06 Apr 2018

The Set List:

Damaged City Fest: Founder Chris Moore and Radioactivity’s Jeff Burke

Since its formation back in 2013, the annual Damaged City Fest has become a staple of the DC punk scene bringing bands and fans from all over the world to our nation’s capital. This year, the festival runs from April 5-8 with hardcore punk at the All Souls Unitarian Church, Black Cat, and Hole In The Sky. Highlights include Limp Wrist’s first DC show in 12 years, Turnstile, Radioactivity, and tons of other local, national, and international bands. For the full lineup, schedule, and to purchase some of the few remaining tickets, visit their site here.

The Set List had the chance to chat with Chris Moore, the founder of the festival and member of DC punk band Coke Bust, as well as Jeff Burke, the lead vocalist of Radioactivity, ahead of the event.

When I caught up with Moore over the phone, all things Damaged City and the DC scene were at the top of the list.

The idea of Damaged City Fest came about on a long overnight drive in Europe while on tour with Coke Bust. Moore explained that the main idea was to create a big show featuring lots of DC bands as well as larger groups that wouldn’t normally come to the area in an effort to showcase what the local scene had to offer. As Moore has been on both the band and the business side of festivals at this point, he has created an event that brings a much-needed welcoming and intimate vibe to the scene and allows both the bands and the fans to enjoy the festival atmosphere.

While the punk scene was not always particularly welcoming for Moore growing up, the community has been fairly supportive of the festival over the years. While Moore explains that he is grateful for all of the welcoming local venues, he admits that a stable DIY arts space is exactly what the scene needs. The space could have the potential to become a pillar of the music community and bring opportunity to bands and fans of all ages.

While Moore is excited to see staples such as Limp Wrist and Radioactivity at the festival, about both of which he fangirled for a few minutes on the phone, he is also excited to see a lot of the young and upcoming bands on the lineup.

Image courtesy of the artist

Radioactivity and their high-energy, catchy punk hailing from Texas is headed to DC for the festival this weekend. I caught up with frontman Jeff Burke over the phone about the roots of the band, influences, and what’s in store for 2018.

Though Burke grew up around music and was involved with his local punk scene, he started playing music more as a hobby than a life goal.  He’s since been in a variety of different bands including The Marked Men, Lost Balloons, and now Radioactivity, all of which have played into the band’s current sound. Burke’s lyrics have also been influenced by his time living in Japan; both the exposure to international punk bands and the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake changed his outlook on things.

According to Burke, Radioactivity is almost finished recording their new music. The new album is set to be released this fall with a US tour to follow. Catch Radioactivity’s set TODAY Friday, April 6 at the Black Cat.

Don’t miss all of your favorite punk bands at DC’s Damaged City Fest this weekend!

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