Back to RustFests Page Star Lake RustFest (Pittsburg, September 3, 1996)Your Host - Rob Gumby HillardPre-Fest NoticeThe Fest Call was put out by Rob Gumby Hillard.... Rusty friends: Fest Report(Also see the Show Reviews)After weeks of looking forward to Crazy Horse's return to Western PA, the day was finally upon us. Having put up over $2000 for the Star Lake Rust Row, I was relieved knowing the row was sold out and all the necessary money had changed hands. Now to ensure our evening was in keeping with the Rust tradition, I had also volunteered to set up a RustFest for the Rusties who would be attending the show at Star Lake. I'll start with a list of the folks who would join the Fest over the span of the evening (at least all those who's names or handles I can remember):
Since it was a work day for most of us, it was a bit late getting started, but shortly after I hoisted the Gumby windsock into the air, the Rusties began to gather: Sleeps With Angels and her husband were the first to arrive with their More Barn T's. There was also Allen T., Substitute, Tom D from Sector Z, Danny O from WVa, the Riddler, and assortment of other unidentified folks. Jay M. brought the cigars. Bob and Andy from the Warren Tribune stopped by, having seen the info on the HyperRust Never Sleeps web site. Bob was kind enough to bring along some photos he had taken of Neil over the years, at shows both in PA and OhighO. It was an impressive collection, and he was kind enough to give out his phone number to folks who were interested in getting a few pix for their collection. These two new friends were also happy to assist in bringing our two resident tapers into the show through the press gate. Tapes and lists were exchanged, food was munched, brews were guzzled, cigars were smoked, as were some other bones of a more handmade variety. We opted to listen to the opening acts from outside, heading in once Steve Earle had taken the stage. Arriving at the Rust Row, there was an onslaught of introductions, and faces to put with what had previously only been names: Cherry (MORE BARN!), Captain Kennedy (MORE BARN!), Southern Man (OPL T-shirt), Kevin O, pUNK, the two Ken Bs... many more I'm probably forgetting. The show itself was outstanding, with Neil and the Horse coming Out of the Blue with an intensely powerful head of steam, and Rocking us In and out of the Free World throughout the night. Highlights were an incredible Cortez and a wonderful Dangerbird. Both the regular set and the second encore set ended with a blast of "old feedblack" distortional mayhem that turned me inside out and bashed my brain into the ground. First it was Like a Hurricane (and that it was), then Rockin In the Free World, a message that still rings in my ears several weeks later. After the show, a few folks reconvened at my car, not wanting to let the night Slip Away too soon. We finished the food and the last cold brews, then it was time to say Hey Hey, bye bye... until the smell of the horse blows this way again. Gumby Back to The Rust List page Back to HyperRust Home Page |