This weekend local record label Wayward Parade and indie dive bar Propaganda compete for asphalt space in Lake Worth. The upstart Palm Beach County-based label is teaming up with Propaganda and throwing a two-day music festival amidst all the chalk art glory that is the Street Painting Festival. Besides booking a stellar lineup inside the local haunt, Wayward Parade Music Festival is also spilling outside onto J Street, where Sergio Witis and his Wayward Crew have booked bands to perform free.
See also
- Photos: Everymen's Benefit Show for Cowboy at Propaganda
"It's perfect timing," said the engaging frontman for crusty swamp punk troupe Everymen. Witis, who goes by the stage name Capt'n Bobo, is part owner of Wayward Parade, along with the Darling Sweets main sweetie Lindsey Sayre, and tattoo impresario John Wylie, proprietor of Aces High Tattoo in West Palm Beach and Black Rose Tattoo in Deerfield Beach.
Witis tells us the bands performing on J Street are a bit of a surprise, as they are not listed on any flyers or on the Facebook event page. He tells us the Wayward Festival is all about showing appreciation for the fans support, and having bands perform free outside is just another facet of that appreciation.
It has been a good year so far for Witis' label. "I feel proud of what we are doing, last year we were struggling to make ends meet, this year we are struggling to have enough time to do everything."
Witis is delighted with the work done by likeminded, bluegrass punks Rickett Pass, a Rockwood, Michigan act whom Witis signed on Wayward. The folk-inspired quartet just released its debut with the label on iTunes, and is "working its ass off," on the road, according to Witis.
He was also excited about, S.S. WEB, a Johnny Cash meets Dropkick Murphys outfit from Milwaukee that is their newest signee. "They are so fucking awesome," explains Witis about S.S. Web, who is also on tap to be releasing a new album with Wayward.
Witis says that they have a different philosophy than other labels, instead of forcing bands to commit to years on end, Wayward Parade only signs bands for one record. "We don't want any bands feeling like they are stuck with us for life," Witis says. "We only ask for one record and instead of taking all the merchandise rights, we ask each act to submit artwork to Wayward."
The label looks for bands that are willing to pull their own weight. Each act "bad-asses," in their respective cities, according to Witis. He says this works out brilliantly for acts, because he'll arrange touring acts to get support from groups like S.S. Web ad Rickett Pass, who are immensely popular in their hometowns.
Somehow, Witis still carves out time to work on a new album with Everymen. Since hooking up with new drummer Marvin Ray Hawkins, the band has been completely re-engergized according to Witis. The group has just about finished a new record in the studio, which will be much more diverse than Evermen's past work. "Our first record, we were just learning to record, second we grew musically, on our third, people can expect some surprises," assures Witis.
Everymen headlines the second day at the fest, which will also features the aforementioned S.S. Web, Carry Nation and the Speakeasy, the Darling Sweets, and a set from Viva La Vox's front man's Tony Bones. Along with something about a drum line, Witis assures was that there will also be plenty of other surprises on Saturday night.
Wayward Parade Music Festival, Friday February 22, and Saturday February 23 at Propaganda. Tickets cost $5 dollars each day. For more info visit here.
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