dust presents

Electric Funeral Fest III Gallery

“We’re not fucking Gwar,” cracked Speedwolf frontman Reed Bruemmer, laughing as their Wolf mascot adorned in Broncos regalia poured another bucket of water on the heads of the front row. Not Gwar, or any other imitation, that’s for sure. This was Speedwolf through and through - raw power chomping at a packed house following a five-year hiatus. I don't think Gwar or any other band could have perched the crowd on the precipice of insanity the way Denver’s beloved did last Friday night. The crowd teemed at the stage’s edge the entirety of the show. This town has fiended for this reunion for years, and the fire was bright in their eyes. In the midst of the band’s “Denver666” finale, the charged-up mass overtook the stage entirely. 

Now, following up Speedwolf on a festival headlining spot is not a position to covet. It takes a special group of maniacs to successfully deliver such a follow up. Had their been any lingering doubts that Saturday’s ender could would turn as loose the night previous - and I didn’t hear any - they were rapidly exhaled as Weedeater’s Dixie Dave growled out a quick sound check about crack rocks, fucking and whiskey. A few moments later, the 3 Kings stage was once again awash in sweat-soaked human.

Though Speedwolf and Weedeater closed out each night with a fury, the mania began early each day and rarely ceased. It was the relentlessness of the party, and the talent, that’s rendered it all such a blur. And by no means did 3 Kings have a monopoly on the hi-jinx. Not to get into too much detail, but R.I.P. incited a pair of brawls inside the Hi-Dive, Zeke sent the body-to-body room spinning into a speed-lusting frenzy, Malahierba joined last minute to stun once again, and the rap sheet rattles on… Apologies for being trite - but you simply have to be there.

The lineup for this third edition was built with Denver’s nation-leading heavy music scene as a cornerstone, with 15 or so Denver bands taking the stage alongside a smattering of Texas talent, as well as acts from both north and south of the border. In that regard, this was the most international the event’s been, both in terms bands and attendees. Continuing the trend from Year 1 into Year 2, the third iteration broadened in musical scope, including industrial crushers Echo Beds, Necropanther’s deaththrash, Zeke’s pedal-to-the-floor attack and so on.

This was also the first year to include a stage in the Mutiny Information Cafe, the famed South Broadway book/record shop. The third venue brought a slew of new angles to the table - staging for more acts, obviously, and an option for those eager yet under age, a change in venue aesthetic, life-saving cold brews, a new read or record for those taking back to the road, or just a comfortable place to rest and recover between sets.

In short, Electric Funeral III tore through Denver like a barroom brawl. Bodies were launched, soaked and bruised, rooms strewn with various items of clothing and beer cans, the floor mapped with puddles. Too long a drag on your IPA and you’d have missed it, left ogling scattered wreckage and wondering why you feel like the world’s largest pile of shit. But ease up, a good party will disorient even the most seasoned reveler. If you missed it, you can live vicariously through the Almighty Internet and vow to never do so again. If you were fortunate enough to be there, this rambling missive should jog your mush brain. Following is a selection of shots from the weekend. - MG

Photos by: Michael Goodwin, Sam Giles, Mitch Kline, Kate Streber

*More photos to be added to the gallery next week.

Electric Funeral III hits Denver this weekend

Seems impossible that we've reached the end of June already, but indeed we are mere days away from the third edition of Electric Funeral Fest, and the buzz about Denver is becoming palpable. As the crowds roll into the Mile High City for what's become one of the most anticipated parties of the summer - this year expanded to include a third (all-ages!) stage across from the Hi Dive in the Mutiny Information Cafe - we thought we'd take a quick minute to spin through a few blurs from the previous two years.

This year's festival - featuring the anxiously-awaited return of Denver's own Speedwolf and so much more - looks to outdo them both. It's been an honor covering the event as media partner since its inception and we hope to see a whole bunch of ya this weekend at round 3. More coverage and images can be found in our Issue III, available for purchase through the "magazine" tab.

There are still a very limited (about 20 as of this posting) tickets left for Saturday through the link below! If you are in Denver, there are also a handful of 2-day passes available behind the bar at Trve Brewing. More info can be found on the Dust Presents Facebook and Instagram pages.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/electric-funeral-fest-iii-tickets-42502774944

Photos and notes - mg

Sourvein 2016. This photo gets at the ethos of the festival. Face to face. Headbanging. Pooled sweat and spilt beer. T-Roy is just the guy to put the intensity directly into high gear. Sourvein played both year 1 and 2 - here they are head…

Sourvein 2016. This photo gets at the ethos of the festival. Face to face. Headbanging. Pooled sweat and spilt beer. T-Roy is just the guy to put the intensity directly into high gear. Sourvein played both year 1 and 2 - here they are headlining the inaugural event.

Goya, 2016. Love Goya, love Jeff, and LOVE the ghost titties on his forearm. This is rock and roll kids, stay loose.

Goya, 2016. Love Goya, love Jeff, and LOVE the ghost titties on his forearm. This is rock and roll kids, stay loose.

Mothership and the bachelor party, 2016. Seemingly out of nowhere, a bachelor party (bottom right in the custom tees) came rip-roaring into the front row during Mothership's set, stealing the spotlight for just a second.

Mothership and the bachelor party, 2016. Seemingly out of nowhere, a bachelor party (bottom right in the custom tees) came rip-roaring into the front row during Mothership's set, stealing the spotlight for just a second.

Malahierba, 2016. The band has made quite the name for themselves over the past few years, a highlight of every bill the join. Their 2016 festival performance served as a launching point of sorts, helping them gain greater notoriety b…

Malahierba, 2016. The band has made quite the name for themselves over the past few years, a highlight of every bill the join. Their 2016 festival performance served as a launching point of sorts, helping them gain greater notoriety beyond Juarez, where they began, and Denver, their current home.

Radio/Monti after hours jam, 2016. Though the festival is held in clubs, it's always had a bit of a show-meets-house party feel. This was helped along in the formative years by the actual house party on Colfax that followed each night of the festiva…

Radio/Monti after hours jam, 2016. Though the festival is held in clubs, it's always had a bit of a show-meets-house party feel. This was helped along in the formative years by the actual house party on Colfax that followed each night of the festival, the celebration always running into the following day's sunrise. Here is one of those moments, with Dylan (Sacrimonti) and Paul (Radio Moscow) keeping the jam alive, their brothren checked out behind them.

Toke + T-Roy, 2016. I shot this photo of Toke and T-Roy in a Colfax alley late one night. Sourvein and Toke come from the same region and as fate would have it, crossed paths at a festival in Denver. A year or so later, T-Roy took up a guest vo…

Toke + T-Roy, 2016. I shot this photo of Toke and T-Roy in a Colfax alley late one night. Sourvein and Toke come from the same region and as fate would have it, crossed paths at a festival in Denver. A year or so later, T-Roy took up a guest vocal spot on their track "Weak Life".

Electric Citizen, 2017. Always down for a good time, always bringing a show. An exhilarating performer, Laura may be one of my favorite people to shoot. 

Electric Citizen, 2017. Always down for a good time, always bringing a show. An exhilarating performer, Laura may be one of my favorite people to shoot. 

R.I.P., 2017. Frontman Fuzz recently dubbed R.I.P. the "heaviest, hairiest, horniest and most horrifying band playing right now, period." We are inclined to agree. Plus, his use of the adjective "horny" really got us psyched, as it's been in the Den…

R.I.P., 2017. Frontman Fuzz recently dubbed R.I.P. the "heaviest, hairiest, horniest and most horrifying band playing right now, period." We are inclined to agree. Plus, his use of the adjective "horny" really got us psyched, as it's been in the Denver lexicon for years now (Thanks, Laina) and we strive to make the world a hornier place. R.I.P. is returning this year - we hope to see you dirty freaks up front.

Corky Laing's Mountain, 2017. What a moment this was! You could feel the reverence in the air - fans and bands alike awestruck to be in Corky's presence. Corky loosened up as the set progressed, cracking jokes and rehashing the backstories to some o…

Corky Laing's Mountain, 2017. What a moment this was! You could feel the reverence in the air - fans and bands alike awestruck to be in Corky's presence. Corky loosened up as the set progressed, cracking jokes and rehashing the backstories to some of Mountain's most famous tunes. You get a sense of the wonder in this photo, with a younger generation of musicians, many who have just played and consider Corky, and Mountain, to be a monumental inspiration, filling in behind the cabinets to take in the show.

*It must also be mentioned, that Chris Shutters, who took up guitar duties on this Corky Laing tour did a phenomenal job standing in Leslie West's place. Truly an excellent guitar player in his own right.

While we are on it, we will stick with a couple more images of insanely talented and captivating drummers. Cam of Crypt Trip, 2017.

While we are on it, we will stick with a couple more images of insanely talented and captivating drummers. Cam of Crypt Trip, 2017.

Josh with Smokey Mirror. (Now plays with Texas' group, Fogg)

Josh with Smokey Mirror. (Now plays with Texas' group, Fogg)

Malahierba opened up the Juarez-Denver connection and Dizz Brew has followed up massively. Martin of Dizz Brew, 2017. (They are touring the Southwest this summer, keep an eye out).

Malahierba opened up the Juarez-Denver connection and Dizz Brew has followed up massively. Martin of Dizz Brew, 2017. (They are touring the Southwest this summer, keep an eye out).

Glitter Wizard and Mercho Man. By the time Glitter Wizard's after-party set at the Hi Dive rolled around, tops were being popped, the crowd sufficiently lubed. When the band charged into their Turbo Lover cover, the joint went absolutely wild. It wa…

Glitter Wizard and Mercho Man. By the time Glitter Wizard's after-party set at the Hi Dive rolled around, tops were being popped, the crowd sufficiently lubed. When the band charged into their Turbo Lover cover, the joint went absolutely wild. It was a horny scene, you might say.

Lori. Acid King, 2017. One of the most humble and excellent people doing it. A lifer and matriarch of the heavy scene. Acid King always delivers, and their festival closing set last year was no exception.

Lori. Acid King, 2017. One of the most humble and excellent people doing it. A lifer and matriarch of the heavy scene. Acid King always delivers, and their festival closing set last year was no exception.

See ya at the party! 

See ya at the party! 

Electric Funeral Fest II - gallery 1

Electric Funeral II was nuts. Like the dude who just had his girlfriend shoot him from a foot away (into a thick book) with a 50 cal. Like a Frank Reynolds Man-Cheetah. Like a 'Turbo Lover' cover when you're fully on one. (Cheers, Glitter Wizard). Ya know, fuckin’ wild. If you were there, you’re well aware. If ya weren’t, well, don’t make that mistake again. Here is Gallery numero uno. 

Photos by Michael Goodwin and Javier Armendariz.

*Cheap prints available, drop us a message: ritualofsinmag@gmail.com. **FREE domestic shipping of Issue III (which includes the Electric Funeral year 1 feature) through July 6. READ MORE.