2020 is well underway and for SoCal, we’re already thinking about this summer’s concerts. This year has a ton of moving parts; sadly, there’s no more Kevin Lyman or Warped Tour, SGE isn’t putting anything on… so the million dollar question is … who will be the Promoter that takes us to the promise land? A few years ago I spoke with Lyman about his retirement from the Warped Tour circus. He said we should keep on eye out on a few company’s, and especially a few individual Promoters. Looks like Lyman has become a prophet. One of his picks was a guy from right here in the OC; Huntington Beach to be exact, his name is Scott Tucker of Sellout Events.
Putting on music festivals is a tough gig, no joke, it’s really tough… it just has so many moving parts. For the Alt rock, punk, reggae and ska crowds, those shows are always a fun time. Maybe because those genre’s are so centric to the southern California lifestyle. That may be one reason that Sellout Events has been as successful as they’ve been. Truthfully, it’s nearly impossible to put out successful-show-after-successful show. Again, it’s all the moving parts at work that keep the Music Gods and Fates so busy.
For Sellout, they’ve been creating quite the buzz with their annual punk and rockabilly pilgrimage. Now in it’s fourth incarnation, the HOEDOWN has a bonafied diverse history. This festival literally has something for everyone.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have sat down and chatted with some of the Promoters that have put on these larger than life festivals. It’s always interesting to hear their take on life and business. The thing that stood out the most to me a few years ago when I spoke with festival organizer and Sellout CEO Scott Tucker was his never say die attitude. Not just about challenges surrounding putting on festivals, but as it relates to life in general. A few years back he told me, Jimmy, life is funny, you can be up one minute, down the next. The secret is to always keep fighting, and always look forward to tomorrow. AND don’t be afraid to fall on your face or succeed. Each outcome brings its own set of challenges. Just enjoy the moment, and the journey with as many people as you can.
For Tucker and his partner, Vanessa Turbay, they’ve always taken on challenges with grit and a smile. Luckily for us, they hit gold with last year’s festival. It was heavy with rockabilly, alt rock and punk legends. For the causal observer, PUNK ROCK is defined as: (n) A loud, fast and deliberately offensive style of rock music popularized in the mid ’70s. For all the things we criticize teenagers for; one thing is very clear … they have a very unique claim to the genesis of a very cool music genre called punk rock. Back in the day, English bands such as The Buzzcocks, The Clash, The Damned and Sex Pistols made a name for this fledgling rock scene. Then, the pendulum shifted back to this side of the pond and bands like Bad Brains, Black Flag, The Cramps, New York Dolls, The Ramones, Social Distortion, X and many others sneered at the man; and they did it with contempt.
Fast forward then circle back to 2019… last year saw the legends come out. We saw bands like the Dickies Agent Orange, The Dwarves, The Living End, Dead Kennedys and Suicidal Tendencies. The lineup turned into a magic elixir as the crowd loved the show from beginning to end.
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
This year’s lineup is just as insane as the last. Just announced, Sellout put out the 2020 SoCal HOEDOWN lineup which features local punk legends, The Vandals, Black Flag, T.S.O.L., ska Gods Fishbone, and The Untouchables, also added are Smut Peddlers, Throw Rag, Love Canal, Cornfed Project, The Heroes and Side Eyes just to name a few.
The VANDALS | LADYKILLER
For some, anarchy is order, and punk rock brings order to their lives. About this year’s festival, this lineup is insane, but like in past years, this is only the beginning. Look for more announcements coming soon from Sellout about more bands and special features at this years HOEDOWN.
FISHBONE | PARTY AT GROUND ZERO
If you want to see living history, dust off your black leather jacket, ripped jeans, creepers and bust out the pomade so you can hang out with thousands of your closest friends. You can be a witness that punk rock and rockabilly is alive and well and taking center stage at the SoCal HOEDOWN!
Banner Provided by Sellout Events
The SoCal Hoedown will be held again at Port of Los Angeles, Berth 46, 3011 Miner St., San Pedro.
For festival and ticket information
Catch Norwood from Fishbone at The 4th Annual SoCal HOEDOWN
