FYF 2012: F---ed Up, Dam-Funk, Lovely Bad Things on L.A's Most Diverse Fest

FYF returns to Los Angeles on Saturday (Sept. 1), featuring headlining performances by electronic acts Gold Panda, Simian Mobile Disco and M83, alongside reunions from two of hardcore punk's most revered acts, Quicksand and Refused.

Though the festival has suffered some logistical hiccups in its nine-year history, after partnering with Coachella promoter Goldenvoice, last year's event was smooth sailing, and this year's lineup is one of the best of the year.

"This is like the collection of everyone's musical past, present, and future. I don't know where to begin," says Fucked Up drummer Jonah Falco. "Psyched to see Redd Kross and probably dance the bleachey pogo, watch Big Tony fronting Turbonegro, finally witness King Tuff, and get down to the Vaselines. And that's leaving out lots."
The bill boasts a varied selection of rock and electronic acts, from John Maus and Nicolas Jaar to Converge and Lightning Bolt, as well comedy performances by David Cross, Eric Andre and Maria Bamford.

"It really means a lot to us to be playing FYF," local garage favorites Lovely Bad Things add. "We feel privileged to be included in this amazing lineup with bands we've listened to for ages, like Dinosaur Jr., the Vaselines, and Hot Snakes, as well as our friends' bands like FIDLAR and Papa. It's an awesome feeling that's somewhere in between being right at home and being on another planet."


The bands we polled expressed excitement about seeing a wide range of acts perform, speaking to the diversity of FYF's curating.

"I'm especially looking forward to seeing Beirut and Yeasayer play. I do a Beirut cover in my set sometimes," multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi's tells Spinner.

Meanwhile, a succinctly worded email exchange with Dam-Funk reveals that L.A.'s "Ambassador of Boogie Funk" has more electronic-leaning tastes, as he lists "John Maus. DJ Harvey. And Nite Jewel ... because Ramona G. is real + hot" amongst his picks for the event.

Perhaps most notable, FYF marks the return of post-hardcore legends Quicksand, a band we'd previously only seen perform on VHS.

"Performing with Quicksand sees us nearly hitting for the cycle with [frontman] Walter Schreifels," Fucked Up's Jonah Falco reveals. "We've played with Gorilla Biscuits and Rival Schools already (and I played with YOT, once even though he wasn't there), now that we've got Quicksand, all we need is Moondog and we've got a complete set!"

Our jealousy is assuaged by the knowledge that, although our tastes may have migrated a bit since the '90's, this weekend we'll finally see Quickand with Converge, Refused, American Nightmare, Lightning Bolt, Fucked Up, and a slew of our favorite new dance/electronic acts, an event we could never have predicted, nor hoped for.

Get psyched!

2012's 10 Best Music Festivals

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