Details:
On Saturday, July 22nd we proudly presented our first ever Cassette Culture Celebration, a historic first for Columbus. The festival was created by local historian Jeff Chenault, who also conducted a seminar on the History of Columbus Electronic Music. It took Jeff two years to plan this event so that all the major players could attend. It celebrated Cassette Culture and the spirit of DIY from the early 1980’s and beyond. Guests include Chris Phinney (Harsh Reality Music, Mental Anguish), Hal McGee, certified guru of HalTapes and a multitude other labels, Jeff Chenault (ITN/Exoteque Music), and Knox Mitchell (Green Tapes, Easy Listening). Performers also included Gates of Janus (Detroit), Envenomist (Columbus), and Full Load of King (Cuyahoga Falls).
This event was a who’s who of DIY cassette culture and noise!!! Jerry Kranitz, author of the book Cassette Culture – Homemade Music and the Creative Spirit in the Pre-Internet-Age also headed a panel discussion with Hal, Chris, and Jeff. They screened two documentaries on Cassette Culture: The Great American Cassette Masters by William Davenport and Grindstone Redux by Andrew Szava-Kovats, which ran continuously throughout the festival. In addition, there were vendors selling cassettes, books, displays of vintage tapes, and original artworks.
Festival schedule
THEATRE #1
The Great American Cassette Masters by William Davenport
Grindstone Redux by Andrew Szava-Kovats
Films will run continuously from 12pm-10pm throughout the day.
THEATRE #2
12pm – Attack and Decay; The History of Columbus Electronic Music by Jeff Chenault
1pm – Full Load of King (Andrew Izold)
2pm – Envenomist (David Reed)
3pm-5pm – Jerry Kranitz Panel Discussion with Hal McGee, Chris Phinney, and Jeff Chenault
5-6pm BREAK
6pm – Central Inhabitants (Jeff Central)
6:30pm – John M. Bennett (surprise visit)
7pm – Skull Vacuum (Chris Phinney and Jeff Central, with special guest Knox Mitchell
8pm – Gates of Janus (Knox and Otho)
9-10pm – Hal McGee, Chris Phinney, and Jeff Central Super Jam Session