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SALT LAKE CITY — Graywhale's music library consists of many genres of music, like Punk, Country, Hip-Hop, and Indie, in CD and vinyl form. On June 22, the once average record store in Taylorsville is transformed into a rock & roll concert paradise. An employee said "We do occasional half hour sets with some bands, but the Crucial Fest is the biggest concert we've done."
Crucial Fest strikes again, bringing over 70 local and regional rock bands to the Salt Lake area for the second year in a row.
There's a lot to the name Crucial Fest. Jesse Cassar, one of the three men responsible for bringing this two week event to Utah, explains what inspired the name.
"I attribute it to the fact that it's crucial for the small rock and roll community in Salt Lake to have an opportunity to feel like they're a part of something. It's important to all the bands involved that they can do this."
Jarom Bischoff, another one of the three founders talked about how an inside joke played its role for the name as well.
"[Our friend] holds a 'crucial barbecue' every year and when we record with him we're always laying down 'crucial jams', so it's kind of just a funny word that everyone throws around, and [we] like the double meaning."
The first band of the day, Philosophist from Salt Lake, had a dark, heavy sound that is the epitome of metal today. As they broke down after their electrifying set, Philosophist's lead singer Darren Watts said he and his two bandmates rely on the Crucial Fest in order to perform.
"We haven't performed in almost a year. But it's stuff like this that gives us opportunities to show our music for the community." Watts said. Unfortunately for him and others, this is not uncommon with local bands.
Starvist, another local band, performed soon after. Their lead singer and drummer Chase Cluff came with high spirits and multiple bruises, as he suffered a snowboarding accident the day before, leaving both of his wrists broken. That didn't stop him from performing, as he made up for his lack of drumming by duct taping the microphone to one of the two casts he had on.
Bischoff, one of the Crucial Fest organizers, filled in as drummer, proving how tight this community is, being able to play quite flawlessly with the band at the last minute. Crucial Fest also played host to Starvist's CD release party.
For the full schedule and list of bands for this week, visit www.exigentrecords.com, as well as their Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.
The first week is complete, but the rest of the fest will commence again Wednesday June 27 at 8 p.m. at The Woodshed in Salt Lake for the 21 and over crowd. The last day of the festival, Saturday June 30, will be a street fair on Kilby Court in Salt Lake City, featuring vendors, artists, non-profits, and food, followed by a final show at the Urban Lounge at 9 p.m.
For the full schedule and list of bands for this week, visit www.exigentrecords.com, as well as their Facebook and Twitter pages for more information. Cassar ensures that week two will be sure to "Melt your faces, and your hearts."
