Memphis-based independent record label Goner Records will bring its signature “hard and loud” music to Memphis this week for the 11th annual Gonerfest, a much-loved music festival featuring local, regional and international bands.
Gonerfest is unique to Memphis because it is “for bands and fans,” Eric Friedl, guitarist from the garage-rock band The Oblivians and the founder of Goner Records in 1993, said.
“We bring in bands from all over the world and many of the bands come to see the other bands play,” Friedl said.
The festival will begin on Sept. 25 and run through Sept. 28. Most of the festivities will take place at the Hi-Tone on Cleveland Avenue, a Memphis café that features live, local music most nights of the week.
Since its inception, Goner has been bringing “Some of the hardest and loudest music that you have probably never heard of,” frequent Goner visitor Kyle Bradford said.
Gonerfest 11 will feature seven bands from Australia, including the new and young punk rock band Ausmuteants, hailing from Geelong, Australia.
Bands from three other continents also will be represented this year, including The Rebel, from England; So Cow, from Ireland; and King Brothers, from Japan.
One of the festival’s headliners is the original 1976-77 lineup of The Gizmos. The Gizmos, a legendary proto-punk band from Indiana, never played live back in the day. “The fact that they want to play Gonerfest just blows our minds,” Friedl said.
Over the years, Gonerfest has gained quite a large crowd. During the first Gonerfest, people traveled from all over the world to attend. “That really opened our eyes to the far-reaching appeal that this festival has,” Friedl said.
For the first time ever, Gonerfest will have its own beer. Two beers have been created exclusively for Gonerfest 11 by local brewery Memphis Made Brewery. Goner Blue Ribbon will be available on tap at the festival. Guitar Attack IPA, which is being sold in 750mL bottles at various locations in Memphis – including Buster’s and The Corkscrew, will also be available.
Festivals are a great way to get to know the bands face-to-face, according to Madison Farmer of the all-girl Memphis punk band, NOTS. “It’s great to put a face to a name or song, instead of just looking on the Internet,” said Farmer, who also works at Goner.
Farmer has attended many Gonerfests and said to always go with your ears open. “You have a plan to see bands you like, but then you discover even more than what you anticipated,” she said.
Opening ceremonies will kick-off at the Cooper-Young gazebo on Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. with a free performance from Paul Collins Beat. The festival will then move over to the Hi-Tone beginning at 8:45 p.m. with Ross Johnson’s Like Flies On Sherbert Revue.
All-access “Golden Passes” can be purchased, as well as single-night tickets, at Goner Records on Young Avenue (cash-only), at the event itself, or online at the Gonerfest 11 website.
