El Danno: First the big question! It`s common knowledge that SHoD1 was an epic rock festival music wise but financially it fell short. How did SHoD2 compare in this respect?
Rob Levey: This show went off great we did not lose much money and we were able to give all the bands money this time.
El Danno: How many people attended the festival and what was the general vibe and atmosphere like?
Rob Levey: There were probably between 300-400 people there including all the muscisians and there guests. The vibe was awesome everyone seemed in great spirits no attitudes much spirits of many kinds being exchanged. Cheryl and I probably met over 200 people and everyone was doing great. Underdogma and the bands and others were selling and exchanging their ware`s it seemed like a swap meet.
El Danno: Can you give us some brief reviews of your favourite performances of the festival?
Rob Levey: Wow I know I have said this before but even though I have seen them play for over 20 years and known them personally Unorthodox blew me away Dale is on the cutting edge of the future and I recomend to anyone to check out anything you can get your hands on in the future Cheryl and I will be putting a lot of our energy into helping these guys make it. After that there was Slow Horse incredible sound and vibe slow sludgy but with and edge and with some humor. Dragon Green were amazing to they had just lost their singer and had to do an all instrumental set and it was very heavy and emotionaly charged. Of course all my Hell Hound brothers from the DC area were great Internal Void are always worth the price of admission Earthride is somone everybody should keep in mind and as a good friend of mine said while they were playing Spirit Caravan never disappoint. I also was very impressed with Soul of Earth and After the Sun and Cheryl loved Bottom.
El Danno: Can you share some stories of anything funny, strange or just plain fucked up that happened during the course of the weekend?
Rob Levey: Well from a general point of view the parking lot the bands used became a mini Woodstock with a great chance you would get a contact high if you just walked through. Also when we arrived the day before on Friday we actualy met some people who had travelled to the show and were just hanging out waiting for it to happen and we hung with them that night. Only realy fucked up thing that happened is the coolest people in the world Vix and Mike got their car broken into the night before in Pittsburg at the pre show that night.
El Danno: What was the highlight of the festival for you and Cheryl?
Rob Levey: The highlight for me was and this is somthing I wanted from the beginning of this idea (which is over 5 years old now) was being able to bring to some of the people from around the country and the world for that matter the great bands from the DC area and seeing them get a great reception. For both of us also I think it is that we actualy got to see most of the bands play.
El Danno: What was the most "rock `n` roll" spectacle perpetrated (on stage or off) during the weekend festivities? and by who? And who (band member or fan) was the "coolest rock `n` roll dude" of the festival? and why? (Don`t take this question too seriously, it`s just for fun :) - My vote goes to Sherman from Spirit Caravan and I wasn`t even there :)
Rob Levey: I think everyone would agree it was Boulder riding up on stage on a bike and burning it like they were Judas Priest it was Surprising, Cool, and funny.
The coolest person is Wino he has great presance, Very freindly but you know you are with somone of substance who will treat you with respect but give you difinitive opionion on anything. A close second was Dan from Slowhorse he is about as funny and irreverential as anyone in the business.
El Danno: How did you find Nyabinghi as a venue for such a heavy duty roster of bands? Was the sound quality and size of the club etc adequate?
Rob Levey: Nyabinghi is great Greg was terrific to work with. The place is a cool looking and spacious. The sound was terrific (LOUDDDDDDDD---------). His staff was very cool and everything was very reasonable.
El Danno: I`ve heard that SHoD3 is already being planned for next year and that it will be held in Texas instead of Ohio. Why the change of state/venue and can you give us some details on what`s already being planned for SHoD3?
Rob Levey: Cheryl and I are planning on moving to the west coast over the early spring and after moving it this first year it seems natural to try and have it in different areas. Also I realy want Solitude Aternus and John Perez (Brainticket) to be there this year. He has supported it from the beginning and and I have wanted Solitude to do it from the beginning.
El Danno: Did you learn any major new lessons at SHoD2 that will help to make SHoD3 even better?
Rob Levey: You know except for doing it at a club to avoid all the personal financial problems the only other things is maybe making the days a little shorter and never have more than 10 bands play a day it and maybe adding a third day and have less bands play each day.
El Danno: Finally, is there anything you`d like to say to the StonerRock.com Community Members and the bands and fans that turned out to participate and experience SHoD2?
Rob Levey: Everyone you are the greatest! Supporting the scene is what this is all about. So if there is a cool band playing in reasonable distance from where you are at go see them they are all great and support all the great people who are involed including Dan here and Rock Nation and Nodzine, Stonerrock list, all the people with online radio shows, Underdogma, Brainticket, Meteor City, Southernlord, Tee Pee and anyone else who supports this with their sweat and blood.
While I got a second can I thank, StonerRock.com, Rock Nation, Underdogma, MeteorCity, Brainticket, Nodzine, Chris Barnes, Vix and Mike, Greg and Nyabinghi, Wino, and all the bands who have played the last two years and supported it the last 2 years too.
Cheryl and I say peace to everyone...
Peace, Rob
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