Monday, August 24, 2009

VexFest 6: Musicians focus on camaraderie

By Sarah Poulton

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YOUNGSTOWN — VexFest 6, as in past years, proved to be filled with local talent and diverse genres.

Only at a festival such as this would The Young Stonians share a stage with Gingerspittz, Subourbon Sun precede Throwback and a 39-year-old father play a drum solo beside his 13-year-old son. An environment like this is what festival organizers were going for, and that’s what they got.

Jason Tibolla of Third Arm Promotions, who was involved in the planning of the free, all ages festival, says he was pleased with the both the crowd and the performances. He says aside from two minor glitches — Rosella’s drummer got lost on his way to the festival and the laser light show was delayed — everything went smoothly.

“The day’s been fantastic,” Tibolla says. “... I have 2-year-olds here and 70-year-olds here. The people of Youngstown have definitely embraced the event.”

Local musicians, both performers and spectators, say the event was the perfect way to say goodbye to summer.

Away From Eden drummer Mike Ezzo, who was recently featured in a Valley24.com article, says this was a special day for him. Ezzo and his son, Zack Haefke, had the opportunity to perform a four minute drum solo before the band’s 8:20 p.m. set. Ezzo says they spent the past couple of months composing and arranging the solo. This is Zack’s first live performance, he says.

“It’s a milestone for me being one of the oldest guys [performing] and an honor for me to play with my son and all of these bands,” Ezzo says. “It’s a good thing when everyone comes together. Something good always happens.”

Zack, who was a little nervous at first, took to the stage with ease. His excitement contagious inside Barleys, and at the end of the solo, fans cheered and yelled for the first-time drummer.

Though his father doesn’t allow him to swear, Ezzo gave permission for Zack’s statement: “It was fun and exciting. A guy walked by me and said I kicked ass.”

Robbie Jay of the Robbie Jay Band, who played a mid-afternoon set inside Downtown 36, says because of family and personal reasons, the band almost didn’t play the festival. He says out of respect for the city, which has supported them for nearly a year and a half, they decided to play and were glad they did.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Robbie Jay says. “It gives us a chance to hear bands we don’t get to play with because of genre differences and to appreciate what they do.”

Paul Sheehan of Dizzy Whore spent the day as a spectator, and says he thoroughly enjoyed himself. He says he’s not sure why his band didn’t submit to the festival, but looks forward to participating next year.

“With so many bands in walking distance, you can’t beat it,” Sheehan says. “You start getting cynical that there’s no interest in live music in the Valley. Then you go to something like this and see people interested [in the music.]”

VexFest veteran Frank Nolasco, formerly of Finding Mike Vagas and the recently disbanded Starlight Darlings, says he misses the camaraderie and backstage antics shared by performers, but it was nice to sit on the sidelines and watch the day go by. He says after being at the festival for four hours, he had at least six people ask him when he was performing. After being out for two years, he says he hopes to have a solid project that will submit for VexFest 7.

“The cool think about Vex is that you can see rock and hip-hop and pop,” Nolasco says. “The whole thing is to bring the community downtown... there’s something for everyone.”