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■ Gottlieb
Gottlieb is touring in support of their debut album The Far Fallen Fruit (Quiet Panic). The band is known for being hardcore with post-punk and is very outspoken against police violence, ICE, and the billionaires.

■ Sophie’s Body
Sophie’s Body is a Boston-based “bubble-grunge” band known for blending early 2000s pop-punk melodies with heavy, riff-driven guitar rock. Frontwoman Sophie McMinn grew up in New York City training as a classical vocalist and violinist before moving to Boston and transitioning into the DIY grunge scene.

■ Jax Punx
Jax Punx organizes the Under the Bridge concerts in Jacksonville, Florida. Not to be confused with the Punk in Jacksonville document and archive, also named Jax Punx

Thanks to The Fest (now in its 24th year), in nearby city Gainesville, Florida, we got some spillover bands, happy to make a stop in Jacksonville. Jax Punx organized this incredible free show, that includes four bands, art jams, fanzines, political messages (anti-ICE/anti-racisms), free stuff, and supporting the community. By the people, for the people.

The venue, under the Fuller Warren Bridge at the St Johns River, is a unique space that is own and operated by the city of Jacksonville. In the daytime (10am to 3pm), the area hosts the Riverside Arts Market.

A lot of fans came in costumes (I guess it’s close enough to Halloween). I met some cool folks, including an artist named Zack Dunn, who draws on Post Office mailing stickers, and some fans who drove to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend Shaky Knees Music Festival and was blown away by Sophie’s Body that they had to come to this Jax Punx show to see them again. Just personally speaking, but based on the long lineup to buy merchandise out of Sophie’s car trunk, I would have to guess that these were existing or newly converted fans. That’s amazing to see.

First band on the bill was local band Miracle Pill, making their second Jax Punx show. The trio features Vanessa on vocals, Casey on drums, and Will “the Crow” on guitars. Highlight of their set inviting two very small children, who Vanessa said were her “biggest fans” on stage to help sing a song.

Next up was False Cape, an indie/alternative band from Virgina Beach. The quartet features Kris Doucette on vocals and guitars, Anthony Pitts on bass, Steven Green on lead guitars, and Nathaniel Smith on drums. I can relate to some of their songs, such as “i dnt wanna go to work anymore” and “Popeyes Chicken Iz Da Shiznit” (it’s true, especially the spicy chicken).

Based on the hype from the Shaky Knee folks, I was most excited to check out Sophie’s Body. Unfortunately, temperature dropped and it started raining really bad during their set. There were gaps in the bridge, which had rain coming down on the equipment on stage, so Jax Punx and crew had to rush in to disable all the lights and had umbrellas protecting the equipment. The bad weather was not a good experience, but that didn’t stop singer/guitarist Sophie McMinn, drummer Dylan Hughes, bassist (and sometime bubble blaster) Harry Van Der Meer, and guitarist Adam Hurt, from rocking out and launching into “Baby Don’t You (Baby)”, followed by new tracks their debut album, Zero. This show was the last date on their Rocktober tour, meaning it will be a long drive back to their home in Boston.

Gottlieb closed out the show. The punk band (singer Andrew Pescara, bassist Dylan Marquez, guitarist Mike Carnarius, and drummer Dave Chessey) is from Los Angeles. They’re probably known for being very outspoken against police violence, ICE, fascism, and billionaires. You know, all punk bands!

Highlight of their set was a confederate flag was brought on stage, I think during “American Blood”, which singer Andrew Pescara started to wipe his ass with it. Then proceeded to tear up the flag and denounced its symbol for slavery and white supremacy. Pescara would later find a piece of the torn flag and made a noose around his neck, just powerful stuff.

Gottlieb is heading to The Fest today (Sunday, October 25), and then closing out with a Halloween show homecoming show at Garden Amphitheatre (on October 31), in California.

Jax Punx