productions
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: MR. PLOW
For over 25 years, Mr. Plow from Houston, Texas, has thrilled listeners with their original brand of heavy rock. Taking musical inspiration from heavy 1990s bands (like Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Melvins, Clutch, Helmet, Quicksand, and others) and lyrical inspiration from popular culture and novels (particularly those of Kurt Vonnegut), Mr. Plow self-released 3 albums: Head On (2000); Cockfights and Pony Racin’ (2004); and Asteroid 25399 (2006). Mr. Plow then signed with Ripple Music and released their fourth album, Maintain Radio Silence, in August 2018 (a mere 12 years after their last release). Mr. Plow is currently working on material for a new album, which will hopefully be released sometime before 2030.
Mr. Plow consists of Justin Waggoner (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Stone (guitar, vocals), Cory Cousins (drums, vocals), and Gabe Katz (bass, vocals).
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: SONS OF GULLIVER
Since their first single “Desert Boogie” in 2023, Texas drum ‘n bass duo Sons of Gulliver has been releasing a steady stream of tunes and gigging across Texas, honing their brand of beefy, booty-shaking stoner metal. It all culminated in their debut self-titled EP released in May 2024, on which Justin Potter and Dolphin Riot explode forth with a ferocious exuberance and knack for gigantic grooves. Sons of Gulliver’s potent combo of pulverizing tone and swinging rhythms recalls The Midnight Ghost Train and Clutch at its heaviest, and Potter’s earthy growls add a primal edge that hammers it all home. This boogie van has longhorns on its grill and Mad Max at the wheel.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: WO-FAT
While Wo Fat may be speaking a familiar language to the apostles of the riff, there isn’t anyone that sounds quite like them.
Wo Fat’s journey slinging their Texas-sized psychedelic blues doom began in 2006 with their first album The Gathering Dark, and the swampadelic visionquest of overdriven, fuzz-laden riffage and jazz-minded jam explorations have continued through six more studio albums, a live album and a couple of splits including their latest and most daring psychotropic exploration of heaviness to date, The Singularity, released May 2022 on Ripple Music. Having gained a reputation as one of the premier US Stoner Metal bands, they have stayed true to the deep, dark blues that wails from within and have forged their riffs with a primal grooviness, giving them a consistency of style, even while they have progressed and matured as a band, with their musical forays getting heavier, trippier, and even bringing in elements of jazz fusion and prog at times on the latest album.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: STONE NOMADS
STONE NOMADS is an American doom-sludge-metal power trio based in Houston, TX. The band, formed by Jon Cosky (Guitar/Vocals) and Jude Sisk (Bass/Vocals) in 2021, incorporates the sounds of modern Sludge Metal, early Doom Metal and all things heavy. Conceptually, the band explores the journey of life and death through the heavier and darker side of things, delivered via sludged-out, powerful riff-based sonics.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: THE KUPA PITIES
The Kupa Pities are a German heavy fuzz-rock band with a garage attitude. Blasting tunes from a Mad Max resurrection, this machine is rollin straight outta the desert into your 90’s closet, shredding flannel shirts with hardcore attitude.
Founded in 2020 The Kupa Pities released their first album “Godlike Supervision” in November 2021. Incorporating their live energy and widening their sound, the second album followed in May 2024.
There is no greater family reunion than RippleFest Texas, so get your tickets now and get your eardrums and bodies ready for lots of crushing music and warm hugs!
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 24th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Okay, so here’s the deal. Last year, I found myself wanting to keep up with Ripplefest Texas‘ lineup additions and couldn’t really do anything coverage-wise because they were happening daily and that kind of turns the site into a one-subject show in a way that doesn’t really help. Took me a year to figure it out, but I’m going to do Friday updates like this one — a roundup of what’s been coming out every day from the fest since the last announcement — for as long as they go with the daily adds. I don’t know when that will be, how many bands are playing — 2024 was huge, I’d expect 2025 to be correspondingly proportioned — or what time your flight needs to get into Austin for you to get there in time for the start on Sept. 18. I’m low on insight. But this is a party that’s becoming central to the year here in the US, so I want to cover it as much as I can.
The fest had quite a week. This is in order from oldest to newest, so Weedeater were the first added, etc. Here you go:
RIPPLEFEST TEXAS 2025 – NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: WEEDEATER
Those infamous sludge outlaws WEEDEATER bring their own branded “weed-metal” to RippleFest Texas. Their style marks the crossroads where true Southern rock and metal meet raw humour, old religion, as well as weed and whiskey.
If you’ve seen them live before then you know what a great show they put on! If you haven’t seen them then you are in for a treat! Get your eardrums and your livers ready!
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: LUNA SOL
Denver’s high mountain stoner blues rock band, LUNA SOL, is fronted by singer and lead guitarist DAVID ANGSTROM, known from Hermano, Supafuzz, Black Cat Bone, and Asylum On The Hill. Celebrating their 14th year, they released an epic album, VITA MORS, on September 20, 2024, via Todd Severin’s kickass Ripple Music label.
On VITA MORS, Angstrom collaborates with drummer ZETH PEDULLA and bassist DOUG TACKETT, creating a unique chemistry that inspired them to capture the raw energy of their sessions. VITA MORS delivers a live sound, immersing listeners in an atmosphere reminiscent of a dive bar with heavy riffs and vivid Southern Kentucky roots. The album embodies a mix of fury and delicacy, providing a perfect backdrop for Angstrom’s powerful storytelling.
Following 2015’s “Blood Moon” and 2017’s “Below The Deep,” VITA MORS spans 50+ minutes, exploring themes of betrayal, love, murder, and heartache. It features contributions from friends across various bands, continuing LUNA SOL’s tradition of collaboration. Angstrom noted, “The riffs were flowing, the tones were massive …and the fun continues.”
LUNA SOL is currently scheduling various US dates + an EU 2025 tour. The band’s live show is always impressive and delivers a fistful of full frontal riffs and immense power from a wall of vintage amps …and beer. There’s always a lot of beer.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: SHUN
Shun is a four-piece heavy, atmospheric post-rock band from the Western Carolinas (Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC) comprised of Matt Whitehead (Throttlerod), Rob Elzey, Jeff Baucom, and Bo Leslie (ex Throttlerod). Shun’s debut album was self-recorded during pandemic isolation, mixed by J Robbins (Clutch, The Sword, Coliseum, and so many more), and released on Small Stone Records. With styles ranging from melodic noise rock and heavy riffs to atmospheric largesse with contemplative, patient contraction, Shun emerged from the pandemic and began playing regional shows with bands like Shiner and Spotlights.
In 2024, Shun reteamed Small Stone and with J Robbins for their follow-up record, Dismantle, this time recording at J’s Magpie Cage studio in Baltimore, Maryland. Dismantle continues several crucial threads from the self-titled in terms of songwriting, while expanding their scope with a more refined crunch and drifting, ethereal outreach. It is heavier and paints a broader landscape in Matt Whitehead’s vocal and guitar melodies and reshapes it as the backdrop for weighted post-rock while refusing to sap its own vitality in service to shoegazey posturing.
Dismantle is able to push, pull, crash down loud or recede into float as Shun wills. That they’d wield such command in their craft likely won’t be a surprise to those who took on the self-titled, but among the things Dismantle undoes, it strips the listener of expectations and replaces them with its unflinching creativity and refreshingly forward-looking take.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: TELEKINETIC YETI
Based out of Iowa, Telekinetic Yeti is a two-man band that delivers sonic brutality melded with psychedelic doom wizardry, forged by the worship of the almighty riff and honed by relentless touring and dedication to their craft.
Creating music as cryptically enchanting as it is heavy, you wouldn’t guess that the impressive cacophony pouring out of the speakers like molten, metal syrup is being produced by only two people. Founder and guitarist Alex Baumann explains, “Originally I decided not to have a bass player purely for logistical reasons, it was just another schedule to work around, another person who’s boss could tell us we can’t tour, but then I started seeing it as a challenge, like let’s see how heavy we can make it with just two people.”
After having Telekinetic Yeti 2 years ago at RippleFest Texas, we couldn’t wait to have them back!
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: WHORES.
Formed in 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia, the trio has established themselves as one of the most successful and motivated bands in the genre today. Elements of Helmet, Melvins, and the Amphetamine Reptile roster can be heard throughout their catalog, but Whores are no regurgitated throwback act. Through intense, cathartic live performances and the perfected aggressive tenacity present on their recordings, the band has gained a fervent following sure to do nothing but grow in the years to come.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: HUMAN IMPACT
Human Impact, the New York-based outfit founded by Chris Spencer (Unsane) and Jim Coleman (Cop Shoot Cop), who recently released their sophomore album, Gone Dark (Oct. 4, Ipecac Recordings).
The Human Impact arsenal is more formidable than ever thanks to the addition of two more noise-rock veterans: bassist Eric Cooper (Made Out of Babies, Bad Powers) and drummer Jon Syverson (Daughters). Spencer had spent the 2020 COVID lockdown working on a cabin in the East Texas woods and would travel into Austin for informal jam sessions with the pair in the Cooper’s garage. Friendly blasts through vintage Unsane songs ultimately resulted in the rhythm section being fully absorbed into Human Impact.
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NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: VALLEY OF THE SUN
After fourteen years of rocking and rolling across the world, Valley of the Sun released their fifth lp, “Quintessence”, which explores new sonic dimensions for the band, who is once again in a three piece format. Over the years they have graced the stages of clubs and festivals alike, including Hellfest, Palp Festival, Keep It Low, Tabernas, Lazy Bones, Motocultor, and Desertfests New York, Berlin, London, and Belgium. Hellbent on dominating the world with their unique, unapologetic twist on stoner-grunge, they finally bring the show to Ripplefest Texas.
There is no greater family reunion than RippleFest Texas, so get your tickets now and get your eardrums and bodies ready for lots of crushing music and warm hugs!
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 16th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Last heard from when they were putting the cap on the 2024 edition by revealing that 2025’s lineup would boast Unida, Mos Generator, Left Lane Cruiser, Steak, Kind, Mountain of Smoke, Thunder Horse, Sundrifter and Fostermother, the massive Austin four-dayer Ripplefest Texas has announced that Dallas’ Mothership, who last month took to the stage for the first time in two years, are the latest confirmed to take part.
This announcement begins a series of daily reveals for Ripplefest Texas that, frankly, I’m not going to be able to keep up with. That kind of thing does fine for a social media algorithm, but these posts take real time out of my day to make. Right now I’ve got a roundup news post slated for next Friday that would cover the days between now and then, and I’ll do my best to put that together in a way that doesn’t suck or look like garbage when the time comes. I recognize that the ‘blog’ is an out-of-date medium. I’m an out-of-date human.
From socials:
RIPPLEFEST TEXAS – NEW BAND ANNOUNCEMENT: MOTHERSHIP
Supersonic intergalactic heavy rock trio Mothership based out of Dallas, Texas and formed in 2010 give a real sense of hope that all is well in the universe, and that pure honest rock and roll has once again returned to this planet on a mission to unite true believers.
Consisting of brothers Kyle Juett on bass/lead vocals, Kelley Juett on guitar/vocals, and Judge Smith on drums, these guys have created a unique sound that satisfies like a steaming hot stew of UFO and Iron Maiden, blended with the southern swagger of Molly Hatchet and ZZ Top, paired with a deadly chalice of Black Sabbath.
Mothership is a RippleFest Texas alumni and it was a no brainer to bring this high energy, riffs in your face, foot stomping brand of rock and roll back!
There is no greater family reunion than RippleFest Texas, so get your tickets now and get your eardrums and bodies ready for lots of crushing music and warm hugs!
Posted in Whathaveyou on September 23rd, 2024 by JJ Koczan
The sun hadn’t even set on this year’s Ripplefest Texas this past weekend and the Austin-based festival announced its dates for 2025. No headliners have been revealed yet — and fair enough; it’s a year away — but Unida return to top the thus-far bill, and along with Mos Generator, Left Lane Cruiser and Kind, the first of no-doubt-several international acts has been announced, with London’s Steak making the trip over.
You may recall Steak recorded in the California desert in the past, and they may have done a couple gigs around that, but I’m assuming there will be a more substantial stint of touring around their slot at Ripplefest. I haven’t seen dates for Desertfest NYC 2025 yet, but the two fests were closely interlinked in terms of lineup this year, somewhat akin to the on-the-same-page togetherness Europe will see between various events on successive weekends next month, and given Steak‘s connection to Desertscene London, the team from which is also behind Desertfest New York, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see that relationship continue to develop as Ripplefest Texas 2025 adds more bands building on the initial names here.
And if you saw the lineup for 2024 or — congratulations on your weekend if this is the case — you were there to actually see the show, you know Ripplefest Texas packs its four-day expanse front to back at a scale that few outside of Maryland Doom Fest could hope to, and with an increasing reach to boot. If you’re not yet looking forward to the next Ripplefest Texas, here’s a cue to do so:
RippleFest Texas 2025 dates are officially announced! We are selling 100 4 Day Passes only at a ridiculous price of $100! That is worth seeing these bands announced so far and we haven’t even announced our headliners yet! Get them while you can!!!
