For the past eight years, Riot Fest has slowly evolved into one of Chicago's most intriguing festivals - not only because of it's consistent slant towards punk and metal, but because it was in the fall and in a slew of our favorite locals clubs. This year, Riot Fest mastermind Mike ‘Riot’ Petryshyn has taken the growing event to the next logical step - out of the clubs and expanding into a full fledged multi-day, and (sort of) multi-city festival. The kind that, if this year's edition proves to be an over whelming success, could compete with Union Park's Pitchfork, or possibly, even Grant Park's Lollapalooza - the weirdly super popular grandpa of the Chicago music festival scene. Of course, Riot Fest had to adapt a bit to the big festival climate. Meaning Riot Fest 2012 booked bands that work as a whole but might not have fit into it's former club-by-club (Built To Spill, Elvis Costello & The Imposters) years. And while this year's installment is technically a three-day affair with Friday's opening going down at the Congress Theatre with Dead Sara, Neon Trees, Chicago punk Mainstays Pegboy and The Offspring for some reason, we're most intriguied by the follow two days - Saturday, September 15, and Sunday, September 16 - in Humboldt Park. So, that's where we're focusing out energy. And by we I mean our senior staff - Richard Giraldi, Audrey Leon and Killian Young - giving you our picks for must-see acts at Riot Fest 2012...
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
NOBUNNY Riot stage, 12:45 p.m. Part mutant, part man, all rock 'n' roll. That's the short answer to the question, "What or who is Nobunny?" Birthed by Justin Champlin, formerly of Sneaky Pinks, Nobunny is easy to spot because of the signature mask that's rabbit-like in nature. Musically, Nobunny is a bit all over the places culling in sounds from garage rock, glam rock, punk rock and power pop. And through consistent musical output and touring (including multiple Chicago stops yearly), Chapman has built Nobunny into quite the reputation as a wild live performer slash human in general.(Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tafIlQ2VdG8 OF MICE & MEN Rock stage, 12:45 p.m. There was something hauntingly prophetic about original Of Mice & Men vocalist Austin Carlile’s words in “Second and Sebring,” the hit song from the band’s self-titled debut album: “I believe it’s time for me to be famous/And out of place.” While Carlile underwent heart surgery, Jerry Roush (Sky Eats Airplane) filled in and eventually replaced Carlile for lead vocal duties. However, in early 2011, Roush was given the boot in favor of Carlile. Since then, OMAM released a new album (The Flood) that picks up where their first album left off in terms of furious breakdowns keyed by the apt blend of Carlile’s clean vocals and harsh growls. It seems that John Steinbeck’s words really ring true: “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” (Killian Young)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htlilC6EJto CURSIVE Roots stage, 1:15 p.m. Cursive doesn't need pyrotechnics to be explosive. Since the late 90s, the Omaha, Nebraska, band has kicked out some brooding indie rock jams that feature its penchant for propulsive rhythms and chugging guitars. Frontman Tim Kasher's mood, often bitter lyrics read like a sermon preaching against love and all other holy things. That trend continues on the group's latest concept album I Am Gemini. (Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIx-_rW8_1Q FRANK TURNER Riot stage, 2:00 p.m. If there's anyone who proves you don't need electric guitars to live like a punk, it is English singer Frank Turner. After walking away from hardcore outfit Million Dead in 2005, Turner began a solo journey, writing and performing punk-infused ditties with an acoustic guitar, a sense of romance and brutal honesty. (Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ-D4jmkUiQ AUGUST BURNS RED Rock stage, 3:00 p.m. Like their metalcore peers Parkway Drive, August Burns Red are known for their clean-cut appearances and killer breakdowns with aggressive vocals: “I hope you survive/Survive the crash” (“Back Burner”) and “You’re the straw that’s crushing my back/You are the salt that’s burning my wounds” (“White Washed”) are just a couple examples. ABR emerged from Lancaster Pa., in 2003, and the band’s most recent album, Leveler, might not hit quite as hard as their older music (their most-played song on Spotify happens to be a cover of Britney Spears’ “…One More Time”), but years of experience have molded them into an energetic live act. (Killian Young)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3cAJckhOyg ANDREW W.K. Roots stage, 4:15 p.m. Andrew W.K., for all intensive purposes, is the king of partying. Which is quite an accomplishment for a dude whose best known album (2001's I Get Wet) was released in an era when MTV still played music video. But his brand of piano-infused party metal secured something of a cult following. Although his subsequent releases never really featured tunes as recklessly rockin' as "Party Hard," Andrew W.K. still preaches the party gospel on his extremely entertaining Twitter account and puts on one hell of a live show. Oh, and Pizza Guitar. (Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xemLz_fR1Ac MINUS THE BEAR Rock stage, 4:30 p.m. If there's anyone who proves you don't need electric guitars to live like a punk, it is English singer Frank Turner. After walking away from hardcore outfit Million Dead in 2005, Turner began a solo journey, writing and performing punk-infused ditties with an acoustic guitar, a sense of romance and brutal honesty. (Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSN_jEORfk
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

HENRY CLAY PEOPLE Roots stage, 12:00 p.m. A colleague of mine referred to California's The Henry Clay People as, "a hold steady for the West Coast," which, while not what exactly came to mind when I first heard them, isn't too bad of a description (I actually hear a bit more Dismemberment Plan in their more frenetic tunes). The band definitely has that big punchy bar band feel but more in a indie and punk vein than classic rock. The band said their most recent - the high octane, guitar-heavy Twenty-Five For The Rest of Our Lives was the result of aiming toward creating the record they've wanted to since their adolescence. And it paid off as Consequence Of Sound added The Henry Clay People to their elite shortlist of best new bands.(Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmXph-SwzqE IMAGINE DRAGONS Riot stage, 12:30 p.m. If Imagine Dragons’ single “It’s Time” (from their new album, Night Visions) sounds oddly familiar, it’s probably because you’ve heard it before. The song is featured in the trailer for the upcoming film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” The Las Vegas band also performed it on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, and “It’s Time” will be covered by “Glee” this season. This sudden rise in fame bodes well for the indie poppers, who share a sound similar to Neon Trees and fun., and will surely draw comparisons to two other established Las Vegas bands, The Killers and Panic! at the Disco. (Killian Young)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d712Th-4y0Q BUILT TO SPILL Riot stage, 3:00 p.m. Boise, Idaho's Built to Spill has been around for two decades, but age hasn't changed these quirky indie rockers. Led by frontman Doug Martsch, Built to Spill create dreamy rock standards with infectious pop hooks, twisty guitar jams and imaginative, introspective lyrics. If Neil Young decided to join Pavement, it's pretty obvious the end result would sound a lot like Built to Spill. (Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do65YR5YksY AWOLNATION Red Stage, 5:15 p.m. In a sea of punk, hardcore, and metal groups, AWOLNATION may be the most unconventional band performing at Riot Fest. Founded as a side project of vocalist Aaron Bruno (formerly of Under the Influence of Giants), AWOLNATION plays synth-heavy pop with a tinge of darkness. If you weren’t avoiding NBC’s coverage of the Olympics, you may know their most famous song, “Sail”—it was featured in a BMW commercial during the Opening Ceremony. (Killian Young)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_H77Ledl_I THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN Riot stage, 4:40 p.m. Some from a more recent generation might have discovered The Jesus And Mary Chain while watching Lost In Translation's "Just Like Honey" scene. But for others, the band means a whole mlot more. Their ever changing lineup (brothers Jim and William Read the only constants) in the '80s and '90 birthed a wealth of now-classic alternative rock slash post-punk from their landmark 1985 release, the noisy shoegaze swell of Psychocandy to the peculiar subdued pop approach of 1994's Stoned And Dethroned, the band built up a long repitoire and dedicate fan base. After officially splitting in 1999, they reunited at Coachella in 2007 and finally hit the road for a substantial tour this year. (Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy3imeRZc0M SCREAMING FEMALES Rebel stage, 5:00 p.m. New Jersey punks Screaming Females impress with dark, ferocious rhythm and bluesy, blustery guitar riffs. Frontwoman Marissa Paternoster is a character who leads the trio with an impressive vocal range that drifts between high-pitched, high-tension screams and low dramatic howls. The band's fifth album Ugly, which was recorded by Steve Albini, stays the cuorse with plenty of speedy guitar work, commanding bass lines and crashing drum beats. With Screaming Females at the helm, things are sure to get loud. (Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE0BWA5LZYc ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS Roots stage, 5:25 p.m. What's interesting about Elvis Costello & The Imposters' late afternoon set on Sunday is: What exactly will they play? Also, who will be there? Costello is undeniably a punk rock pioneer, but set to play after NOFX and before Alkaline Trio is quite the slot. Will Costello lean more toward his older, up-beat material (basically anything from This Year's Model)? And will old school fans brave the young headbanging punks to catch a glimpse of their idol? Only time will tell, but props for Riot Fest for taking a chance on a legendary old dude who is a legitimate influence on more bands that you might think. (Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al7BFVGilnM ALKALINE TRIO Riot stage, 6:25 p.m. Chicagoland natives Alkaline Trio are Riot Fest vets having last performed in 2009. The punk rockers have matured since their 1998 debut Goddammit! The three piece band (vocalist Matt Skiba, bassist Dan Andriano, and drummer Derek Grant) have perfected its signature gloomy pop anthems that sparkle with defiant punk attitude with Alkaline Trio's 2010 LP This Addiction and 2011's acoustic collection Damnesia. (Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k78P4IV7M_M Friday, September 14, 2012 – Congress Theater The Offspring, Neon Trees, Pegboy, Dead Sara Saturday, September 15 – Humboldt Park Rise Against, Coheed and Cambria, Descendents, Dropkick Murphys, Slapstick, The Gaslight Anthem, Andrew W.K., Hot Water Music, Minus The Bear, Less Than Jake, August Burns Red, GWAR, Frank Turner, The Adicts, Nobunny, A Wilhelm Scream, Teenage Bottlerocket, Off With Their Heads, Deals Gone Bad, Larry and His Flask, The Story So Far, Fireworks, Environmental Encroachment and more to be announced Sunday, September 16 – Humboldt Park Iggy and the Stooges, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, A Day to Remember, Gogol Bordello, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, The Jesus and Mary Chain, AWOLNATION, The Promise Ring, Chiodos, Built to Spill, Imagine Dragons, Reverend Horton Heat, Fishbone, Screaming Females, White Mystery, The Henry Clay People, Sister Crayon, Japanther, Environmental Encroachment, The Infected and more to be announced For More information about the Riot Fest, visit: RiotFest.org.