The very confusingly titled SMMR BMMR festival is happening this weekend at Rotture, and I’m far from bummed. Boasting probably the most pretentious line-up of any festival this year, SMMR BMMR proves to be the hippest place on earth this coming weekend. Hip for a reason however, as the artists they’ve brought together for this year’s festival are some of the best in SMMR BMMR history. The more I look over the line-up, the more I find that excites me. In an effort to illustrate that excitement I’ve thrown together a short hand list of bands (with MP3s) that I cannot wait to see. It’s rare to get so many small acts together in this city, and this is one of many reasons SMMR BMMR is not to be missed!

Graffiti Island – Wolf Guy
I’ve only had the chance to spin Graffiti Island’s Head Hunters 7″ a few times, but from those 6 or so minute sessions I can safely say that they are my most anticipated set at this year’s SMMR BMMR festival. Of course, their being on tour with one of my favorites, Crocodiles, also intrigues me.

Christmas Island – Bed Island
Christmas Island are the nerd version of Graffiti Island. Their music evokes the same distant monotony, but Christmas Island comes off as a lot less serious, less heavy. That they only have a few songs floating around the internet makes their live set seemingly your best way to take in as much of their music as you can.

Ganglians – 100 Years

Ganglians – Violent Brave
Much ado about Ganglians on the internet this year. I haven’t yet been swept off my feet by anything they have to offer, but hopefully that will change this weekend when I finally catch em live.

Eat skull – Stick To The Formula

Eat Skull – Shredders On Fry
I was once advised to skip an Eat Skull show on the opinion that they get too drunk to preform properly. This of course peaked my interest more than it served to dissuade me from attending. What a show. French fries were thrown, drool was spilled etc… I’ve seen Eat Skull in both Chicago and Portland, and I’ll say, they really bring it for their home-town. I’m here to oppose the recommendation I received, and encourage you not to miss this show.

Sic Alps – Bathman
The little I’ve heard from ____’s Sic Alps alone has me looking forward to the weekend. Certainly in keeping with the overall tone of SMMR BMMR, Sic Alps offer a variety of tracks ranging from outright melodic to straight noise; all of which I’m very much enjoying.

Fergus & Geronimo – Harder Than It’s Ever Been

Fergus & Geronimo – Tell It (In My Ear)
Being from Portland, I can’t help but instantly think of the Exploding Hearts when listening to Fergus and Geronimo. They’re somehow another band making music on Woodsist records, and somehow another excellent example of that label’s ear for talent. This is definitely a must see for me this weekend.

Pure Country Gold – Yellow Bubbles

Pure Country Gold – You Got To Bro Up To Bro Down

Pure Country Gold – Lady Low
Not quite true to their name, Pure Country Gold are a ramshackle bunch of punk rockers who maybe, somewhere deep down, gather influence from the old west. If the influence isn’t apparent in their music, they at least allude to it in their lyrics. After having listened to their Yellow Bubbles 7″ 100 times, I’m left wondering why the hell Old Time Relijun isn’t playing SMMR BMMR!!? Pure Country Gold will do though, and if their music suggests anything its that this weekend will be, at the very least, fun for the duration of their set.

White Fang – Tall Shadow

White Fang – Space Gemz

White Fang – The Roar Of The Plesiosaur
What more can I say about White Fang that hasn’t already been said. They make it a point to entertain, and in doing so happen to play some extremely catchy and rewarding songs. They’re some of the coolest kids in Portland, and it’s no coincidence they make some of the coolest music we’ve got. If you haven’t already seen em, now’s your chance.

SMMR BMMR is taking place August 21st-23rd at Rotture (315 SE 3rd Ave) in Portland or USA.
Check the full schedule out right here.