Seattle provides a brand new competition to its yearly actions with 206 Blast Fest, a brand new grindcore and powerviolence competition hosted by Audio/Violence Productions. Staring tomorrow, February 9, and working by way of Saturday, February 10, 206 Blast Fest options 22 completely different units from bands like Endorphins Misplaced, Sidetracked, Noose Sweat and Impulse Noise.

Promoter Chook Arzoumanian explains that they began presenting native reveals for touring acts since 2023. The inspiration for 206 Blast Fest got here from Arzoumanian’s need to see Seattle, and the state of Washington in basic, grow to be a vacation spot spot for touring grindcore and powerviolence bands.

“I believe the fundamental inspiration for reserving a competition is the California grind/powerviolence scene,” they clarify. “It appeared like day-after-day there’s a lit present, fest or tour announcement that solely pertains to Californians. That’s nice and I’m glad for them, however myself and lots of others can’t afford journeys all the way down to Cali each week so I needed to toss something up right here. What made me need to throw 206 Blast Fest was the need to offer WA grind/powerviolence followers the fest they need, to showcase as a lot native/regional bands as doable and to point out the grind/PV neighborhood that Washington is price a tour cease.”

206 Blast Fest is a totally DIY endeavor, with the bulk of the work and group falling on Arzoumanian. It’s a considerable amount of work however it’s price it to the promoter, who says 206 Blast Fest isn’t only a one-off occasion.

“This complete fest is DIY and unbiased. I don’t have any workers or structured methods. It’s simply me, my pocket book, and my laptop. As an Fest Organizer, I not solely have preserve monitor of the bands, however the backline, venue particulars, presales and gross sales, and a myriad of small but necessary particulars. It may be overwhelming to get all the pieces sorted and double test your self, however good work at all times will get rewarded. I don’t know what I’d do in a different way but, clearly there may be at all times room for enchancment although and I might be trying into methods to make working and attending 206 Blast Fest a greater expertise the subsequent time it comes round.”

Arzoumanian says that the Washington grindcore scene is properly represented on 206 Blast Fest, that includes almost all of the scene’s staple bands, however seems like there’s a disconnect to be bridged between informal and hardcore followers of maximum music.

“We have now a variety of bands, almost all of them are taking part in the fest, all stuffed with insanely passionate and proficient individuals. Nonetheless, post-covid, a variety of the new individuals into steel, hardcore, and many others. haven’t had it absolutely click on with them but. We’ll get huge crowds for huge bands like Hong Kong Fuck You and World Peace however battle a bit for a smaller one-off payments.”

By occasions like 206 Blast Fest and thru the efforts of different promoters like Illness drummer Jim Wright, Arzoumanian says the future is brilliant.

“With out him, there would most likely be no grind/PV in the space, interval,” the promoter says. “I’m very excited to see the scene develop this 12 months and subsequent 12 months, I really feel prefer it’s gonna be a fantastic 12 months or two for grind.”

Tickets for 206 Blast Fest can be found by way of Audio/Violence Productions’ Instagram.

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