Wakestock 2009 - 08.08.2009

Wakestock 2009 was moved up from the Toronto Islands to Centennial Park in Collingwood Ontario. It was a weekend of heat sometimes sweltering, sports wake boarding, skateboarding, bikinis and live music. Gracing the stages at this years event were Civet, Closet Monster,USS, Social Distortion,Rebel Emergency, Stereos, Fall and Divide and The Midway state among others. I have to say the turnout was a little disappointing . Saturday which was headlined by Social Distortion was the best day for attendance. Sunday may have been plagued by the threat of lousy weather however I do suspect the drive to Collingwood proved to be to much for some of the big smokes concert goers. At any rate those that did show up had a great time.

Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Day Two


The Midway State:
The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Midway State with their deep Collingwood roots closed off the event. Playing soungs from their debut album "Holes" the band put on a good performance for the remaining crowd.

The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
The Midway State at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr




Fall and Divide:
Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Another hometown hero and Canadian Idol Drew Wright and his band Fall and Divide played to a dwindling crowd. Although there was not that many people around to watch the show they definitely enjoyed their time on stage providing quite a few good photographic poses while playing songs from their upcomming album.

Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Fall and Divide at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr



Stereos:
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Stereos by far had the biggest crowd on closing Sunday. It was pretty evident the Edmonton quintet were who everyone was there to see on this day. Their hip hop/pop style was well appreciated by their fans.

Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Stereos at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr



Rebel Emergency:
Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


My personal Sunday favourite was Rebel Emergency. I had seen them back in December with USS at the Sound Academy so this was a set I was really looking forward to. They did well to warm up the small crowd with their blend of reggae/ska/rock.

If you've seen Rebel Emergency before you know about their distinct display of crowd surfing. Though this did wow the crowd it would have looked so much better if there were more people. That way front man Roddy would have had much more crowd to surf through. Check out the photo above. Rebel Emergency is having a cd release party for "Love Ain't Free" August 27 @ The Mod Club.

Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Rebel Emergency at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr




Day One

Social Distortion:
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Social Distortion closed of the Saturday performances. What can I say? These guys really brought it. The band has gone through quite a lot of lineup changes since they first stated out in the late seventies. Front man Mike Ness has been the only constant throughout the years. A great set from the live veterans.
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Social Distortion at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr



Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS):
USS at Wakestock 2009
USS at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


As always USS did not hold anything back. They always find a way to capture the audience through their music and stage performance. I'm hard pressed to think of anyone who has much more energy during a live performance than Human Kebab. They got the crowd going with their infections vibe, handstands, and cut outs (Ellen, Obama, Einstien). Great warm up for things to come.

USS at Wakestock 2009
USS at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


USS at Wakestock 2009
USS at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


USS at Wakestock 2009
USS at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr



Closet Monster:
Closet Monster at Wakestock 2009
Closet Monster at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Wakestock audience was treated to the first Closet Monster reunion show.
They had not played together since the end of 2005 and really seemed to enjoy themselves. There were a few closet monster fans on hand but it would have been nice to see more people pick up on the energy the band displayed.

Closet Monster at Wakestock 2009
Closet Monster at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Closet Monster at Wakestock 2009
Closet Monster at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr



Civet:
Civet at Wakestock 2009
Civet at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The first band I saw at Wakestock was the Los Angeles all girl punk band Civet. It was quite unfortunate that they played to such a small crowd. Civet had been touring for the last while with Social D and put on a really solid set. It will be nice to see them again soon in a smaller club with better attendance.

Civet at Wakestock 2009
Civet at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Civet at Wakestock 2009
Civet at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Civet at Wakestock 2009
Civet at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Skateboarder at Wakestock 2009
Skateboarder at Wakestock 2009
Originally uploaded by vasquezr