PUNK
IN THE
Park
By Robb Way
D
espite a prior attempt by the city in years
past to squash the alternative music scene,
2015 marked the 10th Anniversary of Punk
in the Park in Rutland, VT.
It was in 2001 when it all started. Former band
members of The Scams created the idea for a full
day of punk music on the grounds of Main Street
Park. Tommy Mohawk, of The Scams, took over the
following year, keeping Punk in the Park alive.
The local band, Morpheus, then took grip for the
next three years, until the town’s Park Department
shut it down in 2005. Punk in the Park was not invited back in the years to come.
28 • CIDER MAG • cidermag.com
By the time 2011 came around, Morpheus was
looking for the return of Punk in the Park. After a
five year break, the festival was reintroduced with
a new family-friendly approach that welcomed all
ages to a full day of festivities featuring a whole lot
of punk and rock music.
Fast forward to its 10th time around, on August 1, 2015 more than 10 bands came out to jam
at Punk in the Park. “This time we revamped how
things got done and got sponsors to help out with
the costs and equipment etc., which made the event
more family friendly, with added activities for the
kids such as coloring and face painting,” said John
“Spanky-Payne” Ellis, lead singer of Morpheus who
helped with the organizing Punk in the Park.
“This year we made Punk in the Park even better, with more rules so things wouldn't get out of
sorts with the local neighbors,” Ellis went on to say.
The sound was kept at a steady level and there was
no alcohol or drugs allowed at this event. “We also
tried to get bands to sing songs without any swearing, ya know for the kids.”
Two person band The Burnouts from Contoocook,
NH, started the show and warmed up the crowd
with their unique sound of fast-paced guitar riffs
and heavy drum beats, similar to that of Green Day,
Rancid or Bad Religion.
Chodus, from Claremont, NH, took the stage
next and killed it with their own interpretation of
alternative punk. In August 2013, two 13 year old
kids with no ambition, a shitty guitar, non-existent
drums and no bass player, became known officially
as Chodus. Lead singer and guitarist Loren David
Howard, got serious about his music after the pass-
Winter • 2015