Floodstock The welcome return of Summerfest by Bob Gulla

OK, so it’s not exactly summer, as in pre-Labor Day, but it can still get pretty hot in September. And fortunately for local fans, the music can, too. At least that’s what Mike McNamara’s hoping for when the Second Annual Summerfest goes down this weekend at the confluence of the Call and the Century Lounge. McNamara, who heads up the band Floodwaters and the firm Floodwaters Entertainment, has taken it upon himself and a few other workhorses to present what appears to be the city’s biggest one-day/one-spot local rock music fest.

"Anxious? Yeah, I’m extremely anxious, apprehensive, and all that," admits McNamara. "We feel totally responsible for the success or failure of this thing. If something does go wrong, there’s no one else to blame!"

And it’s not like laying out the logistics for this City-stock has gone smoothly thus far. In the post-Station fire club climate, safety is a mega-issue, an overarching concern that dominates every other issue relating to live music. And when you’re talking about closing off a few streets and having 32 bands take to the stage during the course of a 12-hour stretch, well, it’s a lot to swallow, especially for a state and a music community still in shock. Is all that fear justifiable? Most of you know that answer.

"The city almost shut us down," Mike says matter-of-factly. "We only found out two weeks ago that we got an outdoor permit."

Last year, the shindig proved to be no problem. The band met with a few politicians, filed the necessary paperwork, and got the big ol’ stamp of approval from City Hall. This year, no such luck. "The Waterfront Festival got shut down already this summer, so dealing with events like this with the city is simply a nightmare, much more of a process," McNamara says.

The organization would have gotten the thumbs-down had they not filed last year as a charitable, non-profit organization looking to promote local music. "Had we not done that, I wouldn’t be talking to you right now," Mike says.

Last year, at Summerfest’s debut, with very little publicity, or, for that matter, organization, the event was attended by roughly 700 people. This year, the gang expects twice as many listeners. They’ve invested in advertising and marketing, and enlisted some skilled helping hands, like Illustrious Day’s Jackie O’Brien, to enable the event to progress to the next level. But realizing that potential means hiring a police force of 10, as compared with two officers last year. The security alone will cost the organizers $4000.

"We want it to be safe, so it’s a good thing," says Mike, trying to put a positive spin on the number-crunching. "I don’t want there to be any badmouthing or possible problems. We obviously are very anxious to have the whole thing go smoothly."

Floodwaters Entertainment raised thousands to promote the event. Some of that cash flowed in from the bands scheduled to play the event. One of the requirements to play this year was that bands had to bring in a sponsor, or sponsor themselves for $150. (Floodwaters has also invested thousands in the event.) If you couldn’t bring in that fee, you weren’t eligible, and if you were late getting the money in, you lost your slot. "It got pretty sticky in some cases," says Mike. "But people have to realize we’re serious. We didn’t feel like we were asking too much, and we really want to do this thing right."

That said, beyond the politics and the typical band-type squabbles, everything else has moved along nicely. Floodwaters and McNamara have publicized Summerfest successfully on local radio, they purchased a highly visible billboard on Route 10 and, unlike last year, have been able to generate much more than mere word-of-mouth publicity.

In addition to the bands digging up a good amount of scratch, Magic Hat, a Vermont boutique brewery, has joined on as one of the fest’s prime sponsors. "Last year we threw it all together in just a few months," Mike admits. "But we’ve been working on this since January. There was a lot of politics to get through."

Of course, Floodwaters and everyone else who pitched in to make Summerfest happen know that every effort made to get this thing off the ground is worth it. Not only does it assemble nearly three dozen of the area’s finest bands, it exposes new people to great music — and, best of all, allows the city’s local music scene to come together in one place at one time, with one unifying spirit.

"Last year, there was this hippie vibe that I never anticipated," says McNamara. "I couldn’t believe it was happening. The security patrolman said it was the best detail he’d ever had: no fights, no arguments, no conflicts, just some great rock and roll. And I expect the same vibe this year."

With no other festivals of this magnitude on the horizon, Summerfest could step up as one of the year’s most anticipated local music happenings. And with so many "music fans" here seemingly content to hear cover bands or bliss out at dance clubs, we sure could use a "happening" to get the state back on its rock and roll feet.

For information about the Second Annual Summerfest, a completelisting of bands and set schedules, go to www.floodwaters.net/summerfest.htm. There will be a barbecue and food vendors, as well as band merch and goodies. It’s an all-ages show and tix are $7 in advance (available at website) or $10 at the venue.

Wandering Eye. Congratulations to the Wentworths and the folks who helped assemble the sixth annual Rhythm & Roots festival last weekend. Not only was the event a success, it seems to get better and better each year. Hell, they even know how to order the weather, some hoodoo vibe they might wanna sell to the Newport folks. Anyway, the three-day event was very well-attended, and it’s obvious that the fest is fast becoming a highlight of the concert season, with people from all over the country in attendance. Though I was only able to get to Charlestown on Sunday, the atmosphere, the music, and the spirit were all phenomenal. Dancing abounded on two huge dance floors. Zydeco rocker Geno Delafose, miraculous guitarist Sonny Landreth, Big Sandy, and Little Feat all played outstanding sets. But the real surprise came in the form of La Bottine Souriante, a Quebec outfit that combined the rapturous ragtime horns of early New Orleans R&B, the folk traditions of Nova Scotia, and salty sea shanties, all with an incredible electricity that jolted the early evening crowd. Rhythm & Roots continues to be Labor Day’s most worthwhile destination.

On Friday (the 5th), WCNI (90.9 FM), Ground Zero Radio in New London, Connecticut will present three bands that require you to dance your ass off. The Cankickers, washboard-smashing punks who wear their "folk as fuck" badge proudly, bizarre but cool found-noise rockers Neptune, and garage rockers Tunnel of Love will all do their thang. Mahavishnu Jim (Call Me Roger) deejays the event. It takes place at the Polish American Club (51 Central Avenue). The show starts at 8 p.m. For more info, go to www.cniradio.org

Music news is welcome at big.daddy1@cox.net