"I'd rather have horse leg, pig ass, rabbit soup and Kool-Aid," says guitarist Onk Akimel, whose band, Diana Ross Brigade, will unleash metal music that's like "a cheese grater to the penis" (ouch!) on one of two festival stages.
Thankfully, the two-day festival begins with gentler vibes on Friday, September 23, as 17 DJs -- including Antedote, Element, Hyder, Organic, and Senbad -- jockey the jams, while dance troupes like Furious Styles Crew, Mellow Drama, and Native Vibe Dancers manifest the melodies. There will also be speakers, workshops, and an art exhibit featuring works by Lalo, Zokes, Serk, Dumperfoo, Alpha Monsters, and others.
Things get hardcore on Saturday, September 24, as more than 20 bands rock the rez with audio assaults of "tribal, crust, punk, and grind." In addition to Diana Ross Brigade, the bill includes Resistant Culture, Snot Rokitz, Call the Cops, Conflict Resolution, Seveer Tire Damage, We Fly Our Kites At Night, D-Sect, Coughing Up Blood, Autonomy, and Life Crisis.
The boffo bash serves as a benefit for the O'odham people living near the Mexico border who have been affected by the wall that is being built across their traditional territory. Many musicians volunteered primarily for the cause, including Onk Akimel (pictured). But after playing the first RezFest with another band two years ago, he also wants to show off the punishing soundscapes of DRB. "I have returned with a new band, a mightier band, a band so strong we make Mike Tyson look like Steve Urkel," he says, quickly adding, "Please don't tell Mike Tyson I said that."
